Gibson Receives Standing Ovation on Leno

NewsMax.com ^ | 2/27/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Mel Gibson appeared on Jay Leno’s "Tonight Show" – and was greeted by the live audience with a prolonged standing ovation.

Gibson’s 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 hasn’t 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 didn’t 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 Hollywood’s criticism of his work.

He said that he discovered in Tinseltown that "you can get a shiv between the shoulder blades and it’s 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 America’s favorite comedian that he was surprised by the attacks against him; including the charge he was an anti-Semite.

"It’s wrong, it’s unconscionable,” he said.

Leno questioned Gibson about the film’s 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 film’s 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.

Gibson’s 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.

[Howlin]

Look, I am old: I like him because I can actually understand him. :-)

[Qwinn]

Well, okay, I'll still buy that he's not as bad as some out there, but he's still WAY WAY in the effete category.

Qwinn

[Qwinn]

I can understand Billy Joel. And as a big bonus, he doesn't dress in purple ;)

Qwinn

[Howlin]

They all have problems with Sony, don't they?

[The KG9 Kid]

"You're finished in this town, Gibson. You hear me? Through!"

Suuuure.

Once a hundred million-plus American women stop fantasizing about him, perhaps.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

How did this Article go from Mel Gibson to Prince the no named no name

Fickle i tell ya thier all fickle

[longtermmemmory]

Any chance of having Mel Gibson attend the RNC convention in NYC?

[hellinahandcart]

"This town is rocking," he said, "wondering what it all means. This is the film everyone deemed unreleasable."

It means most of us are sick of shelling out money to watch your crap. It means we're sick of seeing disfunction and perversion and ugliness packaged as virtue, and vice versa.

It means you should wonder why the only people you can reliably count on to fill the movie theatres are gullible teenagers looking for an adrenaline rush.

[hellinahandcart]

They will, of course, offer the usual knee-jerk bromide and chalk it up to the "stupidity of the American people."

Which they will then try to pander to by producing a slew of the most contrived, ham-handed and politically-correct Jesus movies that anyone can imagine.

They'll then wonder why those all flop at the box office, and again chalk it up to the stupidity of the American people...

[CasearianDaoist]

Yes, but if you looked at the project he could control there is a constant striving against the values of the Left. This time he did not go under the radar.

[longtermmemmory]

Actually this was supposed to be a little art film. Just an experimental film using ancient language. It was not concieved with having a 4000 screen opening. It was definitly NOT supposed to have a 27 million dollar opening day. It was not supposed to have repeat viewers.

[CasearianDaoist]

Still it gives me some hope. I think that at the root of our many problems is a lack of humility before God. We desperately need spiritual renewal in this nation. Most of us on FR hope for various renewals in this country - economic, political, intellectual, this list goes on and on - but until we can cast aside our vanity and arrogance we will never see this revitalization that we pray for.

I am amazed at the reception of Gibson on Leno (I did not see it, but I believe the reports.) It shows us that the Left's manipulation of the public has its limits. There is another lesson for artist to learn here: Never assume that you are smarter than your audience.

Matbe there is hope for us yet.

[VermiciousKnid]

I watched it last night. The crowd was definitely on its feet as Mr. Gibson was introduced, though they did settle down quickly after he gestured for them to sit.

Great interview, BTW...Gibson was funny and charming as usual and the lines about "hitting a main artery" and "they'll give you a shiv between the shoulder blades but they'll do it with a smile" were especially memorable.

And of course...Mel's a hottie (sorry, I can't help myself).

Regards,

[VermiciousKnid]

Oh, and don't forget: Jay's guest on Friday will be Jim Caviezel.

Regards,

[RightOnline]

"One of the best parts of this show was at the end, after Prince sang, he turned to Gibson and said, "Mel Gibson! Wanna catch a movie after we're done here?""

A bit of a little known fact: Prince is a lifelong Christian.

[Qwinn]

I must've just not been watching at that particular moment... great to hear! I could tell from the laughter and everything else that the crowd loved him, that was for sure. The hatred and bile doesn't seem to be making it off the editorial pages, much to Maureen Dowd's anger, I'm sure.

Qwinn

[InvisibleChurch]

2. He should have demeaned and belittled Gibson and his movie.

leave that to letterman ... he can be such a jrk

[longtermmemmory]

Beacon in the Dark.

[Aquinasfan]

Mel Gibson appeared on Jay Leno’s "Tonight Show" – and was greeted by the live audience with a prolonged standing ovation.

Culturally, this is a very significant event. The Spirit is moving. The tide is changing.

[Aquinasfan]

Who would ever have thought Mel would be the instrument to bring this profound movie to the public?

Not me. I didn't pay any money to support the "Mad Max" movies. But those who did somehow helped to advance God's plan.