FIRST OF ALL, she's not the one "making fun" of him. As every article makes clear, Scott Gorenstein, Liza's publicist, sent the DVD. He never says Liza told him to, and no one seems to have asked him yet.
Since he routinely sends things from her--in her name--the fact that every article so far has said this has been from "Scott Gorenstein" or "Liza's rep" or "Liza's publicist" makes it pretty clear that the DVD came from him. (It's also exactly Scott's humor, for those who know him.)
SECONDLY, sending a DVD so Shia will know how the story ends hardly seems "harsh" or even really "publicly making fun" since it in no way refers to (1) inebriation, (2) mental incapacity or (3) any failing whatsoever on Shia's part except for not being present for the second act.
I hardly see where it merits anything at all like an all-caps "HARSH."
"FIRST OF ALL, she's not the one "making fun" of him"
Yes--that was the sum and substance of the post which I re-posted and endorsed.
She is, however, responsible--in my opinion--for the actions taken in her name by "her people".
Bottom line--her team took the opportunity of poor behavior of someone who is likely trapped in addiction (I acknowledge that is an assumption on my part which may be inaccurate--I don't know M. Le Boeuf personally) to engage in a little humorous self-promotion.
I stand absolutely by my judgement that such opportunistic levity in the name of someone who has done the hard work of conquering her addictions at the expense of someone still trapped in THEIR addictions is HARSH. Or worse.
You think, what do you want?
You think, make a decision...
"I stand absolutely by my judgement that such opportunistic levity in the name of someone who has done the hard work of conquering her addictions at the expense of someone still trapped in THEIR addictions is HARSH. Or worse. "
Based upon everything I have ever heard about Ms. Minnelli's dedication and hard work in the Program (because being anonymous when you're Liza is also not easy) I absolutely believe that SHE would never intentionally belittle someone for their struggles.
I think it is unfortunate that her rep chose to do so. My beef is absolutely not with Liza but with her rep.
I don't know him, and I seriously doubt that knowing him would make me find his actions any less objectionable.
You think, what do you want?
You think, make a decision...
No need to apologize. Just keep your frustration clearly focused. Anything misconstrued as Liza bashing usually ends in a bloodbath here ( and rightly so.... she is royalty).
I agree with you Addison. It's tacky unfunny,and even if she had nothing to do with it, her representatives are well, her representatives. It does seem to be making light of someone's serious problems, and like Namo pointed out in another thread, with the way Liza and her defenders lost their minds about a little joke Ellen made about Liza impersonators, this seems a little tone-deaf.
Ehhh. I could give a crap about Shia's problems. He could get help when he wants to. He ruined Cabaret for some people that night. He could stand for some bashing. And I never thought that Liza lost her mind about Ellen's joke. I thought twitter and her fanatical followers did. I thought when asked about it she would comment about it.. but I really don't think she really gave a hoot.
To be fair, how do we even know that Shia has an addiction problem? It was reported this morning that only alcohol was involved with Shia's breakdown on Friday. No drugs of any kind. He certainly could be an alcoholic, or he could have just had too much to drink. I assume he does have a substance abuse problem, but we do not know that as a fact. So how can you be so quick to bash Liza's reps specifically on that issue?
I would agree that it was certainly opportunistic. For that, they deserve criticism.
I also think any perceived disconnect can be put down to the difference in behavior. Even assuming La B suffers from addiction, his behavior doesn't garner much sympathy (see Mel Gibson). He's not simply being self-destructive.
BTW.. I noticed all of Liza's concert have been pulled all the way thru next year. What is the health issue they are mentioning? She appeared with Rufus Wainright this weekend and was at the Cher concert a few weeks ago . And her concerts were selling really well ( Partly because of the Ellen thing and Liza's publicist doing his job).