Mel Gibson getting dumped from 'Hangover 2': Hollywood hypocrisy in action?

A host of issues have been raised after news surfaced that Warner Bros. has dropped Mel Gibson from the cast of "Hangover 2," citing objections from cast and crew. (Gibson is reportedly being replaced by Liam Neeson.) But one of the most fascinating is the specter of hypocrisy, which almost always comes into play in today's world of instant Internet buzz, where the second-guessing of showbiz decisions, big and small, has become just as common as Monday morning quarterbacking on sports talk shows.

According to this provocative post from New York magazine's Vulture blog, why did the "Hangover" cast and crew have a beef with Mel Gibson but not with Mike Tyson, who enjoyed a cozy 15 minutes of fame after his similar stunt casting in the original movie? Gibson has certainly spoiled his reputation by unleashing a torrent of anti-Semitic slurs after being arrested in 2006 for drunk driving, then dug himself a deeper hole after being heard making racist and misogynist remarks to his former girlfriend, who conveniently taped Gibson's abusive rants.

That's pretty bad stuff, but what about Tyson? He's a convicted rapist who spent three years in prison for sexual assault against Desiree Washington, a former Miss Black Rhode Island. So why wasn't there any outrage when Tyson was cast? I'd like to hear your thoughts about this, because Gibson-versus-Tyson opens up all sorts of prickly issues. I suspect that Tyson's casting wasn't such a hot-button issue because the rape charges were more than 15 years old at the time he appeared in the first "Hangover" movie, so people's disgust had plenty of time to cool. Tyson's defenders would also argue that he did the time, so he should have the right to a fresh start. I guess everyone has a different view of how long the moral statute of limitations for convicted rapists should last: Can you start walking the red carpet after five years? 10? 15? Or never?

The issue is different with Gibson, who is still in the midst of a nasty legal battle with Oksana Grigorieva, who had a child with the aging star. One way to punish Gibson for his offensive behavior is by making him a pariah in polite society -- though who knew that a sequel to a movie about a weekend of Las Vegas debauchery would qualify as polite society! I'm still trying to figure out where I stand on this one, because there's a fine line between rewarding bad behavior and blacklisting someone for their past sins.

I know people who are saying, of Gibson: Give the guy a break, it's only a dumb comedy, not a lifetime achievement award. If no one had any problems with Tyson, then why suddenly get all worked up about Gibson? But it's just as easy to argue that just because the "Hangover" team made one mistake doesn't mean it's a good idea to make another. After all, women are already all too regularly treated as hapless sex objects in most boys-will-be-boys Hollywood comedies, so does "Hangover 2" really need to have another big dose of misogyny by having Gibson on board?   

Photo: Mel Gibson at the 2007 premiere of "American Gangster" in Los Angeles. Credit: Gus Ruelas / Associated Press

 

Comments

[Steve]

No. Do not give the guy a break. Two wrongs don't make a right. Good decisions are made in isolation, and not necessarily because of (bad) precedent.

[gw]

it simply boils down to reverse-racism. they'll condemn mel gibson, but they'll forgive, and fawn, over roman polanski -- a rapist and pedophile. and why -- because he's a jew who lost family members in the concentration camps. evidently, that somehow excuses him. as well, hollywood likely sees mike tyson as someone who was wronged by society because he was born poor and black in the inner city. again, making his crimes understandable and excusable. mel, by contrast, isn't allowed to make mistakes because he's a priveleged white guy.

[Mike]

Tyson's offenses were almost 20 years ago: Tyson committed a horrible crime, did his time, went back to the ring, got clobbered, and essentially disappeared. People don't remember the rape charge as much as they remember him being the most fear human being on the planet. After being such a tough, angry man for his whole career, Tyson got to play the funny guy... and was good at it. That is why his cameo worked.

Mel Gibson and his anti-Semitic rants are only 2-3 years old with the girlfriend drama only a few months old. They are still fresh in everyone's minds. I'm sure any Jewish man or woman on the film crew weren't happy he was picked for the film. I'm also sure any woman working on the set didn't want Gibson around either. He was easily to dismiss and replace.

The Main Point: Gibson has a long way to go to repair his image. He eventually wants the public to like him again and pay to see his films. Tyson just wanted to show he could be funny.

[Holyhock]

Tyson did his term, Gibson didn't even said he was sorry and STILL ATTACKING his victim.

[Lizzie]

Gibson in involved in an ongoing, nasty divorce. Tyson's crimes from 15 years ago are more serious, but unlikely to hit page one of the tabloids when the movie opens.

[reading between lines]

For everybody in planet Earth the treatment of Gibson, like the expulsion of a CNN Hispanic journalist last week for similar comments, compared to mr. Tyson or other far more important corporate crimes gone unnoticed shows that some people are 'more equal' than others and freedom of speech is a bigger sin that rape or theft... It doesnt help the opinion we have about america and its ruling castes, but having lived in LA, i know American ruling castes never cared much about the opinion of others, as long as their sheeple is controlled. That is a common trend to all empires.

[Holyhock]

I just bet you won't post mine previous comment (it's too short and smartly to the point), your article is stupid and aggressive. "Conveniently" recorded?! Not sure where you stand ?! Not ashamed to spread the lack of common sense judgement ( very softly speaking), well.. being evil? People like you ( who support Gibson, when he's STILL VICIOUSLY ATTACKING his victim) should sit next to him on a court bench.

[Franklin Smith]

Gibson is not the only person who has a big mouth when he's drunk, and as bad as he talks with his girl friend its interesting to note that she knew it was coming, but wasn't afraid of him. You might say she capitalized on the event.

Lets face it, Gibson's head was/is in the clouds so high there wasn't any place higher to go in his profession. So now he is digging a hole for himself, and at some point he will hit bottom, and then its comeback time if he can do it. He's got the money and talent to make another blockbuster if he wants, and that will also make other people a lot of money so whos going to hold a grudge then? He's was imported into Hollywood to be a bad boy so what do you expect from him? Chances are if he does a DNA test he might just find some ancestors who are Kosher. Its easier to blame others for the worlds problems than stepping up and trying to solve them for the sake of humanity.

[The Stark Truth]

I mean, do I really have to come out and say it?

It's because Gibson made racist comments about Jews and Jews run Hollywood more than any other group.

In addition Tyson is black and former boxer, so he can be "forgiven" for an act of brutality.

That's the what's happening here.

[Ha]

Liam Neeson is a safe and boring choice. They should have stuck with Mel Gibson, but maybe it has something to do with outstanding battery charges. Until these things are settled, maybe some people think he's an unnecessary risk. The blowouts on the tapes provides Mel is unstable. There's enough information out there for anyone to suggests Mel should take a long long break. He needs to be alone for awhile.