I have a problem. I am WAY too interested in Tom Cruise right now, and his cult-crazy behavior. Again: My fascination is ghoulish and inappropriate, and I cannot justify it. But I watch, agog, as the crackup continues.
Tom wants to set up "Scientology tents" in the parking lot of the set for his new movie. A Scientology "tent", Tom, on the movie set? Dude. You are obnoxious. Stop proselytizing. Stop WORRYING about the rest of us. We're pretty much fine without your crazy cult. Why can't you just believe what you believe and shut the hell up about it? What is this need to convert? Why do zealots worry so much about everybody else? Look in the damn mirror. Is it that you work on commission, Tom?
What is fascinating about that Times piece is that it confirmed for me my own suspicions that all is not well in Cruise's La-La Land. The people working for him, as well as the studios, and the producers, are not "okay" with this new Cruise. He's been forgiven and pampered for years, and now suddenly we all have this "No comment" stuff? This is a terrible sign. (I mean, I'm not comparing this to an actual world-tragedy, please don't misunderstand me. I'm just talking about in the context of show biz shakedowns - this is pretty huge.) Like I said, I am WAY too interested in this. But I think Tom is, as we speak, going overboard with the Scientology thing, and people are not happy about it. The quotes from the guys at Paramount were particularly telling. They didn't like that Tom was going all bat-shit Scientology when he SHOULD be promoting his new film. Cruise seems to think that just showing up means promotion. But damn - his leaping about on Oprah's couch like a gibbering Dianetics-stoned chimp has taken away, definitely taken away, from the building excitement for his new film ... and so now, Paramount feels compelled to cut back on Tom Cruise's appearances. Like ... Tom Cruise is legendary for being unbelievable and tireless about promoting his own films. It's one of the things he's known for. So many actors get burnt out on that stuff really fast, but Tom Cruise has always seen it as part of an actor's job, part of being a collaborator. This has been one of his highly likable and professional qualities. And now? His presence at the junkets is now seen as a liability to the success of the film. People, this is HUGE news.
I can only imagine that the Scientologists themselves (the ones in the upper echelons - the really cynical con-artist ones) wish he would just shut up as well. And I can only imagine his agent, his manager - watching this new open "sharing" and wincing about it. Unless they're Scientologists, too. His sharing about this organization has definitely morphed into a different animal, his protests notwithstanding. He has not "always talked about Scientology". No, he has not. Not to this degree. Not to this insane degree.
And now - this is incredible - the studios are having none of this. They are saying "No" to Tom Cruise. They are actually allowing him to have all this bad publicity. Tom Cruise almost NEVER has bad publicity. But now, there are a lot of people making comments anonymously because they fear retribution. Amazing. Tom Cruise is in trouble.
The studio (and Spielberg - the anecdote about him in the article is ikky - poor man) is in an awkward position because of Cruise's star-power.
But the Scientology obsession has become larger, is taking up more room, and Cruise is making more and more demands that this cult of his be included in his career.
The fact that this story is even OUT, that it has even appeared at ALL, means that there's trouble in Cruise-land. The guy is nothing if not publicity-savvy. He's been one of the biggest movie stars on the planet for 20 years now. He is a fanatic about his own publicity. He's got great people working for him. Professional publicists are incredible. They control everything, the flow of information, the image presented ... everything. Tom Cruise is a master at that stuff.
But now? Where are they? Are they racing around doing damage control? Can they no longer protect him?
Posted by sheilaHe had a Cult tent on the set when War of the Worlds was shooting - according to the NYT..
Interesting.. so, assuming that didn't happen with previous movies, he's been unravelling for months.. and clearly, as you said Sheila, the studio sources show that there are a LOT of people who are not happy about it.
Posted by: peteb at June 2, 2005 3:37 PMMr. Cruise's spokeswoman, his sister Lee Anne De Vette, said she had not heard anything negative after the "Oprah" appearance. "You're looking at someone who's genuinely very happy," she said. "The response we've gotten back is complete enthusiasm and exhilaration for his enthusiasm and exhilaration. He's a very happy person."
Denial, baby. It's a powerful ally in the rapid descent into madness and eventual obscurity.
Posted by: Emily at June 2, 2005 3:38 PMAnd it's a spokesman for Spielberg who's expressing concern about Cruise being a liability on the press junkets.. indirectly of course.. but that's the message.
HUGE is right.
Posted by: peteb at June 2, 2005 3:55 PMBecause I love to be an enabler when it comes to celebrity obsessions:
http://www.tvgasm.com/archives/miscellaneous_tv/000829.php
http://www.tvgasm.com/archives/miscellaneous_tv/000824.php
Posted by: jess at June 2, 2005 3:57 PMIt wouldn't be a big deal if Cruise didn't have such a great reputation. Whatever you think of his acting - anyone who works with him has always raved about his professionalism, and his dedication.
So it makes me wonder if his publicists - are somehow trying to save him - by letting this negative stuff be leaked to the press? I might be over-estimating his power over his own image, but I don't think so. You so rarely hear bad stuff about Tom Cruise - and that's not because it's not there. It's because he maintains such control over his own public persona and publicity.
But now? No more.
Posted by: red at June 2, 2005 3:57 PMWhy could'nt he set up a tent where we could all go in and hang out with Katie Holmes. I would be okay with that cult!
Posted by: Carl V. at June 2, 2005 4:01 PMExcept Sheila.. the first negative stuff this time is a direct result of his own actions and statements in the interviews.. which he's never done before..
It's a very public reining in of someone who should have been at the forefront of the movie PR campaign..
It may have been the only option they had - both his publicists and the studio - but it can only damage Cruise's reputation as a bankable star.. and it's still an indication that he is unravelling.
Posted by: peteb at June 2, 2005 4:08 PMRight, right. Good point. They are now protecting him from himself.
Even just a year ago - when he would have a new relationship, everyone would pretty much accept it.
Cruise - Cruz! WHOO-HOO! A publicists dream come true.
But for whatever reason, this Katie Holmes thing has not been "promotable" - no one's buying it - except the morons in the audience at Oprah ... and this is a very new experience in the Crazy Land of Tom Cruise's Personal Life.
He's such a huge star that ... everything must be spun for the public. That is a crazy atmosphere, and it is obvious (especially that Access Hollywood clip) that he has lost perspective.
He is used to having his spin-jobs being bought by the public, and the press. But suddenly - (it feels sudden to me) - with this katie holmes thing - NO ONE is buying it.
At the same time, his Scientology rhetoric intensifies.
He's gone, in one year, from being a publicist's dream to a total nightmare.
Posted by: red at June 2, 2005 4:12 PMNot to overthink this, but maybe Cruise is crzy like a fox. If the Scientology brass have such control over members and their money, it'd be pretty hard for him to get out unless they dump him.
So to get out from under the "Church's" influence, the Cruiser goes publicly psycho, until they send him off poorer but separated from them.
It's a theory.
Posted by: skinnydan at June 2, 2005 4:19 PMVeddy interesting. Hmmmmmm.
Posted by: red at June 2, 2005 4:20 PMIsn't his sister the publicist now? Maybe she can't control her brother like the last one did.
Posted by: Bill McCabe at June 2, 2005 4:21 PMJess -
That Access Hollywood clip is chilling to the BONE. I can't believe he is really serious ... but ... he IS.
Posted by: red at June 2, 2005 4:22 PMHis publicists are protecting him from himself.. but, perhaps more importantly, even if he is crazy like a fox, the studio are now protecting the movie from him.
Posted by: peteb at June 2, 2005 4:26 PM//It's because he maintains such control over his own public persona and publicity.
But now? No more.//
According to an article I read (can't remember where) his former PR agent was ruthless about his image. NOBODY broke about Commandante Top Droid because they would be denied access to all things Cruise (junkets, interviews etc) in retaliation.
Unfortunately, Cruise's loony tunes sister does not command that same respect.
Posted by: Dan at June 2, 2005 5:16 PMTop Droid ... heh heh heh
Posted by: red at June 2, 2005 5:17 PMIt's like before Cruise was Johnny Fontane, with the Godfather working on his behalf.
And now he's stuck with Fredo...
Posted by: Dan at June 2, 2005 5:17 PMMr. Cruise's recent comments and behavior have been fodder for Internet bloggers
She's talking about you, Sheila!
Looking at the stills from the Oprah appearance, is anyone else reminded of the happy helmet from Ren and Stimpy? I... am... so... HAPPY!
Scott - hahahahahaha
The stills ... especially the close-up of him laughing ... just so FUNNY and WEIRD.
Posted by: red at June 2, 2005 5:39 PMHow bout the caption to those images!!
"Tom Cruise expressing himself on the Oprah Winfrey show".
woah. See? If he were in control of his publicity, a bitchy caption like that would NEVER have happened.
Posted by: red at June 2, 2005 5:43 PMI can't help but feel sorry for Katie Holmes. It crossed the BBC news ticker this morning that 'Holmes has recently backed out of a high-profile role because it would directly conflict with Scientology'. She is not going to come out of this unscathed...
Posted by: Noggie at June 2, 2005 6:18 PMI have to say Sheila, I am as obsessed as you are. Now, I'm not only fascinated with the Pop culture side of this whole thing, but really, I think there IS something bigger happening here.
See, since Cruise is losing his cookies, and as he does, he keeps spouting off about this Cult, we are ALL going to have to take a good long look a religon in general. Now, I'm not making ANY comparisons to any organized religon, and Scientology. I guess what I'm saying is, the Freak Parade is about to commence, and once it gets blown up, I think there will be many who suffer from the fall out.
Posted by: Alex at June 3, 2005 3:17 AMI wonder what Oprah was thinking when all this was happening.
Posted by: mere at June 3, 2005 11:44 AMMere,
She hasn't said a word. Not. One. Word.
Posted by: Alex at June 3, 2005 2:55 PM