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JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Joaquin Phoenix's Letterman appearance is instant classic

Entertainment Feb. 13, 2009 - 05:38AM JST ( 25 )

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25 Comments

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noirgaijinFeb. 13, 2009 - 09:02AM JST

I saw the clip on Yahoo, it was hilarious!
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soldaveFeb. 13, 2009 - 09:13AM JST

Is it possible to see this in Japan on TV? Was wondering if it was available on one of the satellite channels.
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yabitsFeb. 13, 2009 - 11:17AM JST

The Farrah Fawcett interview that Letterman references at the end was hilarious too.

Frankly, I think Phoenix is putting everyone on, and is proving what a great actor he is.
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dennis0bauerFeb. 13, 2009 - 12:40PM JST

I think he should stay off the LSD, looked like a bad trip to me
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PuffinMuffinFeb. 13, 2009 - 12:56PM JST

hard to believe it's the same person who did Gladiator and Walk the line. Into hip-hop now? I thought it was rap, but I can't tell the difference.
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spudmanFeb. 13, 2009 - 12:58PM JST

It was an act that Letterman was in on. Great way to get publicity and great laughs.
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PuffinMuffinFeb. 13, 2009 - 01:18PM JST

I just saw it on youtube, Phoenix reminded me of John Belushi on SNL
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presto345Feb. 13, 2009 - 02:08PM JST

I don't believe for one second Phoenix is going hip hop and the whole interview was a hoax :->>
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ultradodgyFeb. 13, 2009 - 02:14PM JST

Lettermen used to be on MSNBC in Japan (I think one show a week, on Saturday?) but that was years ago on Minato cable, which I don't have anymore.

Anyone else know if if Letterman is available in Japan?
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NessieFeb. 13, 2009 - 03:38PM JST

Two words: Andy Kaufman.
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OsakadazFeb. 13, 2009 - 04:09PM JST

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.
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Suzu1Feb. 13, 2009 - 06:10PM JST

Nessie - You are way too generous in your comparison.
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SargeFeb. 13, 2009 - 09:18PM JST

Two words: ZZ Top
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yabitsFeb. 14, 2009 - 12:39PM JST

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.
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LeopalaceFeb. 14, 2009 - 02:21PM JST

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.
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helloklittyFeb. 15, 2009 - 07:41AM JST

Save your time. Not worth watching. Not funny at all.
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space_monkeyFeb. 15, 2009 - 08:00AM JST

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.
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buddha4brainsFeb. 15, 2009 - 09:03AM JST

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.
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NessieFeb. 15, 2009 - 04:22PM JST

Crispin Glover did something similar. I don't think drugs for Phoenix, because it's a sustained thing, for Phoenix, not a lark.
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xpompey8Feb. 15, 2009 - 05:11PM JST

Hoax or not, it was hilarious. Classic Letterman
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helloklittyFeb. 16, 2009 - 12:44AM JST

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.
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AltriaFeb. 16, 2009 - 10:46AM JST

Man, that was crap. Letterman was a unfunny jerk in front of the obligatory whooping American studio audience. Phoenix just looked drugged out.
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SargeFeb. 16, 2009 - 10:52AM JST

"Letterman was an unfunny jerk"

That's him, all right.
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LFRAgainFeb. 19, 2009 - 12:44PM JST

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.