ET Reverses Decision to Air Heath Ledger Drug Video
It has taken international outrage from many quarters to force ET to not air the Heath Ledger drug video. One can only imagine the pain and trauma this incident has caused the family of Heath Legder, who have not yet buried him.
Apparently bowing to pressure from celebrities and Hollywood publicists, “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider” won’t air a video of the late actor Heath Ledger discussing his drug use at a party surrounded by others using illicit drugs.
Actors Natalie Portman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Josh Brolin and Ellen Page called producers at sister TV shows owned by CBS Paramount to request the full video not be aired Thursday after a teaser was shown Wednesday night, a source close to the stars told ABC NEWS.com.In the promo, Ledger is seen at a party in which other people appear to be using cocaine, although he does not do so in the portion aired.
“I used to smoke five joints a day for 20 years,” Ledger says in the video, reportedly shot at Los Angeles hotspot Chateau Martmont following the 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Ledger, 28, was found dead on Jan. 22 in his New York City apartment. His representatives have denied that he used illegal substances, and no illicit drugs were reportedly found in his home at the time of his death.
“I shouldn’t be here at all,” Ledger says in the promo clip that aired on both shows Wednesday. “I’m gonna get so much s*** from my girlfriend,” he says, referring to Michelle Williams, his former fiancée and the mother of his daughter.
A spokesperson for the shows confirmed that the full video will not air.
“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,” a show spokesperson said in a statement.
The article continues. Despite the controversy, Australia’s National Nine News chose to air portions of the video in a morning news broadcast.
