Let's exploit all things Heath Ledger

Once again, the ever increasing appetite for celebrity worship and gossip has caused horrible table manners. EW.com reports that both "Entertainment Tonight" and "The Insider" have finally decided not to run obtained footage of Heath Ledger allegedly snorting cocaine at the Chateau Marmont.  (A commenter notes that Ledger is not shown using drugs at all.)

It's not as if the "news" outlets bowed out for moral reasons -- they even teased the segment on the show. Apparently, Ledger's publicist and others pressured ET to "let this grieving family bury their son in private and with dignity." I suspect that a few A-list Aussie stars -- Nicole, Naomi, to name a few -- threatened to boycott the shows if they ran the tasteless footage.

It was ten years ago -- on January 2nd -- that Chris Farley died of a drug overdose and the media frenzy wasn't nearly as rabid. Of course, Farley wasn't an Oscar-nominated movie star, but he had his following. Our society's obsession with famous people is growing faster than the national debt. Civilization could crash, alongside the economy.

I pity whomever sold the videotape to ET for huge bags of cash. Most likely, this person is one of those sycophantic Hollywood hangers-on who attaches himself to a rich celebrity. No doubt, the tape went for six figures. What do you do with blood money like that? Go to Maui for a week? Buy a Bentley?

Photos: Getty Images; ET.com

Comments

[Kel]

I agree wholeheartedly. I think it's important, though, to clarify that the video didn't actually show Mr. Ledger using drugs.

[michaela]

Thats not even Heath sniffing that stuff! you can see heath on the left of that bloke who is the one snorting the coke! that bloke has completely diffrent clothes on from Heath! all Heath is doing is TALKING about his old drug addiction to a bit of weed!!! I hate the way the press twist everything!!! just let Heath rest in peace!!!

[misanthrope]

Out of anyone in the world, I never thought this crap would happen to Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams and their families. ET, The Insider and numerous other sources are showing their true colors. They had to wait until Heath was dead to put them through this kind of scrutiny. Think of everyone involved in this. That woman Ms. White and her filth from 6 years ago! This sort of exploitation only comes from the most hard up, drugged up wastes of life. To make themselves feel important for one time in their life they have to beat up on someone who has died. Class acts. I can tell you that in their own private lives there's a heap of indecency going on. Hypocrites and losers with nothing else to their credit, but slamming someone who is ten times the person they are.

I'm horrified and dismayed. I can't begin to think of Michelle's pain, I well up every time. This isn't a game or clown fodder. This isn't what Heath and his family deserves. It's completely disgusting. What business is it of ours what he did in his private life? Do they think they are better than him now? It's ridiculous. Name one person who has never done anything wrong. Now apply that to 'Hollywood'. Heath was so far from 'Hollywood' and they know it. He got the best of them and it's under their skin. He's dead now and somehow that makes it okay to bring him down. Anyone in their right mind knows he was devoted to his daughter, loved Michelle like no other and was a treasure to his family and friends. In the end, that's all that matters. Leave him alone.

[Lisa Symonds]

I am utterly disgusted by this so-called 'drugs tape'. As others have said, Heath isn't seen taking drugs!

How would these media monsters feel if it was their son? Their ex-fiancé? Their father?

That such a talent is being dragged through the dirt like this makes me despair of human decency.

Let Heath Ledger rest in peace, and his friends and family not be forced to watch the world pick him apart.

Lisa (Liverpool, England, UK)

[ShameOnYou]

By reporting this as news, you are in fact perpetuating this exploitation you claim should stop. This is backhanded and dirty.

[Nicole]

I place 90% of the blame on Entertainment Tonight for this!!! Just because some fool offered the tape doesn't mean they had to buy it. When will these media outlets start taking responsibility for their own actions and decisions? Have they ever learned to say "No" to some things? Do the producers at ET have any common sense or a base sense of right/wrong or of what's acceptable? Is there no limit to how far the media will go for viewership and ratings? I turn the station if ANYTHING about Heath Ledger comes on. Enough is enough!!!

And by the way, the damage has already been done by ET whether they show the tape or not: this morning while getting ready for work I was broad-sided by the commercial advertising the so-called "Heath Ledger drug tape". That was enough to put a thought in my mind. I wonder how many others has ET "infected" with this????

[Matt]

What's the big deal? We live in a country fueled by drugs and addiction. I've lost my closest friends to drugs. Some never even made it into their 20's. Their memories are all that remain... no tabloids or videos of my dear friends who are dead and gone. People want to act like drug abuse isn't going on - well IT IS. Don't be surprised that all your heroes and role models are drug users. The fact of the matter is... they ARE.

[Skull Dugger]

WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LEAVE HEATH ALONE!!!!!!

[Who Really Cares?!]

Why are all of you so obsessec and defensive of someone you didn't even know, assuming that you are all fans? That is the problem with you freaks, you build your lives around people who could likely care less about your existence, worshiping celebrities, as if they are Gods. Get a life! Sure, it is sad that he died but had his past not included drug abuse and other wreckless behavior, there would be no validity to these promotional stunts, such as Drug Tapes, etc. As far as I am concerned, his life is no more (or less) of a loss than any other young person who is lost prematurely. Spoiled, rich, insecure, wreckless young people are not at the top of my sympathy list...Anna Nicole, Heath and soon to be Brittany, Lindsay, etc., come on now. How can you possibly have an "emotional" connection with these people, Losers.

[april]

Chris Farley's death was met with a such a different reaction because most people expected it. His self destructive trajectory was so obvious, that it was really more a question of "when".

As far as the rest of your piece, it's about as annoying as anything else I've read taking this approach. It galls me when media outlets criticize media outlets for exploiting a story. By writing about it at all, you're riding the wave, and filling your column with content on the back of a tragedy. It doesn't matter what your perspective is, it's still your story today, and you still got paid for it.

If you really want to rise above this, write about something else.

[Justin, BLO NY]

I've heard of so many movie stars, singers etc. die so far in my life, but none really hit me like this guy. Scary thing was i saw his 2006 Candy just days before the news. I remember as i watched it, thinking that this man was truly special.....Sad, Sad, Sad....and even sadder what the media does...i am in no way perfect and if i died tomorrow people could pull up photographs and videos of me partying...what does that prove of him? That he liked to have fun? Let the man rest..

[Marjane]

Why is a celebrity using drugs even making news? I can't believe anyone is scandalized by drug use. Give me a break. Half the country is on anti-depressants, Ritalin, or weight loss stuff. Just legal versions of coke. Him dying is sad, his taking drugs just seems American.

[somepeople]

You Know, it's really sad that people have to find things to gossip about, and what's even worse they do after someone dies no less. Do you people have nothing better to do with your lives? Do you have a family, friends, anything? Anything besides sitting around and thinking "hmmm....I wonderwho else I can find to talk smack about." Get a life.

[BRian]

You're a joke-
Why is this poor guy who sold the footage from his cell-phone the bad guy? why isn't the celebrity gossip world that bought it? why isn't the public who wants to see it? why aren't YOU for getting PAID to write about it?(that's right, i said it!) YOU are gtting paid to write about how all these people should take the high road instead of ACTUALLY taking the high road yourself and just moving on. Talk about somehting real for once.
I have very little sympathy for a celebrity culture that thrives on gossip shows and paprazzi for publicity, paying them millions and millions of dollars, then has the audactiy to whine about that same gossip show and paparazzi when it is inconvenient for them. You buy the cart, you get the horse. It's about time hollywood takes responsibility for their own. Celebrities get millions and millions of dollars because of their willingness to make their private lives public. That's the difference between a celebrity and an actor.
See, a celebrity can't decide to live in SoHo and dress for photographers down at Starbucks, but NOT get their photo taken when its compromising.
NOTE TO CELEBRITIES WHO ARE STILL ALIVE: If you don't want to be seen doing coke at Marmount, then follow the law like the rest of us and DON'T do coke at Marmount.
NOTE TO WRITERS WHO WANT TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD: Stop thinly masking your celebrity exploitation with 'the high road' and just actually take 'the high road'... talk about something worth talking about. Iraq would be a good start.
Brian

[Mysticnight]

I was so saddened by Heath Ledger's death. What a shame that the world will be without his great talent. But what really makes me sick about all this is that even before his body was out of his apartment they were saying it was because of a drug overdose and or suicide. Also the shape the body was in. What difference if he was nude or wearing tons of fur coats. Why can we not let someone die with any dignity anymore. Even if he did have a problem at one time or even now why is it any business of ours. I feel for his daughter who someday when she is older will read all about this. Please let his family have some peace to bury a really wonderful man. This was someone that was not into all the Hollywood hype. I hope the media will take stock of itself and quit buying pictures, etc. of famous people. If they do that then maybe the source of blood money will dry up. He was a great actor and that is what I hope he will be remembered most for.

[Robyn]

Heath's death was premature and tragic. I agree with the message here, and have to wonder, at what point will all the press coverage surrounding and exploiting the minute details of a family's tragedy stop? What is it going to take for people to finally realize that Heath Ledger (in this example) was a human being, flawed just like everyone else? He did a lot in 28 years and it's really disappointing that so many people will not allow his accomplishments to shine as we celebrate his life and instead focus on muddying his name and dirtying an image that his little girl will have to grow up around.

[Kevin]

At least Heath's death isn't as big of a spectacle as Anna Nicole's. She didn't have any family who would protest the media exploiting her death, because her family was also exploiting her death as well. It's a sad thing, this celebrity worship. Though, I am just as culpable as anyone else. Whenever there is a Britney breakdown, Heath Ledger death, a Lindsey Lohan stint in rehab; I am genuinely interested. I guess that is just the price of fame; you are not allowed any privacy.

[paul]

its funny all you tards have "seen" the video, know whats going on, and are so shocked. hypocrites. you snuffed it out through whatever quality blog showed it, and now you're posting here because you "oh so know" the truth an the person that sold the tape out is the worthless dirty rat.

why don't you all pick up toltsky and actually read something worthwhile? the only reason i got linked here was "catchy" add slogan on google news.

i hadn't heard of the so called "tape" or anything else for that matter until i clicked on this. jaded idiots.

[kat]

In my mind it's not the media's fault Ledger's death is being exploited - it's the public's. It's funny how people watch the video then codemn the press for running it.

When stupid Americans stop clicking on all things Brittany and stop buying magazines that run her on the cover every week maybe this madness will stop. But in the meantime, the media is just giving people what they want.

I can only imagine what people in other countrys must think. Every day soldiers die in Iraq and it's not even on the publics' radar. But let Brittany Spears take a pee and it's front page news. The American public should be taking to the streets over Iraq but instead, it's just old news.

[sherry]

I watched part of this video, you could clearly see Heath was not comfortable being in this room with the drugs and these people He even say's so too! He is not seen doing anything but having a Beer. When this was taken Heath was 26 yrs old, He say he use to smoke pot for 20 yrs that would make him 6 yrs old when he started?? Okay he was very uncomfortable and trying to fit in with a crowd he didn't know. I'm sure he got the hell out of there as soon as he could. This has not changed my opinion of him at all !! And too see the lengths at which the media will go is disturbing.