At first I thought the whole Gibson/FOX Radio thing was taken out of context, but then I listened to the audio clip for myself and was outraged into breaking my silence and grief at hearing of Heath Ledger’s death.
Less than an hour after the preliminary news broke of the Academy Award nominee’s death, FOX News personality John Gibson took it upon himself to open a segment of his radio broadcast with funeral music. As an organ dirge played over more audio clips from Brokeback Mountain, Heath Ledger’s voice was heard talking about death, as Gibson began making tasteless jokes about Ledger’s state of mind, and speculating about drug abuse and suicide.
As Ledger’s saddened family and fans were just learning the grim details, Gibson referred to the actor as “a weirdo,” during his radio broadcast. While audio clips repeatedly played of Ledger saying, "we’re dead," the radio host laughingly echoed it, followed by insensitive remarks about how “we’d found a way to quit you,” referring to another famous clip from Brokeback Mountain.
The FOX News radio personality sarcastically quipped about Ledger’s alleged thoughts of death at the age of only 28, while the late actor’s fans listened in shock. Gibson then speculated that “maybe he was a weirdo?”
Tom Sullivan, also from FOX News, joined Gibson on the air and began an insensitive piece concerning Ledger’s name, referring to him as “Keith Bledger,” and continued to sarcastically speculate on the reasons the actor took his own life. While early and sketchy details of his death were still coming in, Gibson laughingly speculated that Ledger was “depressed concerning yesterday’s downturn in the stock market,” and later quipped with a caller that he didn’t want a “Heath Ledger moment.”
Joyously continuing, he laughed that Ledger was upset while watching a Clinton/Obama debate because the actor was “an Edwards guy.”
While all of this was going on, to add even more pain to the grieving family, the 50-member Westboro Baptist Church led by Fred Phelps announced that they had already purchased airline tickets in order to picket Ledger’s death outside of the Academy Awards ceremony on February 24. In addition, Phelps' daughter announced that the group was determined to ferret out the details of Heath Ledger’s funeral so they could be there too, adding, “They are going to try and hide the body like a bunch of ghouls so we can't protest. The only thing in this country people worship more than filthy sex acts is the dead.”
The hate-mongering Phelps family, notorious for protesting outside of funerals for Iraq war veterans, is already in the process of making signs reading “Heath in Hell” and “Mourn Your Sins!” in addition to their usual “GOD HATES FAGS” placards.
Heath Ledger’s brokenhearted family are intent on keeping the location and hour of his funeral a closely guarded secret, other than that it will probably be held in his native Australia.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jet in Columbus
So, where does "Freedom of speech" end and hatemongering begin??
2 - Jet in Columbus
NEWSWEEK: In all the chaos surrounding the death of Heath Ledger last week in his lower Manhattan apartment, one reported detail stood out: that when his masseuse found him face down and unconscious on his bed, and then frantically called Ledger's fellow actor Mary-Kate Olsen, the 21-year-old star's immediate response was, "I'm sending my private security." Most people, upon hearing that a friend was unresponsive, with pill bottles nearby, would rush to dial 911. But the masseuse called Olsen two more times before finally calling 911 about 20 minutes later, the second time to tell Olsen that Ledger was cold to the touch and that she feared he was dead. Olsen's response? "I already have people coming over."
Her "people" arrived at the same time as the paramedics, nearly a half hour after Ledger's body was first discovered. So who are these "private security" providers? And why are they--and not public emergency services--the first call a celebrity would make?
3 - david
It's freedom of speech,Look at bill maher has n't he mocked death people
4 - Chadnnocal
I am mortified to see how inhumane our society has become. We can no longer distinguish between appropriate times to exercise freedom of speech and times of mourning a great tragic loss. My hope is that God is less brutal in his judgement of our actions than we are of each other. For me the only appropriate statement I must borrow from the Brad himself.
"Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" WS
5 - Mike Johnston
Reality TV and Rush Limbaugh have taught us all that nothing is sacred and that people will believe whatever they see on TV or hear on the radio. With that said it is just about the numbers and the more scandal you create the more readers/listeners/viewers you have. The more of those you have the higher your advertising price tag. Soooo put that all together and it is just about the money.
6 - Jet in Columbus
Not like this David. Not like this
7 - Jet in Columbus
I'll add an amen to that Chadnnocal
8 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks for contributing Mike... I guess that'w why they put "in god we trust" on our money back in the late 1950s. Money surpassed God as a worship item...
9 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Jet,
You reap what you sow. Your society has sown hatred and contempt in its media, and now you are reaping hatred and contempt in your media. Don't be surprised by what you see or hear. When the shock jocks got on the air, you all ran to listen. Now see what you are forced to listen to.
10 - Jet in Columbus
That explains the success of The National Enquirer, Ruvy
11 - Dr Dreadful
I swear that whenever I read one of Ruvy's comments these days, I can hear thunder rolling in the background.
12 - Jet in Columbus
It's probably just gas Doc...
13 - Lori
All I can say is that the good die young the nuts are left here to torture the rest of us. Heath is in a better place no doubt with jerks like these people on Earth, they're the ones who have to live with themselves, which is a personal hell.
Rest in Peace Heath and God Bless Matilda and your family. You were a true talent and will be sadly missed.
14 - Jet in Columbus
It is reported that he is to be buried in his home city of Perth in Western Australia after a memorial service in Los Angeles.
A controversial US church described as a "hate group" has said it will protest at the LA service because he played a gay character in Brokeback Mountain.
The 28-year-old actor was found dead in his New York apartment on Tuesday.
Several prescription drugs were found in the flat and authorities suspect a possible overdose.
Some of the drugs were prescribed in Europe. Ledger was working in London last weekend on the latest film from director Terry Gilliam.
He has suspended work on The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.
In a statement, the film-makers said: "Heath was a great actor, a great friend and a great spirit. We are still in a state of deep shock, saddened and numb with grief.
"Over the coming days, Terry and the producers will be assessing how best to proceed."
15 - Jet in Columbus
From MTV: Ledger was slated to receive the Robert Altman Award with director Todd Haynes and the cast of "I'm Not There," a film in which Ledger was one of six actors to play the role of Bob Dylan. The 28-year-old actor was to be among the very first recipients of the award, named last year in honor of director Robert Altman.
Ledger's presence at the ceremony, which he attended last year with then-fiancee Michelle Williams, will be sorely missed and appropriately noted, sources said.
"Obviously it's on everybody's minds over here. It's been discussed: 'What are we going to do about Heath?' " another ISA source, who also did not want to be named, revealed to MTV News. "We're figuring out what to do, but we're working on something. Luckily, we've got a month."
Also planning to acknowledge Ledger is the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Awards, a show that honors individuals and projects for their positive representations of the gay community. Along with co-star Jake Gyllenhaal, Ledger was lauded for his portrayal of a homosexual ranch hand in Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain."
"GLAAD intends on acknowledging Heath Ledger's death at the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards," publicist Nick Adams told MTV News. "We are still in the early stage of production, and do not know at this time what form that will take."
Representatives for the Academy Awards could not be reached by press time.
The most interesting tribute, however, may not come from colleagues. In the wake of Ledger's death, the Web site WhySoSerious.com " which for months has been the primary location of online viral marketing for "The Dark Knight" " was updated recently with a black ribbon. Ledger recently completed his role as the Joker in the highly anticipated sequel.
16 - Jet in Columbus
CHECK BACK HERE OFTEN MY FRIENDS AND I WILL UPDATE IN THE COMMENTS AS OFTEN AS IS WARRANTED..0
17 - Jet in Columbus
GRIEF-stricken family and friends of Heath Ledger vowed to give his two-year-old daughter Matilda the "beautiful life" he had planned for her, as the body of the 28-year-old Australian actor last night began a sad final journey to his home in Perth.
Tears flowed as his parents, Kim and Sally, and his older sister, Kate, arrived in Los Angeles yesterday to await the arrival of the casket carrying his body.
Ledger's body was dressed in a black suit before being placed in a simple wooden box for transport from New York, where he lived, back home to Australia via LA.
The funeral is expected to be held in Perth this week, but details have not been released. There also was speculation yesterday of a public memorial service in LA within the next few days, likely to be attended by many of Ledger's Hollywood A-list friends.
As Ledger's body was being placed in a hearse outside the funeral parlour on New York's East Side, his gorgeous daughter was less than 10km away in Brooklyn.
Toddler Matilda, who's tender age has protected her from fully understanding that she has lost her father, was being shielded by her actor mother Michelle Williams, who was engaged to Ledger until the relationship ended six months ago.
Matilda and Michelle were "the two true loves" of Ledger's life, friends said last night.
"He adored Matilda, and when Michelle called it quits, he missed Matilda so much that he was thrown into a deep, dark depression," a source said.
Heath was living in New York to be close to his daughter. He wanted to give her a beautiful life, a family friend said.
Ledger was determined to be a good father to Matilda, the friend said, and was regularly seen walking with her on the streets of SoHo, the trendy neighbourhood where he lived.
He regularly showered her with toys and gifts from chic stores in the area and dressed her in bright designer outfits.
It is not known if Ledger left a will, but family sources say he had set up a trust for Matilda. His estate is estimated by Hollywood insiders to be worth more than $A30 million thanks to his successful 12-year, 15-film career.
He also is thought to have invested wisely in property in Australia and overseas and had a financial interests in several businesses, including an LA-based record label.
In addition to his Manhattan loft and the Brooklyn house where Michelle and Matilda live, Ledger owned a prestige home in the Hollywood Hills that he bought from television host Ellen Degeneres and her Australian actor partner Portia De Rossi in 2006 for $A2.6 million.
The house was deserted yesterday though several fans stopped by to add flowers to a makeshift shrine at the gates.
It is not known if Michelle and Matilda will travel to Perth for the funeral, but Ledger's heartbroken family has pledged unwavering support for the little girl wherever she grows up.
"Your true legacy lives on in beautiful little Matilda, who will always remain in the greatest of care," the Ledger family wrote in a death notice.
As Matilda grows up, she also will have the comfort and support of a loyal and protective circle of Hollywood friends.
Her godfather, Jake Gyllenhaal, who starred alongside Ledger in the award-winning movie Brokeback Mountain, has vowed to help her keep her father's memory alive.
He said it was "an amazing honour" to be her godfather.
It is believed Gyllenhaal has told friends he has a "duty" to Ledger now to do all he can to help the two-year-old.
Williams' former Dawsons Creek co-star, Busy Phillips, is Matilda's godmother and was one of the first people to meet Williams when she rushed from Sweden to New York after learning of Ledger's death.
Meanwhile, Australia's Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith " who is in New York for meetings at the United Nations headquarters " said he was satisfied about the handling of the inquiry into Ledger's death by US authorities.
The authorities said they would not make a final determination on the cause opf Ledger's death until toxicology tests are completed.
18 - Jet in Columbus
JAKE Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger's best friend and Matilda's godfather, has been left to grieve on his own and has not been seen since the actor's death.
According to TMZ, people on the set of his new film, Brothers, are helping the star keep it that way as he is too distressed to talk to media.
Gyllenhaal is currently filming in New Mexico and has been holed up in the studio. There are no plans to stop the film's production to give Jake time to fly to New York to be with Michelle Williams.
The set has been closed to non-crew members and extra security has been hired to keep photographers at bay and to ensure the actor's privacy, according to TMZ.
Now that two-year-old Matilda is left to grow up without her doting father, the responsibility to keep Heath Ledger's memory alive falls partly on her famous godfather, Jake Gyllenhaal.
Jake, Heath and Matilda's mom Michelle Williams, bonded on the set of their Academy Award-winning hit Brokeback Mountain, for which they all received Oscar nominations.
"Heath and I are best friends now making the film was very intense for us," said Jake, 27, who played Heath's sheep-herding love interest in the Blockbuster hit. He described being Matilda's godfather as "an amazing honor,"
19 - Lori
All I can say is that the good die young the nuts are left here to torture the rest of us. Heath is in a better place no doubt with jerks like these people on Earth, they're the ones who have to live with themselves, which is a personal hell.
Rest in Peace Heath and God Bless Matilda and your family. You were a true talent and will be sadly missed.
20 - Jet in Columbus
Fox news radio host John Gibson has issued an apology for mocking comments made about the death of young actor Heath Ledger during his show. Initially Gibson had refused to apologize, but relented after continued calls for him to be fired.
Shortly after Ledger's death, Gibson played an audio clip from Brokeback Mountain of Jake Gyllenhaal’s character, Jack, telling Ennis (played by Ledger), "I wish I knew how to quit you." Gibson then coldly quipped, "Well, he found out how to quit you." Then, after playing another audio clip from the movie of Ledger’s character saying, "We're dead," Gibson mockingly said with a fake country accent, "We’re dead" and played the clip again.
During Gibson's "My Word" segment on Fox News Thursday, Gibson issued an reluctant apology about the controversial comments made regarding Ledger's death.
"I'm sorry that some took my comments as anti-gay and insensitive," he said. "I'm aware that Ledger has a family and many fans who were grief stricken by his sudden death... Those who knew him say he was a great actor and loving man and what happened to him was terrible and evidently an accident."
"Once again, to anyone offended by my comments," Gibson stated. "But I'm also sorry that Heath Ledger is no longer with us and alive. That is my word."
Gibson had initially refused to apologize for his actions, saying it was just "a little Brokeback Mountain joke" and there is "no point in passing up a good joke," according to All Headline News
On MSNBC's Morning Joe, co-hosts Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist characterized Gibson's comments as "unbelievable," "grossly inappropriate," and "hateful." The hosts called Gibson "sick," callous," and "totally out of line." Brzezinski said, "I don't know how you stay on the air after doing something like that, quite frankly."
Beyond his mockery of Ledger’s role in Brokeback Mountain, Gibson called the actor a "weirdo" with "a serious drug problem," and callously speculated on the reasons Ledger might have committed suicide. Gibson had previously mocked Brokeback Mountain, calling it a "gay agenda movie" on his Fox News TV program in 2006.
GLAAD is asking people to contact Fox news and "ask its representatives why they continue to provide a platform for John Gibson's cruel and tasteless comments."
21 - Jet in Columbus
Taiwanese director Ang Lee mourned the death of Heath Ledger. He brought to the role of Ennis more than any of us could have imagined - a thirst for life, for love, and for truth, and a vulnerability that made everyone who knew him love him. His death is heartbreaking," Lee said.
Ledger's performance in Brokeback Mountain earned him a best actor Oscar nomination. Lee garnered the best director award for the film.
22 - Jet in Columbus
as far as I know that's all of the pertinent news bulletins... I was wondering why no one had heard from Jake, I'd like to offer him my condolences should he read this...
23 - Batzarro
Fred Phelps: STOP IT RIGHT THERE! Your every effort in this endeavor pulls people AWAY from God, and brings suspicion and hatred towards christian people. Jesus knew helping folks when they are down IS the right way to bring forth the kingdom! How many converts have you heard that say "I didn't believe in God...until they told me he hated me!" I'm telling ya': God's not gonna be happy about this, and using his name in vain is NOT his Idea of fune, either! If you care about God at all...SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO HIM!
24 - Jet in Columbus
Batzarro while I'm sure your sentiments are shared by all here, I'm pretty sure it's falling on deaf ears to address it at Phelps.
25 - Jet in Columbus
It seems to me that there has to be a way to keep Phelps, his crazy daugher and followers away from those funerals.
Maybe the fact that it's going to ultimately take place in Austrailia will slow them down?