Hollywood’s dignity took a major hit over the weekend, and we’re not talking about “Lady in the Water’s” second week at the box office.
Lindsay Lohan got slammed, via letter, by the head of Morgan Creek Productions, who is producing her latest film, “Georgia Rule.” Mel Gibson, meanwhile, apologized for his “belligerent” behavior after he was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol.
We don’t want to compare the two incidents, because the allegations involved in Gibson’s arrest are far more serious. But they both fall under the category of embarrassments that the public might not forgive.
Lindsay Lohan
Incident: Blasted Wednesday by Morgan Creek CEO James G. Robinson. Robinson said in the letter that Lohan has been frequently late for filming and has been “discourteous, irresponsible and unprofessional.” She was back on the set Thursday without incident.
Backlash: Just some more bad PR for Lohan. Granted, the “Mean Girls” star’s recent movies have been clunkers, but it’s not clear if that’s because audiences are tired of her tabloid exploits or the movies are just plain bad.
Mel Gibson
Incident: Pulled over in L.A. early Friday for speeding and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. In his apology, Gibson admitted to saying “despicable” things–tmz.com reports that those things included a “barrage of anti-Semitic remarks.”
Backlash: Damaging to his career and his image. Critics already have lobbed charges of anti-Semitism at Gibson for his portrayal of Jews in “The Passion of the Christ.” The circumstances of his weekend arrest may add fuel to the fire.
Russell Crowe
Incident: Threw a phone at an employee in a New York hotel lobby in June. Apologized and pleaded guilty to third degree assault in November.
Backlash: Crowe, whose wife gave birth to the couple’s second child earlier this month, hasn’t been in many movies of late. His last, “Cinderella Man” underperformed at the box office, but didn’t tank.
Kate Moss
Incident: Photographed allegedly using cocaine in a recording studio in September.
Backlash: The supermodel lost some lucrative modeling contracts, and her career appeared to suffer permanent damaged. But after a stint in rehab, Moss was back in business. Even Burberry–which scrapped a planned ad campaign with Moss after the allegations broke–took her back.
Martha Stewart
Incident: Jailed in October of 2004 after a grand jury convicted her of conspiracy and obstruction of justice stemming from her sale of ImClone stock. She exited prison in March.
Backlash: A prime-time reality show, NBC’s “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart,” was canceled after its first season. Stewart’s syndicated daytime show “Martha” lives on.
Lil’ Kim
Incident: Jailed in September for lying to a grand jury about a 2001 shooting. She exited prison in July.
Backlash: Her album, “The Naked Truth,” released while she was behind bars, cracked the top five hip-hop/R&B albums in its first week of release. Upon her release, she was mobbed by fans and well-wishers.
Winona Ryder
Incident: Convicted several years ago of shoplifting $5,500 worth of clothing from a Saks Fifth Avenue store in 2001.
Backlash: The actress won praise from a judge for completing 480 hours of community service, but she hasn’t been in any memorable movie roles since she ran afoul of the law.
Reichen: Bass is happier than ever
Lance Bass’ boyfriend, reality TV star Reichen Lehmkuhl, says he supports the former ‘N Sync star’s decision to reveal that he is gay.
“I will say that Lance is happier than he has ever been,” Lehmkuhl, winner of Season 4 of CBS’ “Amazing Race,” told “Access Hollywood.”
“It has been a long ride, and it’s a huge relief, and I couldn’t be happier for him, and I couldn’t be more proud of him,” Lehmkuhl said.
Bass plans to star in an upcoming reality series of his own. It’s being pitched as an update of “The Odd Couple” starring Bass and ‘N Sync band mate Joey Fatone.
Divorce court
Paul McCartney has filed for divorce from Heather Mills McCartney, formally beginning the proceedings. The former Beatle blamed his estranged wife for the split, saying her behavior was unreasonable and argumentative, The Sun and The Daily Mirror reported. Her spokesman, Phil Hall, said she was unhappy about the reports and said “Heather’s going to be filing her own counterclaims.”
Housewife swap?
It’s the kind of hard-hitting question you’d only find in Playboy: “Which two ‘Desperate Housewives’ characters should have a lesbian fling?” Eva Longoria, who is interviewed in September’s issue, gives her answer: “Definitely Nicollette Sheriden, who is a ball of fun, and Marcia Cross, who I think is stunning.”
On the market
When it comes to real estate, it would appear that Sharon Stone is fickle. The actress bought a Beverly Hills-area home for just under $11 million in April, but the L.A. Times is reporting that the five-bedroom home is up for sale without Stone having ever moved into it. If you make enough money, even an $11 million mansion can be an impulse buy.
