Tom Cruise Oprah Love Fest Part 2 - A Play by Play In Real Time
So Oprah and Tom are back on the couch. This time to celebrate Tom’s 25 years in show business based on his first starring role, “Risky Business.” To be honest, Tom really is a great actor, he’d be in the ranks of Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Paul Newman category if it weren’t for that detour he took way back in the 80’s. Moving on……
So Oprah has some surprises in store for Tom in the way of Hollywood friends telling us how awesome Tom is.
Please tell me that’s not Will Smith and Jada Pinkett sucking up to Tom on the show? Oprah introduced them as his “two best friends.” Oh geez, will the circuitous circle jerk between these two couples just stop already. If my best friend got up there to do a retrospective on me, I can guarantee you there would be a fair amount of ball-busting, not butt-licking.
Tom looks beat down and tired.
Oprah really loves the money doesn’t she. I loved her reference to her own wealth when she asked Tom if there was ever a time when he didn’t think there’d be another movie, and he stated at some point he knew he was set, and Oprah must have been waxing poetic on her trillions in the bank when she said, “yeah about five years ago I realized I AM FILTHY RICH.” Or something like that. Oh, the things she can buy…
And we’re back with Tom doing a terrible job of Righteous Brothers “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin” from “Top Gun” but that’s ok, he was still cute then.
Tom has a need for speed. (As an aside, he and CoS head David Miscavige like to outdo each other with motorcycles and cars, overcompensate much?)
It’s time to show me the money. I wonder, what’s Cuba Gooding, Jr. been doing these days? “Jerry Maguire” was a great movie. Oh, good it’s squishy face Renee Zellweger. He really should have won an Oscar by now, you know it’s that kooky faith holding him back.
Everyone keeps saying what a “good person” Tom is. Yeah, we get it, he’s a nice guy. I have no doubt about that. Tom is looking very subdued. Oh, there’s the crazy smile and awkward laughter. Tom’s says some things make him nervous. I bet holding those e-meter cans make him nervous. Talking to Oprah seems to be making him nervous.
Oh goody it’s the Beckhams. Blah, blah, blah, “Jerry Maguire” makes us cry, Tom and David like to eat Mexican food while their wives like to *think* about eating food, poor Katie, surrounded by goofballs. Posh and Becks need to get a room, and David needs to shave that ridiculous beard off.
We’ve moved on Tom’s scariest stunt, boy he looks good in “MI:1″ hanging from the rock. Oprah asked Tom why he did his own dangerous stunts, Tom said, “I really wanted to give the audience a thrill.”
Jamie Foxx is now introducing the “Born On The 4th of July” Tom, whom many say was Tom’s major shot at an Oscar, truly, he really did deserve an Oscar, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Tom says he gave his all for “Born On The Fourth of July.” In Andrew Morton’s book about Cruise, this was reiterated and Morton portrays a man who deeply cared about telling this story and capturing the essence of heartache and redemption he found in the character he played, the real life veteran, Ron Kovac.
Moving on to “Rain Man,” Dustin Hoffman admits ad-libbing a “fart scene” in the film and both actors worked around the social faux paux. Dustin Hoffman pays tribute to his “film-brother” including enjoying some matzo ball soup with a cardboard cutout of a lifesize Cruise. Tom knows a lot of famous people.
More fart talk. Did Oprah just say “fart?” Geez, can we move on, please. Enough.
Oh, now we move on to Jack Nicholson and “A Few Good Men.” Tom was good in that too. But it begs the question, “Can Tom Handle The Truth About His Own Faith?” He does a fairly convincing Jack Nicholson, but the poor guy still looks like he’s waiting for Xenu to show up. Maybe Oprah farted and he’s trying to hold his breath. I still can’t believe Oprah said “fart.” What the hell is daytime TV coming too?
Awww…Dakota Fanning’s talking about Tom carrying her around in the movie “War Of The World” and how he bumps fists with everyone, even lowlifes on the set. Do you think Tom would bump fists with me? Dakota’s cute and precocious. Tom loves everybody. Tom’s everybody’s best friend. Everybody’s part of the team. Tom loves Oprah, Oprah loves Tom. Oprah loves money too.
OH NO, Steven Spielberg’s been dragged into this whole big lovefest. The filmmaker mentions “Magnolia” as his favorite film of Tom’s. They show Tom crying while sitting bedside with a dying Jason Robards who played his estranged father in “Magnolia,” which was very much like a real-life Tom and his own estranged and creepy father. Tom really was great in Magnolia, but some say that’s because playing a misogynistic womanizer was just Tom playing himself. I don’t agree. Tom’s a lot of things, but he’s not a misogynist. Tom seemed genuinely touched by Steven’s kind words, probably surprised considering the two haven’t really been on good terms since he choose to stump for Scientology rather than promote their film “War Of the Worlds,” which was a fantastic film btw.
Tom still seems like someone slipped him some Xanax. Someone from the audience asked Tom what he’d do on his day off, Tom says “crawl around on the floor with the kids..fly his plane..go to the beach..ride his motorcycle.. and eat dinner.” Oprah confirms Tom likes to do normal things.
Someone asked if Tom has accomplished all his dreams, Tom says, “No” but he can’t believe how much he has accomplished and thanks his fans.
Tom’s talking about how he really enjoys being on the movie set, it gives his life meaning, Oh and Kate and the kids are cool too, but making movies is DA BOMB.
I really am getting concerned about Tom being on some sort of sedative. I mean isn’t there a place in between jumping on the couch and being catatonic? Poor Tom, seriously, this man has something weighing heavily on his mind. The weight is almost palpable in his overall demeanor. It’s like he wants to say something, but can’t quite muster the courage to do so.
Awww, pics of Suri, Tom and Katie. It’s almost like Connor and Isabella don’t even exist.
Suri turned two in April and Tom reveals the little imp calls her dad “Dada Cruise.” Hmmm…that’s sort of weird.
Oh here we go with the parting gift for the audience, a copy of every one of Tom’s films starting with Risky Business. That’s a pretty nice gift, assuming you are a Cruise fan.
Yep, fluff piece is extra fluffy with a side helping of marshmallows and cotton candy. Tom is looking sincere at Oprah thanking her, it’s obvious he feels he owes her one for letting him back on her couch.
Tom, if you want to revamp your career, you surely don’t need professional celebrity butt-kisser Oprah to do that, just come forward, denounce that creepy abusive cult you belong to and all will be forgiven. At least from me.
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You’re right, if given the opportunity to do a retrospective on you, there would be a fair amount of ball-busting! In all fairness, you, me and the entire planet knew this whole interview was bound to be a fluff piece. Oprah is too much of an ass kisser to play hard ball and give a “real” interview. Plus, she’s probably afraid of the “church’s” scare tactics. She’s nothing but a big phat phony!
Comment by D-Bomb — May 5, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
the big O needs to go away, she is worse than britney when it comes to media attention. can i ever have just one oprah free day? just one where her name isn’t in the regular news or celeb news? just one? that’s not too much to ask, is it?
btw-great piece D, i loved it!!
Comment by sally — May 5, 2008 @ 6:08 pm
Sorry Glossy, you’re being kind, but gotta disagree with you.
Tom Cruise can’t act.
John Hurt, Giancarlo Giannini, Robert DeNiro, Meryl Streep.
Them’s some actors
Comment by marcab — May 5, 2008 @ 6:15 pm
Hey, it’s not just Buddy Elf who says, “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.” That’s Oprah’s mantra, too. And Tommy’s. And anyone who buys into their crap.
Comment by Joanie — May 5, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
D said: “Oh, now we move on to Jack Nicholson and “A Few Good Men.†Tom was good in that too. But it begs the question, “Can Tom Handle The Truth About His Own Faith?†He does a fairly convincing Jack Nicholson, but the poor guy still looks like he’s waiting for Xenu to show up.”
I say: Speaking of “showing up”… did you notice that JACK didn’t. Tom’s other major co-stars did the necessary retrospective video butt kissing, but Jack didn’t.
Makes you wonder, right?
D said: “Awww, pics of Suri, Tom and Katie. It’s almost like Connor and Isabella don’t even exist.”
I say: If he talks about C & I that means he ALSO has to talk about N. And “N” isn’t a subject he wants to bring up unless he’s got absolutely no choice. Because people still LOVE N and are likely to want to kick the ass of the man who dumped her like week old trash.
Also, I LOVED how they contrived this “25th Anniversary” to give an excuse for this lovefest. Because the 27 years Tom has ACTUALLY been in movies wasn’t as easy an excuse to use.
Comment by Wiley — May 5, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
I actually got this on DVR today…my daughter let me have the TV.
I so need to watch it. Or do I? It sounds like I’d want to punch the screen. And it’s a really nice TV…
Comment by k — May 5, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
Why don’t we put fliers all over Christian churches about the “Church” of $cientology having better tax exempt status than their churches? If all of anonymous did this wouldn’t the movement grow exponentially? Let’s set dates? Please respond. I’m doing it even if you guys don’t.
Comment by Anonymous — May 5, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
Tom seems to be playing the part he played in Risky Business - the dutiful son to OCD control freaks.
Maybe it’s time for a new film — Risky Spirituality — in which Tom just says f*** it to spiritual father David Miscavige…
Comment by Clayton — May 5, 2008 @ 9:28 pm
I have yet to watch it, but did Kelly McGillis come on and say anything?
What about Nicole? After all, she was in two of his movies, right? Days Of Thunder and Far And Away? (I’m kidding, I kid)
Or Ron Howard?
(oh wait, there were three…forgot about Eyes Wide Shut)
Comment by k — May 5, 2008 @ 10:12 pm
No, k. Those three sane individuals did not make video messages (at least ones that AIRED). I don’t believe they were ASKED to show. The only reason JACK stood out to me is that the episode specifically made a big deal of showing a clip from that movie, and then Tommy doing his Jack impression. It would have been ALL too natural for the show to reply back with Jack on video, but of course that would have required Jack being something he apparently is not–a brainless toady.
Anyone who thinks that Oprah’s Harpo staff steered this guest list and “surprised” Tom with these videos should take a look at a bridge I’m selling between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Or maybe it IS possible he was surprised, as long as his Scientology handler (or possibly David Miscavige himself) vetted the “talk to” list and THEN got subsequent approval rights on how the video messages were edited. There’s a real story, no doubt, on how this was all assembled that will likely never come out, since Oprah’s people seem pretty tightly held on their leashes.
Actually, maybe Oprah’s beliefs WERE taken somewhat into account. Certainly the first version of the “talk to” list came from Harpo, BEFORE the Scientologists vetted and snipped from it. Since Oprah seems to believe that only Superfamous Superrich people MATTER, that probably explains why Kelly McGillis wasn’t asked. And yeah, we can have a nice laugh about the “dodge/erase Nicole” game they played. But Ron Howard would seem to be a prominent no show. And come to think of it… Oliver Stone too. Oh wait. Spielberg is richer and more famous. So maybe THAT’S why he was picked.
Comment by Wiley — May 6, 2008 @ 4:23 am
To understand why Oprah may have been so soft on Tom check out the link below. Apparently Oprah has been drawn in to another money grubbing cult but instead of “body thetans” we have “pain bodies”.
As for the 25th ANNIVERSARY OF RISKY BUSINESS:
Gone with the Wind or Citizen Kane is isn’t.
Silly excuse to try and salvage his “career”.
Comment by Rachel — May 6, 2008 @ 8:08 am
oops, here it is:
http://www.cultnews.com/
Comment by Rachel — May 6, 2008 @ 8:08 am
Yet even more reasons for me to hate Oprah. I truly can’t stand the constant money/famous angle she takes.
She truly makes me sick and there will be a story soon about how I believe she is one of the most unhappy people in entertainment.
Comment by k — May 6, 2008 @ 10:09 am
Tom doesn’t really know much about the negative aspects of Scientology. He only sees the goals. He probably never read dianetics, so he didn’t get sold the original false data.
I’m not saying that Tom is above reproach, just that the problem with scientology is primarily it’s leadership and it’s policies, their beliefs on life are not really all that bad, that’s why people stay in for years and years, because it’s not all evil, just the rotten core.
Comment by Mike — May 6, 2008 @ 11:00 am
Go K, take her down, i can’t wait!!
Comment by sally — May 6, 2008 @ 11:20 am
My sister had a theory about the crew for the Telluride interview shoot(part 1) being Scientologists or Cruise-approved, because Oprah mentions that the crew informed her about it being a sugar heavy household. Maybe they had to go up earlier to get other shots or whatever, but I thought it was a good point.
I am so torn about what I think about Tom. I am the same age as Katie and he was my number one heart throb for most of my life. I still like to think he is a good and kind man, a lot of evidence points that way. I don’t like to think he knows about the dark underbelly of Scientology and the maniacal reign of his buddy, Miscavige, but he has to know something. Or is he just really gullible or really stupid or really brainwashed?
I hope he comes to his senses and gets out before he ruins the lives of his whole family and possibly his children’s relationship with Nicole.
He does seem quite humble and grateful, almost contrite, and yes, sedate and beaten down. I pray for you Tom.
Comment by knw — May 6, 2008 @ 11:26 am
amen
Comment by tuffyt — May 6, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
Joel Goodsen
* [voiceover] The dream is always the same. Instead of going home, I go to the neighbors’. I ring, but nobody answers. The door is open, so I go inside. I’m looking around for the people, but nobody seems to be there. And then I hear the shower running, so I go upstairs to see what’s what. Then I see her; this… girl, this incredible girl. I mean, what she’s doing there I don’t know, because she doesn’t live there… but it’s a dream, so I go with it. “Who’s there?” she says. “Joel,” I say. “What are you doing here?” “I don’t know what I’m doing here; what are you doing here?” “I’m taking a shower,” she says. Then I give her: “You want me to go?” “No,” she says; “I want you to wash my back.” So now, I’m gettin’ enthusiastic about this dream. So I go to her, but she’s hard to find through all the steam and stuff; I keep losing her. Finally I get to the door… and I… find myself in a room full of kids taking their college boards. I’m over three hours late; I’ve got two minutes to take the whole test. I’ve… just made a terrible mistake. I’ll never get to college. My life is ruined.
Comment by garry — May 6, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
He was depressed, period. It is obvious he can’t fake hapiness anymore.
I prefer him lighten up last time on oprah, people are regretting it. I do. I will always be his fan, he can count on me, I will never let him down, never give you up.
ps: Nicholson frequently mentions how a great acotr Tom is and he likes Tom a lot.
Nobody dislike him, only the tabloids addicts
Comment by Helen — May 7, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
The only way Tom is going to save his career is to leave his cult and publicly speak out against it.
Will he do it ?
I doubt it - he’s in too deep.
This is a guy that’s poured decades of time & money into this scam. God knows what they have on him, what he’s admitted in those brainwashing sessions.
Hell, the guy is still out there recruiting for them like a good boy. He just sent his wife to a brainwashing spa, sent his adopted kids to the cult boot camp and got Will Smith to fund a Scientology based school.
It’s too late. He’s gone too far.
Comment by Yoseph — June 3, 2008 @ 1:49 am
Approached this with a lot of “Yeah, sure” cynicism. But while watching it, in almost every scene of Tom acting, I got chillbumps. This man may be wacko, but he can act. I don’t even know if he’s wacko. We can’t get inside anyone’s head. It’s just amazing the kind of emotions he can pull from — I had forgotten. However, O overdid it big-time and I think she came out looking more like the nutcase than he did — what a 180. Tom’s definitely holding back a lot (a sense of privacy is pretty normal), but he does seem very, very sedated or either worn-out (all these interviews will do that to a person). But he was gracious and courteous.
Comment by Catharina — December 16, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
[...] monthly protests in front of Scientology Orgs, protesting Katie Holmes’ Broadway debut, mea culpas on Oprah and Matt Lauer’s couch, Tom’s probably feeling a little overwhelmed. Who could blame a [...]
Pingback by GlossLip » Did Tom Cruise Build $10 Million Dollar Bunker To Protect Himself From Aliens Or Critics? — January 5, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
[...] monthly protests in front of Scientology Orgs, protesting Katie Holmes’ Broadway debut, mea culpas on Oprah and Matt Lauer’s couch, Tom’s probably feeling a little overwhelmed. Who could blame a [...]
Pingback by Celebrity Blog | Babelogs | Celebrity Gossip » Blog Archive » Did Tom Cruise Build $10 Million Dollar Bunker To Protect Himself From Aliens Or Critics? — January 6, 2009 @ 3:08 am
What happened to Lesley?! I thought they were besties before Mandy came along…
Comment by Bradyn Leon — March 5, 2009 @ 10:50 pm