KEY POINTS:
A storm is brewing over an alleged video tape showing deceased actor Heath Ledger at a drug-fuelled party.
The video, which was supposedly captured at infamous celebrity haunt Chateau Marmont, Hollywood, in 2006, is apparently "explosive" and "shocking".
News of the video emerged this morning when celebrity news website Perezhilton.com
exclusively reported that one of the US's most prominent entertainment shows was planning to broadcast the video.
In the video, Ledger is allegedly heard saying: "I'm gonna get so much shit from my girlfriend."
When asked why, the actor says:
"We have a baby together...Matilda, Matilda Rose."
Perez describes the scene in the video, according to one source that has seen the clip:
The tables at the party are filled with drugs.
Ledger also talks about his drug use and other not so pretty things are seen.
"I used to smoke five joints a day," Heath reveals.
Update:
9:00pm, Friday: It's been reported that a string of stars including Scarlett Johannson, Josh Brolin and Natalie Portman made impassioned pleas to Entertainment Tonight and The Insider, pleading with them not to air the controversial Heath Ledger 'drug video'.
The celebs, along with several high-powered figureheads from various PR firms, pleaded "human to human" with producers of BOTH television shows not to air the video clip.
Pagesix.com states that at no time did the heavyweight celebs ever threaten to boycott the TV shows, but rather "reached out" to them to prevent any further damage and humiliation to Ledger's family.
I haven't seen the clip, nor do I want to, but Pagesix.com reports that it has seen it and claims that the video does NOT show Ledger taking drugs.
As I reported last night, ET and The Insider, much to everyone's revulsion, did infact broadcast an edited version of the clip - a clip that by all accounts made the actor appear as if he was doing drugs.
When the shows aired a preview of the video this week, they showed a section of Ledger saying: "I used to smoke five joints a day for 20 years."
But, what they DIDN'T show was his follow-up to that comment, where he said: "and that's why I got this tattoo [an M, for daughter Matilda] to remind me never to smoke weed again."
Media manipulation at it's worst.
I stand by the comments I made yesterday: this video should never have been aired.
Update
Perez has just been issued with a "very stern letter from the lawyers for Entertainment Tonight and The Insider, who will be broadcasting the vid."
It reads:
"NOTICE OF ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT AND THE INSIDER'S EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS REGARDING PROPRIETARY MATERIALS OF HEATH LEDGER AT THE CHATEAU MARMONT ON APPROXIMATELY JANUARY 29, 2006
**************************
THIS IS TO ADVISE YOU THAT ET AND THE INSIDER HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS IN AND TO PROPRIETARY MATERIALS OF HEATH LEDGER AT THE CHATEAU MARMONT ON APPROXIMATELY JANUARY 29, 2006
Basically, it's telling Perez not to dare link to the said video in any shape or form.
Read the whole letter.
Update:
More details are emerging about Entertainment Tonight and The Insider's purchase of a tragic video said to show Heath Ledger allegedly snorting cocaine at a party two years ago.
Pagesix.com reports that the video was bought for $200,000 (NZ$256,000), and was taken without Ledger's knowledge as he attended an after party following the SAG awards on January 29, 2006.
ET and The Insider had planned to broadcast the video later this week, but this move is now said to be "under review."
Do the honourable thing and can it, guys. It'll only end in tears.
This video should never see the light of day.
This just in...
Out of respect for Heath Ledger's family, Entertainment Tonight and The Insider have decided not to run the Heath Ledger video which has been circulating in the world media.
Morality wins.
Latest update:
Videotape footage of Heath Ledger partying with two strangers at a Hollywood drugs party has aired on U.S. TV.
Contrary to previous reports that The Insider and Entertainment Tonight would NOT be airing the clip, they did in fact broadcast highlights of the video during a news segment.
Australia's Channel 9 News is also rumoured to be airing the clip in its entirety this evening.
Meanwhile, celeb gossip website Perzhilton.com has published a link to the video. And, judging by the comments left by his readers, they are not impressed.
Honestly, what possible benefit is there from airing this clip?
Somebody somewhere is making money out of this, which is incredibly sad.
***
Meanwhile, more dirt is being unearthed concerning Ledger's alleged battle with alcohol and drugs.
Usmagazine.com reports that Ledger's addictions were so destructive and harmful to his then relationship with Michelle Williams, she tried in vain to get him to enter rehab.
The website claims that Williams witnessed Ledger's struggle to control his use of alcohol and drugs for three years, and even drove him to the Promises Treatment Center in Malibu, California in March 2006, to get him some help.
But Ledger refused to check in, instead "swaying her with a pledge to clean up."
Update:
Williams' publicist Mara Buxbaum, who was also Ledger's rep, has released a statement denying claims Williams tried to get Ledger into rehab.
"Much of the tabloid reporting is inaccurate. This fabricated story of Michelle Williams attempting to bring Heath Ledger to rehab is just one lie among many. The speculation is heinous. Let this family grieve privately."
It's incredibly sad and unfortunate that Ledger's past is being dredged and brandished before the world to see.
Thing is, curiosity will always win over and get the better of people.
Ledger's death is, like it or not, the equivalent of witnessing a car crash - you just can't take your eyes away from the carnage.
It's human nature.
However, whilst I understand the curiosity and interest in learning more about Ledger's life and events that led up to his demise, there is a fine line between reporting and exploiting.
This is a celebrity news blog, and report the news about celebrities I shall continue to do.
But, you won't be finding any links to the video here. And that's not piety talking.