Heath Ledger Video

Recently “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider” caused controversy among viewers and the Hollywood community by showing a a promo for a video tape in which Heath Ledger talked about his past drug habits. What was troubling about the tape that these television shows aired was that it had been edited in a way to portray Ledger as a current drug-user and even to insinuate that Ledger may have been doing drugs in the video! Although the clip was merely being used to promote the show and get viewers to watch to see the video the next night, they only showed a portion that left Ledger in a negative light. According to those who have actually seen the video in its entirety, Ledger was not doing drugs at all. In the clip that was aired Ledger said, “I use to smoke five joints a day for 20 years.” This clip allowed many to assume that maybe he was still smoking joints and possibly doing other, more dangerous drugs, which led to his death.

But the TV shows didn’t air what came after this quote and the follow up entire video was never aired afterwards, in which Ledger said, “and that’s why I got this tattoo [an M for daughter Matilda] to remind me never to smoke weed again.” This last quote obviously portrays Ledger in a very different light than “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider” had their audiences believe.

I feel that this was a huge mistake for these television shows to make. Not only are they being disrespectful to Ledger’s family in their time of mourning, but they have undoubtedly lost the trust of many in the Hollywood community. It appeared to suggest that Ledger has done drugs in the past, maybe still does, and that we must conclude that that is the explanation for his death. After showing this video I would expect that many publicists would not give “ET” or “The Insider” access to any of their clients again because their intentions are obviously questionable. I also feel that once audiences learn about how “ET” and “The Insider” only played these portions of the tape and left out other very important clips, that they would lose trust in the shows and ultimately “ET’s” and “The Insider’s” rating and reputation will fall.  Although they did decide to not air the video in its entirety, I feel like the damage has already been done by showing that portion of the tape. All in all I feel that it is disgusting for these TV shows to attempt to portray this loving father as a drug user while his family is trying to deal with his sudden loss.