Another day, another tape exposing Mel Gibson as a wretch. In the latest recording his ex-girlfriend asks him what kind of man hits a woman with a child in her hands, “breaking her teeth twice in the face”. Gibson shouts back: “Oh, you’re all angry now? You know what, you f—king deserved it.”

Dirty linen: Oksana Grigorieva with Mel Gibson. Pic: AFP / File

Troubled artists are hardly a modern phenomenon but the ways in which their darker sides get exposed certainly are. Their worst character traits are amplified by “Hollywood enablement”, the destructive modern culture of the Thirty Mile Zone that allows stars to believe they can behave as they wish, supported as they are by coteries of flunkies and yea-sayers instead of actual friends. By the time this behaviour takes hold - as in the case of Gibson but also arguably in that of the much younger Lindsay Lohan - they have no fear of failure any more because their success is already secure.

In the best piece I’ve read on the affair since the first tape emerged, Tina Brown at The Daily Beast outlines how it makes a devastatingly strong case for celebrity leaks. She calls it a “high watermark in celebrity outing”, arguing the most unsettling aspect is not his racism - of which much has been made over his use of a particular word - but his vile misogyny. Amen to that.

She also suggests his next film, if it is even released, could flop. “Perhaps this one at last will do him in at the box office,” writes Brown.

“Perhaps” in this sentence is a telling word.

Its reflects the truth, appalling as will be to many, that Mel Gibson could be publicly exposed as an anti-Semitic, abusive, woman-hating racist, but that people might still go to see his movies.

Just as modern celebrity culture has changed what we expect to know about stars’ personal lives, to be a consumer of popular film and music is to know how to set aside a performer’s repulsive behaviour and accept their work as their work, and continue to consume it because it’s, well, popular.

It’s why Michael Jackson sold millions of records even after his skin-crawling antics with children at Neverland were revealed. It’s why Kyle Sandilands is still on the air after asking a girl if the time she was raped was the only time she had sex. It’s why Woody Allen’s artistic legacy will be intact despite him marrying the adopted daughter of his ex-girlfriend, and why Tiger Woods is the player every tournament wants to turn up.

George Michael allegedly driving a car into a shop doesn’t suddenly make Star People a terrible song, right?

And sure, a car crash that raises suspicions over a star’s character and self-control is a far cry from tapes that expose someone as a raging abusive misogynist. Of course the latest revelations will hurt Gibson’s earning power.

But what effect will it have on what people think of his previous movies? I suggest the uncomfortable answer is: very little.

In an age when consumers know more and more about the artist, how much does it take before a star’s character flaws destroy their artistic reputation?

Last week when Prince made his bizarre remarks about the internet being “completely over” and that it would get dated “like MTV”, I found myself wishing that artists could sometimes just shut up and work.

But I quickly realised: we’re used to this shameful madness, and Prince has just reinforced his position among the legion of creative titans of his generation who are utterly disconnected with how ordinary people live.

Bruce Springsteen once asked people to “Trust the art, not the artist”.

It is something that as consumers of popular music and film, we have little choice but to do.

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59 comments

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    • Chris L says:

      05:19pm | 13/07/10

      If a celebrity breaks the law it is for the law to deal with, not the public. Some may be horrified at this, but I still enjoy Polanski’s films despite the charges against him. Same with Mel.

      At the same time a person who thrives in the spotlight should be expected to set a good example for their admiring audience. So I guess a lessening of that admiration for them as a person would be appropriate.

    • SkepDad says:

      05:46pm | 13/07/10

      Many great writers and artists were misogynists, racists, weirdos and creeps.  As you say Mr Colgan, it doesn’t make their literature or art worse.

      It does, however, force us to think beyond the all-pervading hype and judge their work on its merits.  It also raises questions about ethics - is it ethical to support an artist for their talent, regardless of their personal qualities?

      I say no.  Gibson is a douchebag, and I will never again knowingly pay money to consume anything which he may get a royalty from.  For the same reason, I pass several convenient Gloria Jean’s on my way to get coffee, because I refuse to financially support Hillsong, however indirectly.

      It has nothing to do with disliking the art or the coffee; simply that they will not get another cent from me.

      Call that vigilante ethicism if you like.

    • Dan says:

      04:08am | 14/07/10

      good call

    • Mary from Wide Bay says:

      08:19am | 14/07/10

      Second that.

    • Barry says:

      09:15am | 14/07/10

      Well said SkepDad.

      I boycotted Tom Cruise movies due to the Scientology connection, but then he won me back as a fan, with his awesome Les Grossman performance!

    • DG says:

      09:52am | 14/07/10

      Does that mean anything attached to the Catholic Church should be boycotted too due to Pedo Preists? dont go anywhere near the attahced charities then either….
      and what about
      Our wonderful federal Government who wont put their hand up for murdering people by sponsoring insulation in homes…

      your vigilante ethicism is scewed

    • Macca says:

      10:18am | 14/07/10

      @SkepDad, I’m going to sude with Colgo on this one I think.

      I like Christian Bale’s films and John Mayer’s Music despite both of them being complete wankers. My position may alter if the artist puts together a crap performance, but I don’t really care what goes on in their personal lives.

    • Jen says:

      10:32am | 14/07/10

      I agree. I won’t watch Gibson’s movies again. I won’t watch Seinfeld any more either. I used to think it was funny but Richards’ outburst was utterly appalling and I can’t laugh at Kramer any more.

    • stephen says:

      11:38am | 14/07/10

      Is that the extent of your idealism : refuse a cuppa, or walking that little bit more to see a film you really like ?
      And all you other lick-spittles ’ yeah come on bro’ say it like it is man’, are only angry and active when there’s nothing at stake. ‘Yeah man, I’m gonna stop going to his movies too, man ‘
      Worthless.

      PS Maybe the French revolution wasn’t such a bad thing, after all.

    • 6c legs says:

      02:55pm | 14/07/10

      Geez, how stoopid do I feel!

      I had NO IDEA about the hillsong & gj connection!
      (back to going to Banjos for coffee for me then, and their damn ordinary coffee. *sigh*)
      Thanks for that.

    • KH says:

      09:16am | 14/07/10

      Who is she? I suppoe that would be a good reason for no one to care in Australia….......
      So sure, its only men…........Let’s have a look at the car crash that is Lindsay Lohan.  How about Brittany? Another car crash that was followed in detail by the media.  Amy Winehouse,  Kate Moss and her drug addled boyfriends,  Naomi Campbell and her assistant beating exploits….......there are plenty of chicks who have been raked over the coals by the media…........and there is a whole section of the media who sit around every day just waiting for one of these Z grade celebrities to lose it….............

    • acker says:

      06:24pm | 13/07/10

      Mel Gibson - Paul McCartney - Lindsay Lohan obviously the 24 hour celebrity web based gossip reporting is now bringing a few of these celeb’s into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons

    • Casey Richards says:

      06:31pm | 13/07/10

      Of course, these “leaks” are not intended to curry favour with the public in advance of a pending legal suit to invalidate the pre-nuptual agreement, are they? I mean, the ex Mrs Gibson wouldn’t be trying to get any potential jury members on side in advance to support her multi-million dollar lawsuit…? In the end, it doesn’t matter it would seem whether it’s even proven to be Mel - everyone already seems to believe it, which is good enough for the media.

    • NEFFA says:

      07:00pm | 13/07/10

      I feel sorry for Mel.

      I’m not going to sit here and say he is a saint, he is most certainly living life on the edge. He is an alcoholic and unbalanced.

      The thing is that his golddigging girlfriend is obviously just as unbalanced. How do we know how long she was provoking him before she hit the record button? it’s all so obviously a set-up and i just feel really sad that he has fallen for it and taken Robin and his other kids down with him.

    • DJ says:

      12:47pm | 14/07/10

      I agree Neffa, how come she has a tape recorder on hand ready for only incriminating insults etc, there is no proof other than the tape that he hit her, and moronic statement “hit them in the teeth in the face” isn’t that where everyone’s teeth are? bit of a redundant point there.

      How do we know he wasn’t reading lines from a film? how many ‘celebrity cheating’ scandals were nothing more than being on set rehearsing?

      I can’t recal any mention from Robin that he was violent or hit her at all and they were together for years

    • Mary from Wide Bay says:

      07:04pm | 13/07/10

      I simply can not understand why any person would have any interest in the ‘art’ or ‘work’ or ‘politics’ of people who in their private lives are blatantly and shamelessly abusive/lie/cheat/adulterers etc. And that doesn’t mean that I am holy because I am most certainly not. And I know all about forgiven and let live and throwing the first stone. But people blatantly and unapologetically advertising their misbehaviour is a different thing altogether. Only reluctantly admitting to your stuff after you’ve desperately tried to cover up and eventually have been found out doesn’t make for the kind of character that I’d have any interest in whatsoever. And I think society would be much better for the boycotting of such.

    • Mary from Wide Bay says:

      08:05am | 14/07/10

      In addition; sure we’re all fallible however many seem to overlook that it is these kind of people that our children look up to as role models. Yikes.
      To blame her for exposing him is simply adding to a culture of condoning foul behaviour and laying the blame where it doesn’t belong.

    • Az says:

      11:03am | 14/07/10

      Role Model ?

      Mel Gibson ?

      Come on, really ?

      I can see kids imagining themselves being Mad Max or even Braveheart but that is the art and not the artist and completely distinct from Mr Gibson the person.

      People throw the ‘role model’ term about too loosely these days without thinking how absurd it really is.

    • Mary from Wide Bay says:

      12:52pm | 14/07/10

      What is indeed absurd Az is to assume that a child would be able to separate the art from the artist particularly considering the ‘thumbs up’ given by the adults around them.
      Even more absurd is to sit back with a tinnie and enjoy the exploits on the screen of some guy who (allegedly?) knocked out his partner’s teeth and then proceeds to tell her that she deserves it.

    • 6c legs says:

      02:37pm | 14/07/10

      “Mary of Wide Bay”, onya!

      I totally agree… children cannot differentiate between the Art, and the Artist - and how do we know that Mel doesn’t just play his own ‘self’ on screen, and is just really good at remembering lines and taking direction ( which is 90% of being an Actor)? His characters are all the same, after all.

      But perhaps Mels own character isn’t all that different from the very people who run Hollywood, and that’s why he gets to survive in the cut throat artistic world that has destroyed so many others who had more benign characters

      It’s the way that some humans - and they’re all over the web - believe that they ‘know’ these sellebrities, and think that they know what was going on in their head at the time of the misdeed that I find deeply disturbing.  It makes me wonder just what their idol could do before they would say, Enough!

      Is it how a certain Austrian got away with murder?
      Or is it just simply; for the sake that their own entertainment be continued, that they will forgive (and make excuses) for something that they wouldn’t condone in the people who surround them in their daily lives? (at least one hopes that they wouldn’t!)

      And do other sections of the Media keep the stories going (this one is at least a week old) because they all rely on eachother in a symbiotic way for their daily bread? (not to mention that Rupert has a very good reason, of course… )

    • Paul Ellis says:

      07:34pm | 13/07/10

      Some males and females are money hungry and I personally think this is one hungry woman. To tape private conversations, what was in the back of her mind?

    • Sam P says:

      07:37pm | 13/07/10

      This a private domestic dispute.  It is no ones business.

      The media that feed on this stuff are bottom feeders.

      I’d like to see the contents of all of your media personal lives laid bare like this too.

      What a bunch of grubs.

    • get real says:

      07:41pm | 13/07/10

      I wish the media would leave Mel alone. It’s obvious the man needs psychiatric help; NOT hounding by the media.

      Did you learn nothing from the tragedy that was Michael Jackson? Unfounded accusations, coupled with trial by media, can only end in disaster.

      Please take a big step backwards, and let the judicial system (and hopefully a mental health team) do it’s job.

    • observer says:

      07:42pm | 13/07/10

      Everything that I have heard in these recordings just doesn’t come across as that bad.  What I hear is a man who feels that someone he gave his heart to has been using him for her own career. I think that this woman realised she did not want to be with him and knowing his reputation, recorded him being angry, so that the whole world would turn against him. I think in this day and age where PC thugs tell what we should and shouldn’t say is the real cause of all his problems. Sure he drinks and has a temper when pushed, but how did she push him and maybe he should have recorded the conversations as well. I bet she baited him over and over again. I believe he needs help, and she knows this and just kept pushing his buttons. I have know women who would do anything to destroy their ex’s happiness. He needs to see someone now, because he could end up hurting her because of these recordings. I would love to know what his ex-wife is thinking about this. The only people being hurt in all of this are the children, both his and hers. Good luck to the both of them, very sad.

    • BK says:

      07:46am | 14/07/10

      She may well be a manipulative bitch. I’m sure that Hollywood has more than a few. It is up to Mel to learn to deal with them without using or condoning violence. We can acknowledge that his behaviour is unacceptable without pretending that she is perfect or awarding her the moral high ground.

    • ABC says:

      10:57am | 14/07/10

      It is not the specifics of what he says but that what he says is indicative of deep seated and personal dislike of women (not to mention anti-Semitism, racism and a few other -isms).  Yes, it has found its expression in his treatment of his current partner, but men who are otherwise rationale women loving men, even if they are getting done over in divorce of seperation proceedings may feel some residual bitterness towards an ex, but they do not resort to violence, and not do not hold palabple hatred towards a woman based on her gender.

      This man has female children - what sort of man, any man, - particularly one who is the father of girls - expresses such sentiments or indeed thinks that a slap round the chops is an appropriate way to deal with conflict?

      Would you tolerate this sort of behaviour if it was exhibited by a male friend - who thought it okay to express violent, vile and vitrolic sentiment and actions to his partner? And he said “She was in my face so I slapped her one to shut her up”.

    • Ray Graham says:

      05:43pm | 14/07/10

      ABC, seems like you have a problem with men in general. So Mel doesn’t like women. Why is it compulsory. His choice. Just like many women who hate men. In fact most women have that very default system as evidenced in any divorce, or overheard conversation in a coffee shop.

      Yes the 11th Commandment. You must love women (despite any actions they take against men). Don’t get it really. As though there is some higher order that all must prescribe to.

    • Dark Rider says:

      07:55pm | 13/07/10

      So Mel Gibson said a few things in anger during an argument with his girlfriend, so what ? Why does that spell doom for his career ? Personally, I think he is a bit of a nut at the best of times, but this “tapes” business is really a beatup as far as I am concerned.

    • Sam says:

      01:19pm | 14/07/10

      I think what people are more concerned with is the “beatup” of his girlfriend…

    • Dan says:

      04:06am | 14/07/10

      The thing about Mel is that he is an actor (and a good one) and actors, when acting aren’t protraying the person they are,but the person they are playing.

      And as such I’ll continue to enjoy his films.

    • Reg says:

      07:36am | 14/07/10

      Well that’s it. All those little Russian honeys can forget about me opening their junk mail. I don’t care how needy they are and I’d have thought Mel was smarter than this. Apparently not. It must be his Post-Modern English genes.

    • Mary says:

      09:48am | 14/07/10

      “wishing that artists could sometimes just shut up and work” ? Couldn’t this apply to has-been politicians as well? Especially Australian ones.

      Just goes to show how much of a tall poppy syndrome culture we are. :(

    • ABC says:

      12:40pm | 14/07/10

      See Mary - Mel Gibson may be successful but to call those that are calling him to account for his behaviour as being proponents of the tall poppy syndrome is not at all correct.  People are not having a go at him simply because he is successful, we are having a go at him because he is a vile, racist, misogynist man who despite having every advantage still gives expression to some of the worst qualities and views that can be held and thinks that because of his status he is beyond repute. He’s a shit - plain and simple.

    • AUssiewazza says:

      09:52am | 14/07/10

      I enjoy Mels acting, Tigers golfing and Michaels singing. That’s my interest in them. I don’t give a stuff about their private lives;that’s their business. But time after time we see talented men getting hooked by leeches totally without any skills except for filling a dress. They hook on and start sucking and after goodness knows what happens away from the lime light,  the breakup happens and the run off with a disgusting proportion of the loot that the male EARNED. It’s a form of prostitution. Theres the facts. That should upset the femmos and dikes.

    • Missy says:

      01:27pm | 14/07/10

      Why would they be upset? Most women don’t like girls like that either, they make us all look bad.  Much the same as what boys like you do to men.

    • The Shaking Head says:

      10:12am | 14/07/10

      I’m sure American Mel was just rehearsing a new script that involves abusive phone calls - does that help you out Mel?
      ... and Women’s magazines love him

    • Samson says:

      10:31am | 14/07/10

      I know exactly what you mean Colgo, how far can you go to separate a person’s public work from their private actions?  Looking away from artists for a moment I like reading about historical figures, particuarly inspiring people whose beliefs and values roughly coincide with my own.  But I can never find someone I entirely agree with.  Voltaire?  Hated Jews.  Jefferson?  Slave-owning chauvinist.  It’s defintely naive to expect people from another time to posses what are really very modern social values, but what about current figures?  Do you ignore someone’s admirable accomplishments if you discover that you wouldn’t like them as a friend?  I personally don’t have a clue.  I guess the world really isn’t black and white… more like 32bit.

    • Beryl says:

      10:43am | 14/07/10

      Bet Mel’s poor long suffering ex wife is laughing now. He is your typical silly older man chasing younger skirt and getting a kick in the bum.

    • Reg says:

      01:28pm | 14/07/10

      If you understand his defect so well Beryl, why are you not more sympathetic and supportive towards him?  If it was a woman who murdered her husband or kids, I bet you’d have all sorts of reasons to support her in her moment of distress and excess.

      The man clearly has an internalized inferiority complex and needs to be admired by fresh young things in order to rescue his self-image. It’s the old problem that fresh young things are often shallow and not very smart. This is the real price the “Mels” have to pay for having to pander to the titillation of the silver screen and it’s lustful followers.

    • DJ says:

      04:46pm | 15/07/10

      when did Mel murder her? there is no physical evidence to suggest the beatings

    • AJ says:

      10:44am | 14/07/10

      I find it even more bizarre that there is continued public support for “stars” who have been tried and convicted of physically abusing their partners (Chris Brown, Matthew Newton, etc).

      It’s bad enough that celebrities can continue to be acclaimed by the public (and the media) when they personal (but non-criminal) foibles and faults are revealed, but it’s even worse when they’re convicted as criminals and yet we still worship them.

      But I’m just as guilty as anyone else. I’ll overlook Robert Downey Junior’s drug convinctions and pay to watch him in Iron Man and Iron Man 2 and The Avengers (not to mention Sherlock Holmes, Tropic Thunder, etc).

    • Kate says:

      02:32pm | 14/07/10

      I’ll overlook Robert Downey Jr’s convictions too, for two reasons:
      1) His choice to take drugs affects himself only. Stupid decision, sure, but it’s a long way removed from the physical and emotional abuse of one’s partner.

      2) He’s hot.

    • Michael says:

      11:35am | 14/07/10

      The sad thing is that we all think we are compassionate and caring people - yet here is a man obviously struggling and not well and we are baying for blood, full of our own correctness and wonderfulness… Instead of hating this man or name calling we should be reaching out to him - not to condone what he has (allegedly) done, but because he clearly needs help. Yes, he’s angry, yes, he’s abusive, but clearly he’s deeply hurt and deeply depressed - a desperate man responding from a very threatened primal base. Who of us can honestly say we have never behaved badly when backed into a corner? Who can say how any of us would respond in the same circumstances, when the cloud of depression blurs thoughts and anxiety makes everything seem life threatening?

    • Christian White says:

      12:49pm | 14/07/10

      Poor old Mel, love him or hate him, he bought some great entertaining movies into our home.  Silly old bugger getting hooked up, at his age. with some Russian unkown, no talent, floosy. I saw a clip of her trying to sing. woeful.This will do her career a few favours now. She set him up and drove him insane with jealousy and then recorded his rave, poor guy. Go back to Robin mate, she’ll have you back!!

    • Sam says:

      01:21pm | 14/07/10

      You and Robin good mates then are you? Why inflict the poor woman with even more grief by sending this silly old has-been drunk back to her.

    • Tanya says:

      01:32pm | 14/07/10

      Cast the first stone if you’ve never spoken viciously to a partner in the death throes of a relationship. I wish I could!

    • Ben81 says:

      02:08pm | 14/07/10

      *Throws stone*

    • Mary from Wide Bay says:

      09:43pm | 14/07/10

      Speaking viciously and breaking someone’s teeth are two different things.

    • DJ says:

      04:50pm | 15/07/10

      Mary - is there any evidence of broken teeth? and don’t mention the recording, it all sounded staged to me

    • Paul Toohey says:

      02:14pm | 14/07/10

      Finally we learn the truth about Mel Gibson: his American accent is not fake.

    • Ture Sjolander says:

      04:35pm | 14/07/10

      They are only actor’s ! I don’t give a dime for any actor: http://www.gretagarbo.de/
      Film, movies is only a matter of light. So what, not a big deal.
      Life is good without movies…

    • Ray Graham says:

      04:59pm | 14/07/10

      So Mel doesn’t like women. Big deal. What’s the capital offence? There’s plenty of women who hate men. What’s their problem? It’s a democracy and his choice. Apparently it’s an offence if you are male but ‘chic’ if you are female. Give the guy a break. Everyone has their pet hates.

      Seems like a socially induced conundrum. If you aren’t real fond of women maybe there’s a reason. Say like unprecedented social privelege exercised by western women, aided and abetted by rediculous hopelessly lopsided legislation. Just a thought to ponder.

    • Seano says:

      06:53pm | 14/07/10

      I would have thought the problems were obvious, the racist comments(again), the abuse, the seeming admission that he’d assaulted a woman (holding a baby no less) and the way he comes across as slightly less than well hinged.

      I don’t think she comes out looking saintly, she may have been recording these conversations secretly for “protection” but there’s a hunt of extortion.

      Regarless of her actions his have been appalling, the bloke is a wanker.

    • Luke says:

      06:54pm | 14/07/10

      If we didn’t worship celebrities in the first place, there would be no desire for this irrelevant reporting. 

      None of us know the real circumstances; we are relying on journalists and a private tape, secretly made with an agenda.  The tape could easily present a completely different perspective to the truth. 

      I am sure no-one here knows Mel personally, but there are a lot of judgements being made.  I can think of several occasions where I would be embarrassed had I been taped after having been provoked.

      In my view when comparing the two sides I would favour a burst of anger over an insidious manipulation any day.  At least anger is honest!  She has played Mel, the press and any interested public like a harp, getting an advantage out of a situation that is nobody’s business.

      I am completely uninterested in anyone’s personal life, especially celebrity and agree with Sam P.

    • SydneyGirl says:

      09:50pm | 14/07/10

      I can’t believe the number of Mel-apologists.  On the tapes what’s striking is not the racist slurs or the bad language, but the uncontrollable anger and complete loss of control by Mel. It’s also clear that he has a really twisted view about women’s role as being about pleasing him and fulfilling his ideals. I think there was a very telling section where he accuses her of not being his friend, which he needed because he has no other friends - this is typical of perpetrators of domestic abuse who find it difficult to form meaningful relationships.  Don’t just focus on the language - was no one else disturbed by the sheer violence of his emotions. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt before listening to the full tapes, but now I would seriously be afraid to be in a room with him.

    • Mary from Wide Bay says:

      11:30am | 15/07/10

      To be honest SydneyGirl I am more disturbed by the amount of people ready to back him and vilify the victim than I am by the sheer violence of his emotions. I didn’t listen to the tapes but anyone who (allegedly?) knocks out his partner’s teeth and then tell them that they deserve it; scares the daylights out of me.
      In the end this is not about this actor and his partner but about dv being brought out into the open and noting how many fellow human beings actually back the abuser over the victim. It explains a lot about society as a whole. And that disturbs me much.

    • Jay says:

      07:23am | 16/07/10

      I refuse to watch any movie which features Scientologists or at eat at restaurants which are owned by the Scientologists as it simply promotes their cult. Pity I love my pancakes.Mel Gibson lost the plot long ago and now he is finished.He should join the Scientologists as he would be a good match for them: a control freak.

    • Marcus says:

      05:14pm | 18/07/10

      I think the distinction that needs to be made here is “artist” and “celebrity”.

      Great artworks stand alone. Celebrities fall down every day.

 

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