Mind Your Temper, Russell Crowe

Commentary by Radio Show Host Simon Bates

It was the rock star Sting, who sounded the alarm bells, when he gently pointed out to a TV director that the winner of Best Actor in the British Film Awards, Russell Crowe, er, wanted a word with him. Learning that Russell Crowe "wants a word with you" can cause the heart to beat a little faster.

You see, Mr Crowe has a rather quick temper. On this occasion, Russell wasn't just cross, he was incensed. More accurately he was beside himself.

You see, the TV Director Malcolm Gerrie, who's an old friend of mine, had decided to edit out part of the long acceptance speech Russell made, before it was screened on British TV. And Russell wanted to see Malcolm. The result was that Malcolm spent several frightening minutes pinned against a wall by the Oscar-winning actor from "Gladiator," who told him that he'd never work in Hollywood. Well, to be honest, I can tell you that Malcolm has never really wanted to work in Hollywood. Anyway, he was eventually released, shocked but unhurt, and relieved that his face wasn't going to need plastic surgery. Others who've clashed with Russell Crowe haven't got off so easily. There've been stories of punch ups and difficult behaviour for years. Here in London, he insisted on leaving restaurants at the end of a meal by the back entrance, even though no one knew who the hell he was.

So, what's with Russell Crowe? Is he a star on the point of self destruct? Has his ego got the better of him? Is he trying to recreate those great days of Hollywood, when the likes of Robert Mitchum, James Dean and Marlon Brando could act brilliantly, behave badly and get themselves variously in the courts, jail and the papers as a result? Is he two kangaroos short in the top paddock, as they say in Australia? No, it's much simpler than that. You see our Russell is a disappointed man. Years ago, as a kid in New Zealand, he wanted, no he longed, to be a rock star. These days he still has a band. Thirty Odd Foot Of Grunts, it's called, and you've never heard of them. You see, the thing about our Russell is that he's a great actor, an Oscar winner, but a failed rock star... and he hasn't come to terms with that yet. Or maybe he has? Because, hot off the presses comes news that Russell has finally apologised to my director friend. After all, it is only a few weeks till the Oscars.