Joaquin Phoenix admits to being mortified over the I'm Still Here mess on The Late Show

Most people who follow celebrities are aware that Joaquin Phoenix does not do conventional promotion (unless he’s campaigning for an Oscar – that award season was, by his standards, thirsty). He’s not on social media, he doesn’t participate in the usual press games, and it’s very rare to see him on a late night talk show. Especially after what happened in 2009 with David Letterman.

If you recall, he showed up “in character” as himself for I’m Still Here, the mockumentary (?) about him quitting acting to become a rapper. It was a collaboration between him and Casey Affleck after which Casey was sued by two women for sexual harassment. Joaquin and Casey’s friendship was never the same (Casey and Summer Phoenix also got divorced), and ultimately ended.

That’s the backstory for Joaquin’s appearance last night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and they address it right off the top of the interview. I like the way Stephen comes at this – because he too played a character for ten years, The Reverend Sir Dr. Stephen T. Mos Def Colbert D.F.A., aka the right-wing television host who invented the word “truthiness”. And he took that act all the way to The White House Correspondents Dinner for a legendary roast of President George W Bush, and many others in the room. Joaquin’s bullsh-t for I’m Still Here is obviously nowhere near the area code of brilliance of Colbert, but my point is, as an interviewer, this is how Stephen connected with him, and created a comfortable space for Joaquin to talk about what happened without necessarily endorsing the performance. Joaquin subsequently admitted to how mortified he is now about that whole mess and the conversation isn’t unpleasant or adversarial. Credit, always, to Colbert.

As for Joaquin, he was there to promote Eddington, coming out this weekend, directed by Ari Aster. Eddington world premiered in Cannes and the reviews were mixed.

What else happened today…

Miley Cyrus in the most shredded pair of jeans – I hate them but also, they work for her. Not sure about those Margielas either, but again, this whole thing works for her and maybe her only. (Go Fug Yourself)

Hannah Waddingham sounds excited for more Ted Lasso… I think? The comparison she’s making here is weird. And, for me at least, the way she’s describing it wouldn’t be happy for me, I’d just be so sad! So, I guess, maybe, this is apropos. (Pajiba)

Have you seen Superman yet? Are you obsessed with Krypto? I love Krypto, and yes, Krypto is… unruly, that’s an understatement. But this is slander from Miles Surrey here when he says that Krypto is a menace! (The Ringer)

Meghan Sussex’s rosé won a taste test. (Celebitchy)

Speaking of menaces, there are some people who are very invested in Barack and Michelle Obama’s marriage, hoping for it to be over. Very sinister. The Obamas have now made it clear. They’re fine. And they don’t need to update their couple status every five seconds on TikTok. (Hollywood Unlocked)