Mel Gibson once again attempted to brush off his years of racist, anti-Semitic behavior on The Late Show last night. This time his semi-contrition took the form of a shrug and a punchline in a “Big Questions” sketch alongside Stephen Colbert. The host asked Gibson: “If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?“ Gibson’s answer? “Don’t be so caught up in the little things, take advantage of all the gifts the world has to offer, live every day to the fullest, and I’d also tell myself, my younger self, to shut the fuck up.” So, you know, don’t say things like “the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world” or use the term “wetbacks.” Stuff like that.
Earlier in the bit Colbert wondered if Gibson will have any regrets. “Not one,” Gibson responds. “They tend to come in clusters.” The hope is, one assumes, that if Mel Gibson can make fun of his copious scandals, people can feel comfortable going to see his new movie Hacksaw Ridge. But, of course, he does so without showing any real remorse for his actions. This, after all, is a man who says he has never “discriminated against anyone” despite abundant proof that he has. But, hey, remember when he was the Sexiest Man Alive? During his appearance, Gibson also talked about Resurrection, his follow-up to The Passion Of The Christ. The title works on many levels.