Mel Gibson gave an early morning interview with WGN TV’s Dean Richards in 2010 that went off the rails. The interview began pleasantly enough, but when Richards asked the Australian actor about his controversial hiatus from the spotlight.
“Do you feel like you’re a different person, maybe a better person, than you were five years ago, four years ago, given everything we’ve read about you? You’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs the last five years,” Richards said.
“Oh yeah, four, five years? It’s been a real rollercoaster,” Gibson said, barely concealing an eyeroll. “I think I’m the same person I always was … People as they go, time teaches … You learn as you go.”
Richards asked, “Do you think that the public will perceive you any differently after all that’s been in the news about you?”
Gibson said with a faux chuckle, “What are you referring to?”
“The drinking problem, referring to what’s been called the anti-Semitic rant, all those things — you know what I’m talking about,” Richards said.
“That’s almost four years ago, dude,” Gibson said. “I’ve moved on. I guess you haven’t.”
“I’m just wondering if you think that the public has moved on and will perceive you in the same light,” Richards reiterated.
“I certainly hope so,” Gibson said. “It is a while back and I’ve done all the necessary mea culpas, so let’s move on, dude.”
The pair then ended the interview politely … until Gibson snuck in a profanity after his farewell.