*Wasn’t it astounding to see Charlie Sheen as a presenter on the 63rd Emmy Awards? Not only was he allowed to be a presenter for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy category (the same category that earned him four nominations for “Men”) he was afforded the opportunity to offer an apology and well-wishes to the cast of “Two And A Half Men.” Sheen said, “”From the bottom of my heart, I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season.”
Moreover, Sheen tweeted a picture of he and Kutcher backstage. Overall, his appearance there was a brilliant stroke of Mastering PR and a highly strategic use of social media.
Although it’s great to see Sheen sober, it doesn’t seem fair that Sheen gets a redemption tour on national television while former “Grey’s Anatomy” star Isaiah Washington hasn’t been seen on any shows for about two years since he made one impolitic comment.
You may recall he referenced a “Grey’s Anatomy” cast member as a “faggot.” It appeared Washington meant it in light-hearted way. But the comment caused his removal from the show.
Sheen, on the other hand, personally attacked “Two and a Half Men” show creator and TV hit-maker Chuck Lorre with the most vicious slander openly shared as opposed to disclosure of a confidential show memo or a private phone call secretly recorded. Isn’t what Sheen did fitting of a definition of a “Hatemonger? (Hatemonger: one who disparages or belittles the worth of something or one who incites others to hatred or prejudice.)
Wasn’t that the point of Washington’s punitive dismissal and apparent ostracism?
So what’s the moral to this tale of two actors’ public relations faux pas:
1. Personal attacks are okay as long as they don’t offend one’s sexual preference?
2. Black actors are not entitled to redemption even after showing equal or greater contrition?
3. An unmalicious slip of the tongue is a 100 times worse than a personal vendetta campaign?
4. Washington should obtain a smarter public relations strategy (ie Tracy Morgan figured it out)?
5. Or is time for Hollywood to take on a bigger role on the world stage called Diversity?
Daniella Masterson is Publicist, Producer, Social Media Strategist. She writes a weekly blog titled MasteringPR at Masteringpr.blogspot.com
