Skip to comments.
Gibson Receives Standing Ovation on Leno
NewsMax.com ^
| 2/27/04
| Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff
Posted on 02/26/2004 11:02:02 PM PST by kattracks
Mel Gibson appeared on Jay Lenos "Tonight Show" and was greeted by the live audience with a prolonged standing ovation.
Gibsons appearance on the top-rated late-night program came on the heels of new box office results showing that his new film, "The Passion of the Christ," may be one of the biggest hits of all time.
But box office success hasnt stopped controversy from swirling around the religious epic.
"Some people thought it was a bad idea," Gibson told Leno about his desire to do the movie on Jesus death. The actor said anytime one touches upon politics or religion, that person runs the risk of touching a nerve.
"I didnt expect to hit a main artery," Gibson said to chuckles from the audience.
Gibson said his film first germinated over a dozen years ago. He said he was unfazed about Hollywoods criticism of his work.
He said that he discovered in Tinseltown that "you can get a shiv between the shoulder blades and its done with a smile."
Still, Gibson said he was shocked by the "pre-judgment and condemnation which began over a year ago before anyone had even seen the film.
He told Americas favorite comedian that he was surprised by the attacks against him; including the charge he was an anti-Semite.
"Its wrong, its unconscionable, he said.
Leno questioned Gibson about the films violence.
Gibson readily admitted the film is violent and deserved the R-rating it received. But he added that the violence was not "gratuitous and, in his opinion, drew a different reaction from audiences who watch, for example, horror films.
Gibson said the films message is one of tolerance. He told Leno he chose actor James Caviezel to play Jesus because he projected both a childish innocence and masculinity consistent with the Biblical Jesus.
Gibsons decision to produce "Passion may have earned him at least one fan in Hollywood.
"Thanks for the courage of your convictions, Leno told Gibson as he concluded his interview.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: gibson; leno; passion
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 ... 141-153 next last
To: nutmeg
I have to admit that this movie makes me decidedly more optimistic concerning the culture wars.
Conservative media is just now achieving some measure of success that can be felt in the culture at large. For an opening salvo in film, Gibson has achieved something remarkable.
If this is an opening salvo, we know why liberals are in such a state concerning this film. They fear that no one will believe that tradition and traditional morality are to be dismissed as hopelessly trivial and against "progress."
To: nutmeg; Travis McGee
I think it was close to midnight. Leno's show starts around 11:30 or 11:35pm. Mel was Leno's first guest. He really did get a prolonged standing ovation, with thunderous applause... lots of hooting and cheering!Thanks!
22
posted on
02/26/2004 11:22:38 PM PST
by
ambrose
("John Kerry has blood of American soldiers on his hands" - Lt. Col. Oliver North)
To: ambrose
I -believe- he was the first guest. Not positive though. I just kinda had it on in the background and didn't pay attention till I heard him talking. I'm not sure what time it was. Sorry.
Qwinn
23
posted on
02/26/2004 11:25:13 PM PST
by
Qwinn
To: ambrose; nutmeg
Ditto!
24
posted on
02/26/2004 11:26:59 PM PST
by
Travis McGee
(----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
To: Reactionary
I have to admit that this movie makes me decidedly more optimistic concerning the culture wars. Same here. I'm actually kind of stunned over the whole thing. The statement below from this thread kind of says it all:
Mark Joseph, an entertainment executive in Los Angeles and author of the upcoming book "The Passion of Mel Gibson: The Story Behind the Most Controversial Film in Hollywood History," said the film industry is in shock.
"This town is rocking," he said, "wondering what it all means. This is the film everyone deemed unreleasable."
25
posted on
02/26/2004 11:30:00 PM PST
by
nutmeg
(Why vote for Bush? Imagine Commander in Chief John F’in Kerry)
To: mhking
Bump
Ping
26
posted on
02/26/2004 11:31:18 PM PST
by
Fiddlstix
(Tag Lines Repaired While You Wait! Reasonable Prices! Fast Service!)
To: bootless; CounterCounterCulture; doug from upland; HairOfTheDog; diotima
West coast heads up ping!
27
posted on
02/26/2004 11:31:19 PM PST
by
nutmeg
(Why vote for Bush? Imagine Commander in Chief John F’in Kerry)
To: kattracks
I missed the show but it sounds like Leno conducted a fair interview. It might have been tough for Jay, as he usually falls in line with the liberal Hollywood shot-callers and their cowardly minions. I bet he gets calls from some of those scumbags tonight and tomorrow complaining that:
1. He should never have let Gibson on his show, and/or
2. He should have demeaned and belittled Gibson and his movie.
28
posted on
02/26/2004 11:32:08 PM PST
by
Lancey Howard
(....and asked about his father, too.)
To: jtill; Brad's Gramma; Wphile; patriciaruth; mtngrl@vrwc; Joe Hadenuf; Bob J; Jim Robinson; ...
Wonderful!!! May God use this movie to change hearts and to encourage people to stand up for what they believe ... and to start rejecting the tripe that Hollywood produces.
29
posted on
02/26/2004 11:33:29 PM PST
by
kayak
(Medals do not make a man. Morals do.)
To: Lancey Howard
I think the success of the movie had a lot to do with the way Leno behaved.
I agree though that it was a chancy thing for him to do, and give him credit for it.
To: nutmeg
Of course they're "rocking." Being materialists of one sort or another - hedonists, atheists, Marxist egalitarians - Hollywood liberals don't have a convenient mental box for this film.
They will, of course, offer the usual knee-jerk bromide and chalk it up to the "stupidity of the American people."
Who could ask for more? As in the case of George Bush, liberals have made a mental prison for themselves that they cannot escape. They have no way of understanding the importance of events, so we are at a distinct advantage once again.
To: Bonaparte
Did their faces look something like this?
To: reformedcrat; sfRummygirl; AnnaZ; ALOHA RONNIE; Cinnamon Girl; geopyg
West coast heads up ping! Mel Gibson is the first guest on tonight's LENO show.
33
posted on
02/26/2004 11:37:47 PM PST
by
nutmeg
(Why vote for Bush? Imagine Commander in Chief John F’in Kerry)
To: kattracks
Most of Leno's guests get a standing ovation but the applause was great and I didn't hear one "boo."
34
posted on
02/26/2004 11:37:57 PM PST
by
mafree
To: nutmeg
Hope you tuned in long enough to catch this 'standing O' for Mel! Even I was surprised how incredibly well Mel was received from the usually left-leaning 'Tonight Show' audience. It must be driving the media elite crazy that they can't control public reaction. Gibson was supposed to be dead meat right now for having had the gall to make "The Passion of the Christ." Instead he's being acclaimed as someone with the courage of his convictions (and funny about it to boot).
35
posted on
02/26/2004 11:44:18 PM PST
by
DentsRun
To: Reactionary
If this is an opening salvo, we know why liberals are in such a state concerning this film. They fear that no one will believe that tradition and traditional morality are to be dismissed as hopelessly trivial and against "progress." Well, you're right. They thought Gibson's Christian admirers would fold like a cheap umbrella once they brought out the big guns and started firing off accusations of "Anti-Semitism" everywhere. Instead Christians stood up and said, "Hey, wait a minute, bud. What you're doing to Gibson is wrong.
36
posted on
02/26/2004 11:49:44 PM PST
by
DentsRun
To: Reactionary
They fear that no one will believe that tradition and traditional morality are to be dismissed as hopelessly trivial and against "progress."I think they fear a new "Great Awakening"
37
posted on
02/26/2004 11:53:34 PM PST
by
SuziQ
To: kattracks
Leno maybe a bleeding heart conservative.
38
posted on
02/26/2004 11:54:56 PM PST
by
Porterville
(Liberals want to break your heart, steal your money, mock your God and kill your dog.)
To: nutmeg
According to the above article, the ovation occurred when he came on.
I heard them cheering but didn't actually see the audience.
Mel smacked it outta the park, as usual.....:)
To: kattracks
I can't wait to see this film. God bless Mr. Gibson and his family richly...
40
posted on
02/26/2004 11:58:26 PM PST
by
ApesForEvolution
(FREE 3D Online Golf Game - Independent Reseller of the Week: http://egolfinternational.com/abg)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 ... 141-153 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson