It seems that Russell Crowe is a little desperate for attention lately. He spent all of 2004 away from the big screen, and he's a bit scared that the fickle movie-going public has forgotten him. What's a boy to do? Why, take a few swipes at stars who had hit movies last year, of course. Oh, and throw in a few swear words to make himself look tough.
Crowe has criticized actors such as George Clooney, Robert De Niro, and Harrison Ford (ok, he didn't have a hit film last year, either) for appearing in lucrative television ads. Crowe thinks that whoring yourself out for commercials is "a complete contradiction of the fucking social contract you have with your audience." He continued, "I don't do ads for suits in Spain like George Clooney or cigarettes in Japan like Harrison. I mean, Robert De Niro advertising American Express. Gee whiz, it is not the first time he has disappointed me." He couldn't possibly be alluding to Meet the Fockers, could he? That was only the biggest piece of comedy genius since Twins!
So far De Niro has kept his scowling mug shut, but Clooney ain't takin' no shit from some Aussie. The hunka-hunka man thinks that Crowe is just using his downtime to promote his band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts. Clooney retorted, "I'm glad he set us straight. Because Harrison, Bob, and I were putting a band together called Grunting for 30 Feet, and that would also fall under the heading of 'bad use of celebrity.' Thanks for the heads up." The ball is now in Crowe's court. Clooney better watch his back, lest he find himself being beaten with Crowe's Best Actor Oscar for Gladiator. (And, no, we still haven't gotten over that one.)
