TV Guidance

Jaime Weinman writes about all kinds of television and other kinds of popular culture. He does not write Gossip Girl episode reviews. Follow Jaime on Twitter: @weinmanj

Categories: TV Guidance

Joaquin Phoenix, Performance Artist?

by Jaime Weinman on Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:33am - 13 Comments

Joaquin Phoenix’s appearance on David Letterman last night is already a classic what-the-hell-was-that moment, and it’s got people wondering if it’s real or just staged, Borat-like, for Casey Affleck’s film about Phoenix and his music career. There has already been speculation that the music career is just a hoax and the documentary is intended to be a comedy, and if so, this performance is just part of the gag. But it doesn’t really matter what he’s up to; if this clip is any evidence, the documentary will be a comedy of pain and awkwardness, whether intentionally or not.

Tags: David Letterman, Joaquin Phoenix

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Paul Wells

Launching his Conservative leadership bid.
hems

Is Joaquin doing your jingles Paul?
J@ck M!tchell

This is classic, what a tremendous performance by Phoenix.
Bailey

It was definitely one of those classic moments last night watching it.

But I noticed at the end of it, when he got up, he shook Letterman’s hand and then showed him his eyes, which I thought was odd. Especially the handshake. At times, it definitely did seem like it was a bit of an act.
Kate

Yikes – Letterman comes off pretty unlikable in this. Then again, I don’t watch his show all that often so maybe he is like this most of the time?
Fred

“Launching his Conservative leadership bid.”

No. More likely applying for your job.
Bill Simpson

I thought it was hilarious, and Letterman had to be in on this. Phoenix looked like he was about to crack up half a dozen times.
Dot

Best to watch if you turn your volume up to 11 (if your receiver goes that high)
http://www.cinephobia.com Stephen Rowley

The infamous 1987 Crispin Glover / Letterman clip is weirder I think (and there is also debate about how much of that was an act): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALapHYNSmoA
fistsoffury

Letterman’s a funny dude. Reminds me of Mike Bullard at his obnoxious best!
http://www.coffeerama.com Joe

judging by Joaquin’s appearance on the Letterman show, he might be going through an identity crisis
David Cadogan

Saw it. Resented the waste of my time and attention.
http://theopenend.com herocious

So… let me get this straight. This successful movie actor is creating a fictional joaquin phoenix who is going to become a rapper, releasing, in the process, an as-of-yet titled documentary on the making of his rapping joaquin phoenix, and then after its release, the creator, Joaquin Phoenix, is going back to movie acting? How bizarre.

For more information on the hip-hop journey of Joaquin Phoenix, check TOE’s post out:

::the open end::