July
31 More Mel

Another article is in the works about Mel Gibson's under-construction church and Mel's father, Hutton, who offers his view on the holocaust, 9/11, etc.

The author is Christopher Noxon who wrote the original N.Y. Times magazine piece in March 2003. Noxon has the tapes of the lengthy interview with Hutton Gibson.

The article, compounded with the non-ending debate over anti-Semitism in "The Passion of the Christ" led to Gibson's appearance on Bill O'Reilly's show in which Noxon says, "Mel said, 'I'm going to get you.'" Ironically Noxon is a member of the same (Jewish) Temple as Gibson's press agent, Alan Nierob.

Noxon tells me the four years-in-the-building project in Agoura Hills is expanding. The traditional Catholic church is not affiliated with the L.A. diocese. Noxon has a new book out, "Rejuvenile" (Crown).

As for Gibson's Hollywood future? I asked ICM's chairman-CEO Jeff Berg is they would continue to represent him. "Of course," he answered.

Rival agency Endeavor's topper Ari Emanuel meanwhile urged everyone "professionally" to shun Gibson and "refuse to work with him -- even if it means a sacrifice to their bottom line. There are times in history when standing up against bigotry and racism is more important than money." These two points of view show how Hollywood is split over Gibson.

And Barbara Walters, on "The View" Monday, referring to Gibson's comment, "That Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," admitted, "I usually don't come out this strong one way or another about a movie but I don't think I want to see any more Mel Gibson movies." Bravo, Barbara.

And the prize for reaction to Gibson's anti-Semitic explosion goes to the L.A. Times' Steve Lopez who has forever tabbed Gibson as "Hezbollah Mel."