Phoenix apologizes to Letterman
NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Joaquin Phoenix has returned to "Late Show with David Letterman" and apologized for his surly, uncooperative February 2009 appearance.
Director Casey Affleck recently admitted his brother-in-law Phoenix's bizarre behavior -- including the Letterman interview -- were part of a performance for their new film "I'm Still Here."
Initially billed as a documentary, the movie purported to be a chronicle of Phoenix's decision to quit acting and start a hip-hop career. During the past year, Phoenix has altered his appearance -- gaining weight, sporting a bushy beard and dark glasses in public.
Many in the entertainment industry have speculated the double Oscar nominee has been joking but the "Gladiator" and "Walk the Line" star hasn't rushed to explain his behavior.
"You're retiring to pursue a career in music. To me, that seems -- excuse me, I mean, you did sing in ('Walk the Line') -- but it seems unlikely because you've been nominated for two Academy Awards," Letterman said when Phoenix returned to the show Wednesday night. "I, frankly, when I heard about it later, was surprised that anybody had believed it. And then after seeing you here -- first of all, really all I care about is me in this. Now, did I know anything about this (hoax?)"
Phoenix then responded, "No."
Letterman continued: "Yeah. Was there a script that you and I were working with?"
"No," Phoenix replied.
"Thank you very much," Letterman said. "I was not part of it, was I?"
"You've interviewed many, many people and I assumed that you would know the difference between a character and a real person, so -- but I apologize. I hope I didn't offend you in any way," Phoenix said.
"Oh, no -- oh, no, no, no. I was not offended. I'm telling you, it was so much fun. It was batting practice, you know what I mean? Every one of them was a dinger," Letterman quipped.
"Well, we'd hoped to come on a talk show," Phoenix laughed, "and I was looking for a beat down, and I got one. … I want to thank you for that."
Rooney Mara injured on 'Dragon' set
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Rooney Mara injured her shoulder on the set of her new movie "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" in Sweden, People.com said Wednesday.
Details about how the injury was sustained or how serious it is were not immediately released.
Mara, 25, was in the hospital and production has been delayed while the actress recuperates, the report said.
Her film credits include "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "The Social Network."
Perry clip dropped from 'Sesame Street'
NEW YORK, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The producers of the iconic U.S. preschool program "Sesame Street" say they have decided not to air a segment pop star Katy Perry taped for the show.
A clip featuring Perry singing a kids' version of her hit song "Hot N Cold" with "Sesame Street" character Elmo sparked controversy when it was released to YouTube Wednesday with some parents complaining that Perry's cleavage-bearing ensemble is inappropriate for the show's young audience.
Perry refers to the outfit in the song, during which she laments about how Elmo always changes his mind and, in this instance, decided not to play dress-up with Perry as he promised.
"'Sesame Street' has a long history of working with celebrities across all genres, including athletes, actors, musicians and artists. 'Sesame Street' has always been written on two levels, for the child and adult," producers Sesame Workshop said in a statement Thursday. "We use parodies and celebrity segments to interest adults in the show because we know that a child learns best when co-viewing with a parent or care-giver. We also value our viewer's opinions and particularly those of parents. In light of the feedback we've received on the Katy Perry music video, which was released on YouTube only, we have decided we will not air the segment on the television broadcast of 'Sesame Street,' which is aimed at preschoolers. Katy Perry fans will still be able to view the video on YouTube."
"Sesame Street" is to have its 41st season premiere Monday.
'You Are' tops U.S. record chart
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Bruno Mars's "Just the Way You Are" is No. 1 on the U.S. record chart, Billboard.com reported Thursday.
Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 is Eminem and Rihanna's "Love the Way You Lie," followed by Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)" at No. 3, Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" at No. 4 and Usher's "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" featuring Pitbull at No. 5.
Rounding out the top tier are Taio Cruz's "Dynamite" at No. 6, Enrique Iglesias' "I Like It" featuring Pitbull at No. 7, Nelly's "Just a Dream" at No. 8, Flo Rida's "Club Can't Handle Me" featuring David Guetta at No. 9 and Far*East Movement's "Like a G6" featuring Cataracs & Dev at No. 10.
