FADE OUT: The Fall of the House of Mel

I don't feel sorry for Mel Gibson now that he's been revealed beyond much doubt to be an anti-Semite. It's good we know beyond rumblings and rumors. He probably deserves this public outing.

I do, however, feel sorry for us. The movie star Mel Gibson we've come to know after all these years and films has been a good friend. His on-screen persona was masculine, humorous, thrill-seeking and even, sometimes, important. He always seemed like he'd be a very loyal friend and a lot of fun to hang around with.  When I was a kid, I remember one Christmas in particular where I realized for the first time that my uncle was an alcoholic and a bigot. Up until then I'd thought he was a pretty cool guy but after that year I only felt sorry for him. It's like that.

It's also a little like the O.J. Simpson case. Fun-loving cultural icon falls off his pedestal and smashes into a million little pieces that can't be fit back together again no matter how much crazy glue you have. At least Mel didn't kill anybody. He just sliced-and-diced his own reputation.

Something else that is sad is that, given the current world-wide condemnation of Israel, there are probably  more than a few people who are muttering (at least to themselves) that Mel is more right than wrong, only that he had the misfortune to say what he said to a police officer who wrote it all down and then published it as a public record. People don't ususally get drunk and start saying things they don't believe. Usually it's the opposite. So you have to assume that when Mel Gibson said the things he said last Friday, he probably meant them (even if he apologized for them today).

As you might imagine, a lot of people are talking about this DUI out here in LA, but not many on-the-record. That's not true of Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel (Endeavor) who has called on the industry to turn its collective back on Gibson:

"People in the entertainment community, whether Jew or gentile, need to demonstrate that they understand how much is at stake in this by professionally shunning Mel Gibson and refusing to work with him, even if it means a sacrifice to their bottom line."

You can read Ari Emanuel's full statement on the Gibson controversy on the Huffington Post where he is a guest blogger. He's a very important player in Hollywood and what he says does carry weight.

As for professionally shunning Mel Gibson as Emanuel suggests, this definitely falls in the world of theoretical for me. It will be truly interesting to see how this call to action (or, rather, inaction) actually plays out in the future. Arianna Huffington has a lot to say on this issue in her own post. Her best point was about the unbelievable fact that ABC is in development with Gibson's company for a mini-series about... are you ready?... the Holocaust!

"Yet when asked about the status of the still-in-development miniseries, an ABC spokeswoman said, "It is not at the point where you would make those determinations. There is no script."

Question for ABC: Do you really need to see a script to know that the idea of having a Holocaust-set miniseries produced by a guy who thinks "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world" is a god-awful one?"

Honestly, the ABC spokeswoman really ought to be reprimanded by her bosses. That quote was lame when she said it, and it will not improve with age. Prediction. That ABC mini-series will be dead and buried within the week. They should have killed it today so they could have gotten points for having the guts to do it before they put their finger to the wind to see how it's blowing.

The Los Angeles Times today also pointed out something that makes Ari Emanuel's forthright post look even bolder.

"Although many of the town's senior executives are Jewish and Hollywood has a long history of supporting Israel and Jewish causes, there was no widespread public condemnation of Gibson's comments over the weekend. Although some high-level executives privately expressed dismay at the statements attributed to Gibson after his arrest, none of those contacted would speak on the record."

Well, on the record, I would say this. Dammit, Mel, shame on you. You can go to AA to work on that drinking problem and you should, but once you get your head clear, you have some real work to do.

Still, I would put something else out here as a cautionary note. This is also an example of how racism and bigotry can be taught. Mel Gibson's father is a holocaust denier. Most kids look up to their parents and if the parents are talking trash, the kids may do it themselves. If you want the world to be more tolerant, a great place to start is in your own home.

Even with Emanuel's scolding (and others likely to come), Mel Gibson probably isn't totally finished in Hollywood, but we'll never see him in the same way. He might have to start taking the villain roles.

On the bright side, that actually is one of the better celebrity mug shots I've ever seen taken. Remember Nick Nolte? Fade Out...

Comments

[RisingSunofNihon]

Speaking just from the point of view of a consumer/moviegoer, I have to say that Gibson has lost all credibility in my eyes. In vino veritas, and the truth that came out was quite disturbing.

[Paul D. Meehan]

According to press reports, not the actual police report, Mel Gibson, in a raging alcoholic relapse, blurted out "Fucking Jews", The Jews start all of the wars", and "Are you a Jew?". Well that proves it! Mel is an anti-semite equal to, or even greater than Hitler. Ari, brother of Rahm - once rumored to be MEGA, is calling for Gibson to be blacklisted. O.....K, thanks for the confirmation on who really runs that town.
Mel is a booze addict who endangered himself and the community by getting behind the wheel. End the witchhunt, hypocrites, unless you truly enjoy watching Abe Foxman foaming at the mouth like a rabid St. Bernard. If stamping out anti-semitism was the real goal they would raise holy hell about the ongoing policy of corralling and slaughtering the Palestinians - who just happen to be a Semitic people.

[Paul William Tenny]

I'm not sure I could turn my back on the opportunity to work with him. There are so many qualities and facets to human beings, you know? I could learn so much from him about making films from his directing experience, and from his experience as an actor, how I can better relate to, work with, and write for actors.

And who knows, he may very well keep this kind of crap in the closet where it belongs, and if he can...yeah, I'd work with the man. In the lower ranks, it's just not something I could pass up.

There are bigger battles to be fought.