Russell Crowe Throws Himself Down The Well Of Mercy, Part II: Talk Show Redemption
In a talk show moment that fell somewhat short of Hugh Grant's sheepish admission to Jay Leno that getting blown by a hooker on Hollywood Boulevard probably wasn't the wisest move, Olympic-level phone-tosser Russell Crowe went on Letterman last night to issue yet another public apology. From the NY Daily News:
"Hopefully, at some stage, I'll be able to apologize directly to [Estrada] but, at the moment, he's not answering his phone," he said on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman."
"I'm extremely sorry for this whole incident and I regret everything that took place."
The band jokingly played "Mr. Telephone Man" as the "Gladiator" star entered the studio. Letterman removed his phone from the desk. But the laughs subsided as Crowe, in New York to promote "Cinderella Man," was asked if he had an anger problem. "Yeah, I do," he answered. [...]
Crowe initially seemed to play along with Letterman's phone gag. But moments later, overwhelmed by the white-hot bile of rage rising in this throat, Crowe suddenly grabbed the phone from underneath the host's desk and crossed the stage to bludgeon Paul Shaffer for the "attitude" he displayed in his choice of introductory music. The star then spent the remainder of his appearance profusely apologizing to the bloodied bandleader and muttering about "jetlag" and "well-bottoms."
