joaquin phoenix on letterman

back in february he was on letterman. anyone remember this? he seemed completely screwed up in some way.

i have scoured the internet for the real story on this. i have found lots of news articles reporting on the appearance, lots of transcripts from interviews with phoenix around that time, and many, many forums and celeb sites (TMZ and OMG!, etc.) with dozens of people speculating about what was wrong with the actor that night on letterman. nothing clearly states exactly what the deal was with the whole fiasco.

it could be drugs, alcohol, mental illness, a stunt, who knows? i personally think he was on psychadelic drugs of some sort and didn't fully realize where he was and what was going on, but that it was done on purpose and meant to be a stunt/funny. but then, someone who would do this, and then continue to behave this way in subsequent interviews must be mentally ill, right? i can't figure it out. i realize a) it's none of my business, b) it's not at all important in the grand scheme of my life or yours, and c) i'm probably borderline obsessing over this. still, that letterman appearance popped into my head tonight for some unknown reason and it's driving me crazy all over again just like the night it aired in february.

does anyone know the real story? has anyone been able to find an actual press release from the actor or his "people" giving a solid explanation for his behavior on letterman? i'm dying to know. i'm betting no one cares about this but me, but i thought i would throw it out there anyway.

I read he was in the process of filming a "Borat" type movie. It was something he was working on with Casey Affleck.

They are all on drugs.

that borat movie thing makes sense. if that's the case, i think he was completely convincing. i watched him on letterman that night and was shocked at his behavior. i sat there watching with my jaw dropped. i thought he had lost his marbles! and you're right, they are all on drugs. everytime there is a celebrity death, doesn't it seem like there are drugs to blame, or at least some in their system?

one more thing...i found this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sqoHHgzbjI

now doesn't it kind of seem like gwyneth is in on it? they way she is talking in this interview, idk, something about it just doesn't seem genuine.

oh yeah he was fantastic in that movie! i mean, johnny cash died when i was in high school i think. so i don't remember much about him. even so, joaquin's acting was right on the money. when i watched the movie i remember feeling angry with him (the character) because he was so destructive and treated people horribly. at the same time he really pulled me in and i felt kind of sorry for him. that was a great movie. it seems like many of the world's great talents have a screw or two loose. poe, heath ledger, elvis, michael jackson, jim morrison, van gogh, etc. i guess we're all screwed up in one way or another. being famous just draws everyone's attention to it.