Joaquin Phoenix's Letterman appearance is instant classic

Friday 13th February, 05:38 AM JST

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Nessie at 03:38 PM JST - 13th February

Two words: Andy Kaufman.
Osakadaz at 04:09 PM JST - 13th February

Does anyone remember the interview he did around the time of 'Gladiator'? He is a great actor,but he obviously has some SERIOUS drug problems.This is the second time he has done this.
Suzu1 at 06:10 PM JST - 13th February

Nessie - You are way too generous in your comparison.
Sarge at 09:18 PM JST - 13th February

Two words: ZZ Top
yabits at 12:39 PM JST - 14th February

It is interesting that Andy Kaufman is mentioned. I think it is very possible that Joaquin Phoenix is conning everyone, and is just acting.

This has certainly given Letterman a ton of press, so David can't be too disappointed about the appearance.
Leopalace at 02:21 PM JST - 14th February

I didn't think it was very funny, one word answers seldom are. I do like him as an actor though, hope he does do more movies in the future.
helloklitty at 07:41 AM JST - 15th February

Save your time. Not worth watching. Not funny at all.
space_monkey at 08:00 AM JST - 15th February

It was sad. If he has mental problems then I don't understand why Letterman makes fun of him to his face rather than show some sympathy or empathy.

I can't wait until he becomes senile and people make fun of him to his face on national TV.
buddha4brains at 09:03 AM JST - 15th February

Instant Classic? Just add whatever Pheonix took I suppose.

It could be a Kaufman, Marx Bros, or a Dada-Surrealist gag, but if he was hopped up, then it is just sad.
Nessie at 04:22 PM JST - 15th February

Crispin Glover did something similar. I don't think drugs for Phoenix, because it's a sustained thing, for Phoenix, not a lark.
xpompey8 at 05:11 PM JST - 15th February

Hoax or not, it was hilarious. Classic Letterman
helloklitty at 12:44 AM JST - 16th February

It was sad. If he has mental problems then I don't understand why Letterman makes fun of him to his face rather than show some sympathy or empathy.

Exactly.

Although I used to be the hugest of Letterman fans, making fun of Phoenix's beard set the tone for the interview and Joaquin just decided he wasn't going to give him anything after that.
Altria at 10:46 AM JST - 16th February

Man, that was crap. Letterman was a unfunny jerk in front of the obligatory whooping American studio audience. Phoenix just looked drugged out.
Sarge at 10:52 AM JST - 16th February

"Letterman was an unfunny jerk"

That's him, all right.
LFRAgain at 12:44 PM JST - 19th February

I didn't think it was very funny

I dunno. I certainly laughed. And not because I enjoy laughing at people with mental deficiencies. Rather, because Phoenix was very clearly stoned out of his gourd (or at the very least, doing a fine job of acting it out).

Making fun of famous people with mental health issues: Not funny.

Making fun of famous people who are inebriated on national television: Funny.

Letterman didn’t do anything that he isn’t already known for. He’s sarcastic, he pokes fun, and he doesn’t spend an inordinate amount of time blowing sunshine up the behinds of the celebrities he interviews. Everyone knows that going in, and despite that (or perhaps because of that) he’s still the top rated late night host on American television.

Setting the tone with the beard comment? What did he say that was off-color? He commented, “You look different than I remember you,” referring to a prior interview. Nothing wrong with that. What set the tone was Phoenix’s mumbled reply. What continued the tone was Phoenix’s continued incoherence.

For those here who have personal experience with someone suffering from serious behavioral mental health issues, you’re certainly correct in that mocking someone suffering from such is way out of line. However, you should rest assured since Phoenix’s buddy Casey Affleck was following Phoenix around the day of taping, filming his antics with a portable video camera. There’s no mental health issue here. It’s a stunt that went off as well or better than its perpetrators could have predicted.