US actor defends George Michael's anti-Bush single - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 08-16-2002, 10:25 PM

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnew...d=12103357&meth od=full&siteid=50143

WOODY'S ON SIDE
US actor defends George Michael's anti-Bush single

He's one of Hollywood's hottest actors and, with Natural Born Killers
among his starring roles, is no stranger to controversy.

But now Woody Harrelson has taken another brave step - he's
passionately defended George Michael over his anti-Bush and Blair
single Shoot The Dog.

The 41-year-old star - currently appearing in On An Average Day
opposite Kyle MacLachlan at the Comedy Theatre in London - has hit out
at the backlash against the song's lyrics which criticise George Bush,
Tony Blair and the war on terror since September 11.

At his play's after-show party on Wednesday night, Woody told Jessica:

"I saw the Daily Mirror's front page on George Michael and I thought
it was brilliant. I've always been a fan but he's right up there now.
I think he's a great guy.

"I haven't seen the video for his song but I was fascinated by what he
had to say."He's incredibly brave to have done that song.

Especially when doing
something like that could be considered very dangerous in today's world."

Harrelson - who is famous for his role as the dim barman Woody in
Cheers and who stunned audiences with his powerful portrayal of a
murderer in Natural Born Killers - is the first American to stand up
and defend the 39-year-old British singer.

The former Wham! star caused outrage by using the Daily Mirror's Howdy
Poodle front page, which poked fun at the special relationship between
Britain and the US, on the single's cover.

"I can't believe he got so criticised in America for it. It's so
unfair," said Woody. "I hear he's too scared to go over to the States
now. What a joke. I'd really like to meet George.

"I want to congratulate him on standing up and speaking out.

"I totally support him and wish him all the best. It would really make
my day if you could set up a meeting with me and George. I just want
to shake that guy by the hand."

He also had nothing but praise for the Daily Mirror.

"I have one thing to say about the Mirror - it's amazing," he said.

"The paper's stance on the war against terrorism is just right. It's so bold.

"The war against terrorism is terrorism. The whole thing is just
bullsh*t. What you guys have done is very brave."

Woody - who was with his wife Laura and their two daughters Deni,
nine, and five-year-old Zoe at the party at Adam Street private
members' club - has been living in London for two months. He has homes
in Hawaii and Costa Rica and proclaims to be a vegan, although he was
gobbling up the canapes at the party.

"I love it over here, man," he grinned, sipping a pint of beer.
"I've been really busy but now the play has started I want to have a
little fun. There's a little spot I go to but I'd rather not tell you
where it is."London cab driver Les Dartnell also attended the play.

In June Woody was wrestled to the ground by policemen and arrested
after he went berserk in the back of Les's taxi. The cabbie said the
star acted like a "caged animal".

Within minutes of Les picking the actor up from Chinawhite at 2am,
Woody had trashed the cab. He then booted the door open and made a runfor it.

Les dropped the charges after Woody paid him £542.96 and the two men
shook hands after the play. "He said, 'No hard feelings'," said Woody.

"He seemed like a nice guy. It's just one of those terrible circumstances."

http://forums.comicbookresources.com...threadid=23867

Mossopp · 08-17-2002, 08:35 AM

I don't see what all the fuss is over George Michaels new song. Personally I dont find it offensive in the slightest. Having seen the video I would have to say that, if I were to find it offensive, I would say that it's more offensive to Britain than it is to America.
And the song is ***** anyway so does it really matter?

Bootsy Whoosh · 08-17-2002, 04:15 PM

I have heard about this song but never actually heard it before. I just read the lyrics to it, and a statement from George Michael. Personally, I think it's good that he's had the courage to speak up about how he feels. And I also hope that Tony Blair could have a "calming and rational influence" on Bush, as he hopes.

Kitt · 08-18-2002, 08:23 PM

I haven't heard the song but to make a big stink because someone speaks out is not good, no matter what.
Why is the cab incident tagged onto the end of this article about Woody Harrelson? It isn't pertinent to the subject content of the article so I have to assume that it would fall into the sensationalism category, with the extra added punch of striking down Harrelson's credibility. Or it seems to me, anyway, that that was the writers intention.

08-16-2002, 10:25 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,301	US actor defends George Michael's anti-Bush single http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnew...d=12103357&meth od=full&siteid=50143 WOODY'S ON SIDE US actor defends George Michael's anti-Bush single He's one of Hollywood's hottest actors and, with Natural Born Killers among his starring roles, is no stranger to controversy. But now Woody Harrelson has taken another brave step - he's passionately defended George Michael over his anti-Bush and Blair single Shoot The Dog. The 41-year-old star - currently appearing in On An Average Day opposite Kyle MacLachlan at the Comedy Theatre in London - has hit out at the backlash against the song's lyrics which criticise George Bush, Tony Blair and the war on terror since September 11. At his play's after-show party on Wednesday night, Woody told Jessica: "I saw the Daily Mirror's front page on George Michael and I thought it was brilliant. I've always been a fan but he's right up there now. I think he's a great guy. "I haven't seen the video for his song but I was fascinated by what he had to say."He's incredibly brave to have done that song. Especially when doing something like that could be considered very dangerous in today's world." Harrelson - who is famous for his role as the dim barman Woody in Cheers and who stunned audiences with his powerful portrayal of a murderer in Natural Born Killers - is the first American to stand up and defend the 39-year-old British singer. The former Wham! star caused outrage by using the Daily Mirror's Howdy Poodle front page, which poked fun at the special relationship between Britain and the US, on the single's cover. "I can't believe he got so criticised in America for it. It's so unfair," said Woody. "I hear he's too scared to go over to the States now. What a joke. I'd really like to meet George. "I want to congratulate him on standing up and speaking out. "I totally support him and wish him all the best. It would really make my day if you could set up a meeting with me and George. I just want to shake that guy by the hand." He also had nothing but praise for the Daily Mirror. "I have one thing to say about the Mirror - it's amazing," he said. "The paper's stance on the war against terrorism is just right. It's so bold. "The war against terrorism is terrorism. The whole thing is just bullsh*t. What you guys have done is very brave." Woody - who was with his wife Laura and their two daughters Deni, nine, and five-year-old Zoe at the party at Adam Street private members' club - has been living in London for two months. He has homes in Hawaii and Costa Rica and proclaims to be a vegan, although he was gobbling up the canapes at the party. "I love it over here, man," he grinned, sipping a pint of beer. "I've been really busy but now the play has started I want to have a little fun. There's a little spot I go to but I'd rather not tell you where it is."London cab driver Les Dartnell also attended the play. In June Woody was wrestled to the ground by policemen and arrested after he went berserk in the back of Les's taxi. The cabbie said the star acted like a "caged animal". Within minutes of Les picking the actor up from Chinawhite at 2am, Woody had trashed the cab. He then booted the door open and made a runfor it. Les dropped the charges after Woody paid him £542.96 and the two men shook hands after the play. "He said, 'No hard feelings'," said Woody. "He seemed like a nice guy. It's just one of those terrible circumstances." http://forums.comicbookresources.com...threadid=23867

08-17-2002, 08:35 AM	#2
Mossopp asleep at the wheel Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 30, 2000 Location: Helensburgh, Scotland Posts: 3,726	I don't see what all the fuss is over George Michaels new song. Personally I dont find it offensive in the slightest. Having seen the video I would have to say that, if I were to find it offensive, I would say that it's more offensive to Britain than it is to America. And the song is ***** anyway so does it really matter?
	__________________ "Heavy metal has been my life since I was 10 years old. It's the only thing I know, it's the only thing I care about." Dimebag Darrell, 1966 - 2004

08-17-2002, 04:15 PM	#3
Bootsy Whoosh Storms abrewin'... Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2001 Location: The Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001 Posts: 2,104	I have heard about this song but never actually heard it before. I just read the lyrics to it, and a statement from George Michael. Personally, I think it's good that he's had the courage to speak up about how he feels. And I also hope that Tony Blair could have a "calming and rational influence" on Bush, as he hopes.
	__________________ Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny. - unknown

08-18-2002, 08:23 PM	#4
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	I haven't heard the song but to make a big stink because someone speaks out is not good, no matter what. Why is the cab incident tagged onto the end of this article about Woody Harrelson? It isn't pertinent to the subject content of the article so I have to assume that it would fall into the sensationalism category, with the extra added punch of striking down Harrelson's credibility. Or it seems to me, anyway, that that was the writers intention.