A $225,000 Heath Ledger Drug and Booze Exploitation Video Network Censored

The Skinny

Entertainment Tonight has been pressured to pull a Heath Ledger segment that featured the deceased actor allegedly under the influence. Hollywood Insider states that at issue was two year old footage that has been gobbled up by Entertainment Tonight for a hefty sum of money in the hopes of profiting from Mr. Ledger's recent increase in name recognition.

What is euphemistically called "under the influence" is actually reported to be January 29, 2006 footage from a party taking place at L.A.'s Chateau Marmont where the late actor is said to have been filmed - without his knowledge or consent - snorting coke. A suggestive trailer of the video can be found here.

The driving force behind the pressure put on the show was a public relations firm by the name of ID Public Relations which in the past had represented Mr. Ledger. Using age old pressure tactics of making public the names, email addresses and telephone numbers of those most likely having any influence on the Entertainment Tonight segment, they succeeded in having their will done.

The Players

Entertainment Tonight is the kind of show we all love to hate (or hate to love). Its claim to fame of course are sensational stories, such as the one that claims allegations of Mr. Ledger's drug and alcohol abuse were common knowledge to insiders, and sources (conveniently unnamed) have been peddling this information to US Weekly. Citing respect for Heath Ledger's family, the show will not run a video which it suggests is making the rounds in the world media.

In case you are not sure whether to believe the sincerity of Entertainment Tonight's conversion of taste, you will do well to remember that it was this very show which paid about one half million dollars (US) for the rights to film and televise the wedding celebration between Vili Fualaau and the teacher who seduced and raped him, Mary Kay Letourneau.

It is apparent that this show and its creators are perhaps not mavens of good taste and arbiters of politically correct or socially responsibly television programming.