Phoenix, whose
transition from acting to rap is believed by many to be an
elaborate hoax
, appeared on Letterman to promote his swan-song film,
Two Lovers
- co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow - but the interview turned into ten minutes of derrière-clenching awkwardness as the host quizzed Phoenix about his furry beard and hip-hop 'career'.
Decked out in his now trademark dark glasses and overgrown facial hair, Phoenix sat with his head bowed-down, chewing gum and uttering two and three-word answers to Letterman's goading questions.
"You've got a nice beard going ... how is that - the beard?" Letterman probed.
"In what way?" Phoenix replied.
"Is it comfortable? Is it itchy? Are you pleased with it?"
"I'm OK with it, but now you're making me feel weird about it. Is there something wrong?" he mumbled before one of the interview's many awkward silences.
And things got worse Letterman quipped: "What can you tell us about your days with the Unabomber?" - referring to his shaggy beard.
The conversation then turned to the star's music career, which drew sniggers from audience members.
"Is this a joke? What [drug] do you have them on? What do you gas them up with?" grumbled Phoenix, visibly annoyed at the reaction.
And when house band leader Paul Shaffer guffawed at the pair's awkward exchange, Phoenix turned to him and asked: "Are you f****** kidding? Are you serious with the maniacal laughter?"
Letterman then tried to placate the grumpy star, "We're having fun, just relax, seriously! I'll come to your house and chew gum!" - prompting Phoenix to spit out his gum and stick it on Letterman's desk.
"Okay, I don't have to chew gum," Phoenix huffed, "I won't chew the gum."
By the end of the trainwreck interview, Letterman had clearly had enough and turned to his guest to say, "Well, Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight."
We think this has PR stunt written all over it, and Letterman was in on the gag. What do you think?
BBB
