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He's one of Hollywood's
hottest actors and, with Natural Born Killers among
his starring roles, is no stranger to controversy.
But now Woody
Harrelson has taken another brave step - he's
passionately defended George Michael
over his anti-Bush and Blair single Shoot The Dog.
The 41-year-old star -
currently appearing in On An Average Day opposite
Kyle MacLachlan at the Comedy Theatre
in London - has hit out at the backlash against the
song's lyrics which criticise George Bush,
Tony Blair and the war on terror
since September 11.
At his play's after-show
party on Wednesday night, Woody told Jessica:
"I saw the Daily Mirror's front page
on George Michael and I thought it was brilliant. I've
always been a fan but he's right up there now. I think
he's a great guy.
"I haven't seen the video
for his song but I was fascinated by what he had to
say.
"He's incredibly brave to
have done that song. Especially when doing something
like that could be considered very dangerous in
today's world."
Harrelson - who is famous
for his role as the dim barman Woody in Cheers and who
stunned audiences with his powerful portrayal of a
murderer in Natural Born Killers - is the first
American to stand up and defend the 39-year-old
British singer.
DEFENDER: Harrelson talks to the Mirror's Jessica
Callan
The former Wham! star
caused outrage by using the Daily Mirror's Howdy
Poodle front page, which poked fun at the special
relationship between Britain and the US, on the
single's cover.
"I can't believe he got so
criticised in America for it. It's so unfair," said
Woody. "I hear he's too scared to go over to the
States now. What a joke. I'd really like to meet
George.
"I want to congratulate
him on standing up and speaking out.
"I totally support him and
wish him all the best. It would really make my day if
you could set up a meeting with me and George. I just
want to shake that guy by the hand."
He also had nothing but
praise for the Daily Mirror.
"I have one thing to say
about the Mirror - it's amazing," he said. "The
paper's stance on the war against terrorism is just
right. It's so bold.
"The war against terrorism
is terrorism. The whole thing is just bullsh*t. What
you guys have done is very brave."
Woody - who was with his
wife Laura and their two daughters
Deni, nine, and five-year-old
Zoe at the party at Adam Street private
members' club - has been living in London for two
months. He has homes in Hawaii and Costa Rica and
proclaims to be a vegan, although he was gobbling up
the canapes at the party.
"I love it over here,
man," he grinned, sipping a pint of beer.
"I've been really busy but
now the play has started I want to have a little fun.
There's a little spot I go to but I'd rather not tell
you where it is."
London cab driver
Les Dartnell also attended the play.
In June Woody was wrestled
to the ground by policemen and arrested after he went
berserk in the back of Les's taxi. The cabbie said the
star acted like a "caged animal".
Within minutes of Les
picking the actor up from Chinawhite at 2am, Woody had
trashed the cab. He then booted the door open and made
a run for it.
Les dropped the charges
after Woody paid him £542.96 and the two men shook
hands after the play. "He said, 'No hard feelings',"
said Woody. "He seemed like a nice guy. It's just one
of those terrible circumstances." |