Ok, yes. Mel Gibson called Chicago entertainment reporter Dean Richards an “a–hole” at WGN-TV yesterday. But let’s acknowledge the circumstances that led to the Edge Of Darkness star’s profanity.

• Mel was tired. First thing Richards does is thank Mel for appearing for a live-via-satellite interview so early in the morning. While visibly a little edgy, the actor laughs and flashes his coffee cup. Pleasant enough.
• Mel was called an old man. Richards opens the interview by saying the film was “like visiting an old friend” and asking if it was tougher to do stunts now. Mel diplomatically admits it “always gets harder” and that you don’t “bounce back” as easily, and makes a chiropractor joke. See? He didn’t start pissed off.
• Mel kind of already answered the question. When asked why he stopped starring in films after 2002’s Signs, Mel says he had some “bad habits” he wanted to shake off, and says he hopes “maturation has done its job in another way.” Kinda vague, but he’s earned a nice, puffball question, right?
• Mel kind of already answered the question twice. Richards asks him if he thinks he’s a better person than he was four years ago, following a lot of “ups and downs”—what are you, Barbara Walters, Dean?—and Mel gives an honest reaction, saying it’s been a “real rollercoaster” but that “time teaches and you learn as go.” Time to talk about the movie again, right?
• This guy really was an a–hole. Refusing to drop the subject, Richards asks if Mel thinks the public will accept him after the “drinking problems…anti-semitic rant.” Classy! “That’s almost four years ago, dude,” the star responds. “I’ve moved on, I guess you haven’t.” Dean asks again. “I certainly hope they have. I’ve done all the necessary mea culpas. Let’s move on.” Rather than move on, Richards ends the interview with a loaded “good to see you back in the saddle and doing what you do best” (which apparently isn’t directing blockbuster epics like Passion Of The Christ). Mel gives him a thumbs up and a “bye bye” before muttering “a–hole.”
• So was the network. In the aired interview, posted after the jump, WGN apparently excised Mel’s parting gift to the reporter, only to publish it online when they realized what a score they had. While no one denies Mad Max is a hot head with some less-than-lovable traits, it’s hard to call his actions here anything more than justified.

The aired interview:

Honestly, the surprising thing is that his thumb wasn’t a middle finger.