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George Clooney: Prove Me a Liar, Win $1 Million!
Responding to rumblings that he is responsible for a viral video of director David O. Russell profanely berating Lily Tomlin on the set of I Heart Huckabees, George Clooney — who famously clashed with Russell on Three Kings — has denied any culpability, and is willing to put his money where his mouth is. "Neither the sound man... nor yours truly [leaked] the David O. Russell tape," Clooney says in a statement. "I saw it when we were working on Ocean's 12 [back in 2004], and there have been quite a few copies traveling around town for the last couple of years. Any rumor that either of us put it on the Internet is simply false. And I'd offer a million bucks to anyone who would prove otherwise." And just like that, I Heart Huckabees becomes interesting.
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Mar 30, 2007 10:04 AM
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Heh, yeah, I personally do not heart Huckabees (loved 3 Kings), but the video with Russell and Lily Tomlin is just sad. I wish Dustin Hoffman started beating the crap out of him too. How does Russell find people to work for him? He seems like one of the biggest ***** in the film industry. Better yet, how could people after suffering through his anger want to work with him again (Mark Wahlberg was in both Huckabees and 3 Kings)?
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Mar 30, 2007 10:21 AM
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Maybe they are getting paid so much money it compensates. Personally, I don't care how much money I'm getting paid, I don't want to be yelled at, insulted, berated, etc. by a boss. And it's unprofessional of a boss to do that.
Yes, why are people hiring him and why are people working for him?
I didn't see the video.
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Mar 30, 2007 10:48 AM
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You can watch the clips (which are at least R-rated, perhaps NC-17) here. There are two: One of Russell freaking out on Tomlin, the other of Tomlin giving him trouble, although at least she doesn't become violent. They are awful and (I hate to admit it) hilarious. If my boss talked to me like that I'd sue!
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Mar 30, 2007 10:52 AM
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OMG! Thanks for the link Raven. That is just crazy. I'm sure it makes for a very comfortable, healthy work environment. NOT!
In the first, did they know they were being filmed?
I don't know if I'd sue (is it a sueable offense?), but I'd surely talk to my union and fasttrack it to another job/boss.
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Mar 30, 2007 11:10 AM
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maurine you're right, you probably can't sue over that kind of behavior. But hey, you can try. I watch the People's Court whenever I call out sick, and people sue over pettier stuff. And no, I don't think they knew they were being filmed in that first one. My guess is that Russell told the cameraman to it off but that he didn't. Or something like that.
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Mar 30, 2007 12:16 PM
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Wow, this is freakin' unbelievable. I had some similar scenes when I used to be in theatre, but this seems absolutely toxic. Which is a shame, because I had all kinds of respect for Lily Tomlin, and really liked Huckabees. But as out of control as she was, Russell was far worse. The director is the person who sets the tone and creates the environment, so if people are that angry, you can't really place the blame anywhere else.
As far as recourse, I can't imagine a better revenge than these viral videos. I can't imagine any well-known actor with career choices would ever choose to work with someone like Russell after seeing this.
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Mar 30, 2007 12:37 PM
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If he speaks/acts that way to Lily Tomlin, imagine how he acts to lesser known actors, people, etc. Yowser!
Maybe you could sue for harassment. And if you reported him and nothing was done you could sue the company for emotional distress. And if he hit you with one of those flying papers, you could call the police for assault.
Did you see Lily flinch in the first one, like she thought he was going to throw something at her? I would have been on the phone with my agent/manager after that fiasco.
Director does set the tone and he has set the tone very low for this film. I will never work with Russell, that's for sure!
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Mar 30, 2007 12:42 PM
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OMG  I saw that video a week ago and I thought it was a joke. I can't believe that was real. Poor Lily.
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Mar 30, 2007 3:05 PM
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So the movie is a 2004 release? Is the video just making the rounds now?
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Mar 30, 2007 3:13 PM
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what a total dickwad. i'm so glad SOMEONE released that so we can see what really goes on in hollywood they all pretend to be so perfect, i'm sick of it. this guy needs to go on prozac. i know someone who used to act like that before medication, it's scary to be around that. they used to act JUST like that. i find it ironic he's telling HER to be an adult, HA!
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Mar 30, 2007 6:35 PM
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That movie sucked so much that any level of berating couldn't have made it better anyway.
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Mar 30, 2007 6:43 PM
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I've heard about Russell's rep after the Three Kings movie. He had some battles with Clooney on that one. Even though his temper is bad, I don't see how he could be sued for what he did on the video. If he did get sued, Michael Bay and Oliver Stone might be in trouble.
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Mar 30, 2007 11:04 PM
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I admit it - I can be bought. Anyone who wants to pay me a mil and yell at me, is welcome to! Heck, I'd let them yell and cuss at me for a $100K!
If these poor actors get paid a measley mil to stand in front of a camera and pretend, they are way too important to put up with an a-hole director!
I bet if you offered them less money for a nicer director, they would turn it down. Ya think?
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Apr 1, 2007 11:06 AM
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No I don't.
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Apr 1, 2007 6:15 PM
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