'Outrageous Tonight'

I couldn't agree with you more.. While I admit I will watch their drivel on occassion, I stopped watching it regularly after their Howard Stern lovefest .. and now their flip to Larry Birkhead after the fact-- like they were always in his corner!!!

After they first had shown the clip, Myself and my friends started emailing CBS to complain about the fact that they used footage that was 2 years old-- he may or may not have had a problem still and can't even defend himself if it comes up a combination of walking pneumonia, cold meds and his sleeping pills, which could all be in unlethal dosages, but cumulatively could cause respiration distress/depression.. enough to cause arrest and death... will they retract their accusations then and apologize to his family, friends, and collegues (sp) who will now always have tainted memories and perceptions of him???

Thank you for your scruples in not following their lead... as we told CBS,

"Do you want to follow in the lead of Walter Cronkite and Eric Severide.. or that of Dan Rather during the Bush Airforce memo debacle??"

Thanks again

A ND Fan

"I struggle with every type of borderline exploitive material. I'm a constant pain to our Executive Producer as I worry too much that things go too far. Ask him."

Really? Is that why it's okay to air the train wreck of Brittany Spears nervous breakdown every single second it's happening? To pay the rent for the stalking photographers and reporters who can't get enough of the carnage of the person and the career that once was all about youth and health and beauty? My God. Stop being so sanctimonious. If it bothers you so much to be so salacious, get out from in front of those hot lights, Mr. Bush. Do something else for living. You live off the lives - and deaths - of these people, just like your competitors. Just because you might think you have a conscience, it is quite a selective one.

hmmmmm - wow. This is perhaps the most ridiculous post ever drafted by a gossip columnist. Amidst streaming footage of a very mentally ill Britney Spears being pushed by every media outlet (including this one) on the planet - you have the nerve to talk about bad taste and opportunism? Is it because Heath was more talented that his privacy should be respected? Or is it because he was a man? Whatever.

Kudos for not airing that trash. That kind of stuff is why my wife and I stopped watching ET. When I saw all the horrible Anna Nichole coverage and the Tonya Harding makeovers I switched to your show. I'm glad I did.

I lumped these shows into the same catagory, too, but no longer. Thanks ET and The Insider for giving me a good reason to not watch your shows ever again.

I agree with Laughing. How hypocritical of you to be chastising ET when you show all the footage of the paparazzi stalking Britney 24 hours a day, among other things.

And the way AH has treated the Anna Nicole Smith saga - basically calling Howard K. Stern a murderer - when the man has never been charged with ANYTHING, is deplorable. Tony Potts slammed Howard at every turn for months, sucking up to Larry Birkhead (until he jumped ship for ET and THE INSIDER)!

Get off your high horse, Billy. You're the POT calling the KETTLE black, and no one is buying it.

I couldn't believe ET and the Insider would air such crap!!!! So disrespectful. He hasn't even been buried yet!!!! Yes, he was a celebrity, but he was also a friend, a boyfriend, uncle, brother-in-law, brother, grandson, son and father. He was just like us, a human being.
I wish everyone would stop all the speculation and wait for the facts!!!
I am personally still struggling to understand why his death as affected me so much. I didn't know him. I never had the pleasure of meeting him and I wasn't a super fan. I did enjoyed all of his work and thought he was a brilliant actor. Maybe it's b/c I have a 17 month old and can't imagine him growing up without his Daddy. It really hit home.
I feel terrible for his family and especially for Michelle and Matilda b/c now the WHOLE WORLD will watch their every move. Everyone will want to take care of Matilda and when Michelle is ready for a relationship/s they will all be scrutinized. I hope they have a strong family support system to get them through what is to come.

One moment, it's showing video of Heath Ledger supposedly doing drugs. Before that, it was showing the death photo of Anna Nicole Smith. And even before that, they let convicted child rapist Mary Kay Letourneau take over their show for two weeks, using their cameras to show her marrying the individual (now an adult) that she repeatedly raped. What ever happened to the "entertainment" in Entertainment Tonight???!!!

Sadly, it was replaced by some disgusting, low-rent, bottom-feeding version of it called "ET". And if your "ET," you can pull this type of crap and get away with it, because the minute you complain, they'll just say something like "Is the word 'entertaiment' in our show's title? NO!! So stop bugging us!! Go someplace else if you want entertainment news. We're only interested in scrapping the toilet bowl to get our Lamborghini payments!!!"

In any case, unlike Billy Bush, I'm not surprised that Mary Hart would be involved in this sort of crap. I'm surprised, though, that he thinks that Mary is...an innocent in all of this??? That she just reads whatever is handed to her??? That, IMHO, is a load of crap!!

Who are we trying to kid??? Like Barbara Walters, that woman sold out a LONG time ago!!! I refuse to believe that she has no say-so in any of this!!! She didn't have to read that disgusting filth!!! It's all about the money, and Mary Hart will do any disgusting thing she has to to keep that money flow uninterrupted.

In any case, the only way to deal with this is not to get mad, but get even. That can take the form of simply not watching that pathetic shell of a so-called "respectable" program that claim to report entertainment news. Flip the switch!! That's what I did a long time ago, and you can do it, too!! I'd also take the time to call up the local affiliate that airs it in your area & complain to them about it. Let them know that you're not going to watch filth like that, and that they should replace it with something respectable...like Access Hollywood. ;-)

BTW: Kudos to you, Billy, for having the guts to say what needs to be said. BRAVO!!!

I applaud you for finally stepping up the plate.....About time somebody did...all celebrities should band together to stop all this sensationalism.....it is very tragic that a young man died.....it is not necessary for the world to know whether he had a drug problem or not!.....let the family grieve in peace.....

Good Job Billy!

WAY TO GO BILLY. THERE IS NO END TO WHAT THE MEDIA WILL DO TO GET A STORYLINE AND DRAG IT THROUGH THE MUD. THIS TALENTED (AND LOVED) HUMAN BEING WAS FLAWED, HOWEVER, HE DESERVES THE RESPECT AND NECESSARY MOURNING THAT HIS LOVED ONES ARE EXPERIENCING NOW. NICE TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE REPORTERS LIKE YOU WHO HAVE A CONSCIENCE AND A DESIRE TO RESPECT BOUNDARIES.

FINALLY... Someone in the same industry coming out and saying what the world is thinking.. ARE YOU SERIOUS?? What on Earth was the ET/insider brass thinking?? I was a loyal fan of ET..*God knows why* but.. After that disgusting display of gutter rat behavior.. no more.. Not only did they SHOW the video saying.."We'll show the video tomorrow" but then cut and run when it gets too hot all the while trying to seem like the good guys..
The Ledger family lost their son, brother, Matilda lost her FATHER, countless friends are grieving, and a world wide league of fans lost a great talent. In all of this, ET/Insider lost the ability to have empathy, sympathy and common sense, APPARENTLY..

You're right Billy... Gross.. Sooo.. Gross

Billy,

You are the hypocrite... Why don't you take a look at all the other videos you run of celebrities in an unflattering manner. The only reason you wont run this tape is that Heath is an A level celebrity.... if it was Britney Spears you would show her with the blood still warm on her body..... Billy you are the problem..... You ran the Baldwin tape which completely humiliated a 13 year old girl !!!! Did that bother you? No because Baldwin was fair game and not a big star at the time.... Why dont you do the country a service and show the tape so that Amercians can idolize people who deserve to be idolized like Desmond Tutu or Mother Teresa Billy, you are a joke and a parasite feeding on the slow decaying soul of America's character.....

I love Access Hollywood, but get off your high horse Mr. Bush.

While I don't agree with ET's decision to air the Heat Ledger's footage, I don't think AH's judgment is any better. Case in point: Britney Spears. AH has been airing Britney Spears' breakdown. She wasn't partying. She wasn't acting drunk. She is suffering (perhaps) from a mental problem. Is it really ok to have such extensive coverage on someone who clearly isn't well? Is AH going to wait until she DIES before doing something 'tasteless'?????

The fact of the matter is, the people of AH, just as Mary Hart, have very difficult decisions to make.

Wow. Billy Bush, shut up!

Had "Access Hollywood' gotten it's hands on this video they would have ran with it and you know it.

Sounds to me your only upset because ET/The Insider beat you to it!

Ouch, you are an angry man. Perhaps you should turn the mirror on yourself and see how foolish you look.

You look like an idiot. And, you look exactly like George W. Bush! Your job is a joke...you should be ashamed of yourself for perpetuating this sort of story.

To Mr. Billy Bush,

I couldn't agree with you more that it was totally wrong to run that story at this time while the family and friends of Mr. Heath Ledger are just starting to go through their long and painful grieving process. I am so glad that you have chosen to speak up at this time. Ms. Hart should have also spoken up and I am sorry she chose not to do so. That saddens me. I am sure you will take some flack for speaking your mind, but you have my full support.
I don't know that this story will be of any importance even down the road, unless of course it is directly connected to Mr. Ledger's death...and I suspect that it won't be. I think they will likely find that it was the legally prescribed drugs taken in the wrong combination that caused his untimely death. His beautiful little girl deserves more care and consideration than to show this tape. With the way they can alter things these days, you don't always know if what you are seeing is the truth or if it has been changed just so someone can make money on someone else's grief. Shows and people really need to be more careful in a world where things aren't always as they seem.

I agree with everything you said, Billy. The only reason I watch AH is because you, Nancy and the others are actually worth watching. You offer up a bit of "entertainment" news with substance rather than the same old junk the "others" have to give. I have always enjoyed watching you and Nancy. You're funny, smart and I can always tell that the people you interview seem to like being interviewed by you. I never sensed that when I used to watch "ET".

I'm glad you spoke your mind and even though you may be a thorn in your EP's side, you have a lot of people watching so keep on doing what you're doing. I bet you go to bed each night with a clear conscience.

Thank You, Billy Bush, thank you, as well as everyone at Access Hollywood for making the decision not to air the Heath Ledger video/pictures. Class act.

Best,
Liza

I would like to say thank you billy I'm sure you guys had the opportunity to air the video and you chose not to and about britney and ann nicole those two girls made a living with the cameras anna nicole wouldn't have been a celebrity if it wasn't for people taking pictures of her and we would be saying britney who but heath didn't need his picture in the magazines he didn't even have to give interviews about his personal life he was famous for his acting so there's a difference we all chose the life we want to live and those two women chose that life britney wanted to be on every magazine and even had a reality tv show and so did anna they asked for more fame and they got it so guess what people heath was famous for brokeback mountain yes his work not for marrying a millionaire or shaving your head but I do have to say back off those two women not for them but they too have families

Billy Bush-What a hypocrite! Access Hollywood is the first to jump on a story of sensationalism. In fact, you can beat the story to death! Look how you handled the death of Anna Nicole Smith and now Britney Spears. Clearly this was a matter for the families to deal with, not the media. Access Hollywood doesn't even air accurate footage. I think you're just upset that AH didn't obtain the tape first. Isn't it always about the ratings Billy. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

So sorry that any of this happened. He appeared to be so full of life and hopes for the future. It is a tragic loss, a bit of my heart broke too. I wish there were a way to comfort his friends and family; maybe with the privacy they are asking for.

Good Job Billy!
Although I will agree with a few posts regardig all the Britney crap that is aired everynight, I am happy to see someone stand up and say what everyone else was thinking.
I have found that Access Hollywood seems to often cover positive stories about celebrities. Of course you run teasers and make stories sound jucier than they are....that's advertising! I would go so far as to say that Access typically sticks up for celebs and sets the record straight.
Heath's death caught the entire world off gaurd and saddened his fans...can you possibly imagine being his family?! His position as an actor and a celebrity does not give anyone the right to tarnish his image and legacy. His family has suffered enough! Thanks Billy!

I'M GLAD YOU HAVE SOME HART AND MORALS LEFT.
I STOP WATCHING THIS KIND OF SHOWS ITS NOT WORTH MY TIME ANYMORE, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HARD OR SHAME LEFT,SAD BUT TRUE.

Mr. Bush, good for you.

Heath Ledger (and all of us, actually) at one time or another, do or have done things we wouldn't want to share with the world. For ET to dig up trash now, pay handsomely for it and then plan to run it, with no regard or remorse for his family but simply for ratings is quite truly reprehensible -- AND especially now (though no time seems appropriate) when we all (not just Hollywood) are adjusting to the shock of Mr. Ledger’s death and mourning the loss of such a young and vibrant person -- a Father, a Son, and a truly fine actor.

Thank you for taking a risk and a stand on this issue -- and shame on you Mary Hart and your associates.

To his family we pray that his soul rests in peace and that they find comfort in knowing he was a fine young man – perhaps somewhat flawed, as are we all, but loved and respected by those who knew him and those who did not. He will be missed by so many

Dear Billy,
AMEN!!!!!
Thank you, for saying what so many of us wanted to. As you have so honorably demonstrated, values, virtue, principles and dignity are NOT passe'.
Kindest regards,
Pat

I love watching you and Nancy. You two always show more respect when reporting news on celebrities. I saw clips of that video and could not believe ET would run crap like that. Yes, we are all watching stars like Britney go downhill, but thankfully, she is alive and Heath is not. He is dead and ET seems not to care about that. They should have more respect for the deceased. I am glad they were "forced" by people not to run that tape. Keep doing what you are doing Billy. I am with you!!

I'm so glad that someone spoke up about this tape. Just because someone is standing in a doorway, doesn't mean they are participating in whatever is happening inside. Does that sound like someone who is an addict to you? It sounds more like someone who had changed his life since his daughter was born and wouldn't even smoke pot anymore. If the worst thing he could say was that he used to smoke 5 joints a day, that's not an addict. You could tell that he wasn't a hard drug user because the worst thing he can come up with is pot smoking. Everything that I've come across about Heath Ledger is that he played around with a little pot and nothing more. Anyone who spoke so highly of his "girls" was a wonderful, kind hearted person who doesn't deserve this kind of abuse after a tragic accident. I URGE all of his friends to speak up on his behalf and don't let the media ruin this man's memory. Even his mention of his pot smoking was an exaggeration, if he'd been smoking 5 joints a day "for 20 years" he would have started at 8 YEARS OLD. He was only 28 for God's sake. We never heard anything before about him, so why would it suddenly show up now? He lived a normal life in Brooklyn, he was terribly upset about his break up with his girlfriend and separation from his daughter, he'd been sick, and was having trouble sleeping. Normal everyday things that added up to -- an accident. Not everyone in Hollywood is a drug addict or alcoholic - he was friends with Jake, someone who is highly regarded in the industry - it just doesn't add up to a drug addict to me. I am hoping that all of those so called friends who knew him will speak up and say that this was a nice guy that a bad thing happened to and give his family a break and do the right thing. God bless you Heath - not all of us think the worst. Some of us admired the man we saw and will miss what could have been.

Dear Mr. Bush,

I am glad someone in Hollywood has put the brakes on the smut. I NEVER read blogs or even comment, but your admirable behavior has inspired me. I am 61 years old and roll my eyes at most of this stuff. You all need to be policed once in a while. I read your comments on AOL. Thank you for trying to be respectful in a horrible tragedy Heath Ledger's family is enduring. To lose a child, oh my.

Don't lose track of the spine you have shown in your future journalism.

Best regards,
Shirley Ryan

Billy, you criticize them for trying to get ratings for sweeps, but isn't this exactly what you are trying to do by reacting this way? This obvious and pathetic "holier than thou" attitude is a thinly-veiled promotion for your own show. Give us all a break, and a little more credit. All you sleaze reporters are made from the same cloth - don't pretend to be something you are not...

Bravo Billy for speaking on behalf of a lot of us. It was dispicable of ET and The Insider to even consider airing something like that. Not to mention Mr. Ledger has not even been buried at the time. Also to Marie Volk(1st blogger) amazing! it was like you took the words out of my mouth...I agree with you 100%!

Thank you for stepping out and speaking on behalf of many people all over the world who are mourning together with Ledger's family at this time regarding the salacious actions of ET/TI. One thing for sure, Ledgers passing away is beyond words, and not only his beloved family (esp. Michelle and Matilda) and friends are suffering - but Hollywood and the world over. Whatever circumstances (pneumonia, drugs or whatever) why he left this world, truly - it DOES NOT DIMINISH the love we have for him as a doting father to his daughter, the admiration we will forever hold of him as an actor and the hearts and minds of people he has touched on so many levels through his work. It was amazing how the "support"/rally for the video to be pulled was done in a flash - it just goes to show the influence Ledger holds through his work. Time has changed dramatically since an actor of this calibre has gone too soon, and with all the technology and craziness possess today with lives of celebrities etc. - what happened here shows what people can do to stop glorification of such a tragedy if we stand together despite this age and time. Never seen anything like it before - remimds us that we can do anything and that we still have the power to stp such actions. I am amazed, so amazed at how such was done and I applaud you and all others who rallied to stop the airing of this video. It also makes me wonder how many other people have been videotaped in such a way without their knowing, whether during a party or any other occasion or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Will there be more salacious footage in the future if actors of this calibre leave this world? One could only wonder. Please let this be clear - whatever reason of his passing away, it truly does not matter - he was someones father, someones son, someones partner and someones hero. And this is crystal clear through so much love and support shown so far for his family and friends and mourning shared by many.
Him being a father perhaps surmounts all other roles he has brought to life onscreen and that endears him to us all.
Let the night skies be brighter with a new sparkling star in its midst.

Billy, more respect to you and understanding your audience.

Billy, Thank you so much for posting your blog. When my daughter called me and told me about the video that they were going to release, it made me ill. To know that people have gotten to such a low point is disgusting. It actually leaves you wondering why the good people, such as Heath, always get taken and we are left with these self-centered and very selfish mean people. I, like many others, did not know Mr. Heath Ledger personally, but he came across as a person who was kind, hardworking, loved his family and friends and who truly loved making movies for people to watch. What a joy it would have been to have known him on a personal level. For whatever reason, he was a special person who had an effect on people and you cannot explain why. I would personally like to say “Thank You” so very much for your words against the people at ET and Access for their unforgiveable act of opting to report on something that was meant to hurt and destroy someone. I cannot imagine what the purpose was by them actually paying money for this video and then showing it to their audience. By you speaking out, it truly says a lot about the person who you are. Words say a lot about a person and your support to Heath’s family and friends definitely proves that there are still good and honest people out there. People seem to always be afraid to speak out loud what they truly feel and I commend you for speaking out. Thank you very much.

Wow Billy. You are damned if you do and damned if you don't by the sound of some of these letters. I think you did RIGHT! I just lost my younger sister 6 weeks ago and the grief is overwhelming. I imagine I know pretty well how Heath's family feel, with the exception that every screwy thing she might have done in her past isn't being plastered all over for the world to see. I think every family deserves peace and respect when they lose a loved one, celebrities and "normal' folks alike. My prayers are with Heath's family and btw I have a feeling they will find he didn't die from abusing drugs. The guy was sick and it's easy, too easy to to medicate yourself maybe in a lethal way when you are sick.

Bush would climb into the casket with Ledger if he thought it would get ratings. He's a phony who got out-bid by ET. Slime.

BILLY I'M SO PROUD OF YOU! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, IT WAS SOMETHING NO ONE NEEDED TO SEE.LEAST HIS FAMILY AND ONE DAY MATILDA ROSE.
I HAVE STOPPED WATCHING THEM NOW AS I'M FED UP WITH ALL THE THINGS THEY SEEM TO DO NOW. THEY HAVE NO DIGITY!
THEY TOOK THE ANNA NICOLE STORY AND RAN WITH IT, THEN THEY RAMMED THE OSMOND'S(MARI AND DONNIE) DOWN OUR THROATS SINCE DANCING WITH THE STARS, AND NOW I THINK DONNIE OSMOND WORKS FOR THEM AS HE IS PLUGGING A TALK SHOW MARIE IS GOING TO DO. TO ME THEY ARE OVER THE HILL AND I'M OVER ET,THE OSMONDS AND THE REPORTING. WHOMEVER THE PRODUCER IS IS MAKING A TERRIBLE MISTAKE.
I WAS HORRIFIED THAT THEY WOULD PAY MONEY OUT TO THE PAP B/F OF BRITNEY SPEARS,I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK OVER THAT!
THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT WHO IS HURT AND HAVE BECOME MORE OF JUST PLAIN TABOLOID REPORTING THEN ENTERTAINMENT.
I'M 66 YRS. OLD AND I ASSCESS HOLLYWOOD. YOU DON'T GO OVER THE LINE,YET YOU,NANCY,MARIA AND SHAUN ARE DELIGHTFUL. KEEP THE GOOD WORK UP.
I'M NOT INTO THE REPORTING OF FACT PEOPLE IN FAT SUITS, I KNOW YOUR SHOW DID THAT AND THEY DID IT ALSO.
ENTERTAIMENT FOR THIS OLD GAL.
YOUR SHOW HAS DIGNITY,FUN AND I LOVE IT.
I'M QUITE SHOCKED AT MARY HART, I USE TO LOVE HER, BUT SHE IS GETTING PRETTY UP IN YEARS AS WELL AND NOT AS GOOD A REPORTER AS SHE ONCE WAS. NOW WE HAVE TO PUT UP WITH DONNIE OSMOND HAVING BOUGHT A JOB THERE!!! SO NO MORE ET FOR ME.
GOD BLESS ALL
YOUR FAN,
GIGI

Hi Billy

Bravo Billy! I'm a teacher in New Jersey. Thank you for being brave and speaking up in this way. You showed fellow Americans that we all need personal boundaries! You reflected strength of character, good morals, respect, and tact in expressing yourself.

We need more laws to protect personal privacy. It's ashame celebrities can not enjoy a healthy balance today of fame and privacy.

I hope your thoughts aloud will make people reconsider good morals, respecting others, and creating legal boundaries with celebrity news.

Blessings,
Nancy :)

wow here I am checking the news on AOL and what is there- a headline about your blog, I had to come read it- I couldn't agree with you more. And furthermore A father has died leaving his 2 year old daughter and his family with unanswered questions. Let this family grieve in peace.

While I agree that Heath's family should be left alone in their grief, it takes a huge set to attack ET for their decision to initially air the video in question. Why is Ledger being elevated to sainthood in death when he clearly made poor choices in life? If he, as a celeb, did not want to be seen as a drug abuser, then he should have made a better choice and not gone to that party. I am sick to death of people not taking responsibility for their actions. That being said, Access Hollywood has a ton of nerve pointing the finger at ET when they have been sensationalizing the whole Britney Spears fiasco. I also remember them making a huge deal of the disappearance of Olivia Newton-John's boyfriend in 2005, even going so far as to imply that Olivia was somehow involved. Get off you high horse, Billy. Heath had problems that he did not own up to. If he didn't want that footage taken, he should have made a better choice. Don't criticize ET.

Hi Billy,

I am so saddened and completely heartbroken by his death. Almost 2 weeks have gone by and i am still in tremendous shock! If I feel this much grief and loss for a man I could only have hope to have known...then I can only imagine how Michelle and his family and all of the other people that truly knew him must feel. He will be greatly missed and always loved throughout the world by so many people.

Heath was cut from a different cloth. He was more that “just a movie star.” He was beautiful and brilliant and reassured us that purity exists in a world that appears to be unraveling at its seams. I believe he felt every emotion completely, that’s why he was able to portray his characters so well on screen. I’ve loved Heath since I first saw him in 10 things I hate about you. As so many of his fans who’ve never met him have said, you felt like you knew him just by watching his work…and you knew you’d love the man behind the characters. His decent humanity shown through.

My stomach drops when thinking of the way the media tried (unsuccessfully) to commodify him. How the public’s insatiable need to know more More MORE and the paparazzi’s relentless pursuit of the next picture or story seemed to be crushing him. As Heath’s father said, “Heath did not become an actor for the fame or fortune. He loved his craft and he loved helping his friends.” It breaks my heart how his life and now even his death are being torn apart by the media. My solace is believing that Heath’s soul is now free from the anxiety and pain that had been plaguing his life.

To Kim, Sally and Katie: Thank-you for sharing your son and brother with the world and may all the love for Heath coming from throughout the world give you a small measure of comfort.

It was so refreshing and beautiful to see the love that Heath and Michelle had for each other. For being such private people, they certainly were not afraid to show their affection and love in public. It is so comforting to know that even though his life was short, he had his two favorite ladies that he loved so dearly in his life........ He had the joy and experience of a true life love affair, a soulmate. He will live on forever in the heart and soul of his two favorite women.
Michelle said it beautifully in her statement, " My heart is broken. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day."

I can’t even put into words how tragic this is and completely surprising death. Heath's fans will forever feel the loss of his being.

I know I will miss him so much!

I am in prayer and hope for all who knew him, and even those like me who didn't, that they may find peace in his death and rejoice in his life.

God Bless

Kudos to Billy Bush. Keep it up, you may actually get that bar lifted that was lowered by producers and networks 20 years ago when they realized that - in the guise of "news" - that they could obtain cheap footage and run it in an "infotainment" show and reap benefits from the kind of low class reporting that marked publications like "Confidential" in the 50's. I know the standard answer is that if you don't like this kind of entertainment, turn the tube off. But that day has passed now, too, as these salacious stories and the bottom-feeder paparazzi photos that accompany them are inescapable, they're on our cel phones, our computers and all over the television, cable and network. But it's the old which came first, the chicken or the egg. In this case the sordid story or the listener/watcher. I applaud Billy Bush, I only wish there were more hosts with that kind of integrity. There was a time when Pat O'Brien was one of them, too. But then he became not only one of the sensational story tellers, but one of the stories as well. It's a sad state of not only journalism, but what the public finds interesting.

you know it would be a lot easier to accept this as a virtuous post if Mr Bush did not have the backing of serious A listers like SJP and Natalie Portman etc - and if he truly believed that EVERY HUMAN BEING is entitled to some dignity.

Let's face it....Mr. Ledger was easy to love. He was handsome, talented, and kept his demons to himself.

These sentiments would have been much more meaningful if Mr Bush and AH had taken a stand during the shameful ANS debacle or the current Britney Spears mess. Admittedly less popular candidates.

If he truly meant what he said and AH was going to take a stand against inappropriate coverage shouldn't they start with Britney Spears? She is currently in the middle of a serious mental health crises and yet they continue to cover it - ad nauseam. Doesn't she have two young sons?

Get a reality check and get off your soap box Mr. Bush. If you really wanted to make a difference (and not just pander to a popular cause) you should start with the AH home page.

I was thrilled when this was pulled and I applaud all those who took a stand, long over due boundries need to be set it is reckless ,irresponsible,and immoral. I hope this only the begining in drawing that line in the sand and others follow,seperating stalkers from photographers, and greedy bottomfeeders from reporters in the name of the fans and demand! cuz trust me "we" are disgusted and ashamed and it is out of control.The line that seperates us from the anilmals a conscience. Since when did it become acceptable for a parent to learn of their childs death on ntl tv much less all this and I have seen this crap video Heath does no drugs whatsoever ET sensationalized its content to say the least But I noticed in absence of running it, the commentary was just as misleading . This was beyond tacky due to the fact his family hasnt even buried him yet. It is disgusting however that they pretended to take the high road when in fact they "are" the low road. Bravo to all who took a stand. good start

i wonder if billy ask his uncle about kids left without parents bacause of the war in irak?that to me is grosser,billy dont be a hypocrite!

it's too bad that we all feel we're entitled to know about famous people's personal lives. for those of you making comments about heath as if you knew him personally, who do you think you are? we all have personal problems, however, they are not displayed all over the place through the media...how would we all be judged for our issues? we don't always make the best choices and we don't know the exact choices heath made, no matter what the media says or attemps to prove. even if he did make poor choices, it's not our place to judge.

and it's hardly a comparison of the exposure of brittany to heath. it seems pretty clear brittany either wants everyone to know what she's up to or doesn't care if they do.

WELL THAT'S ALL GOOD BUT THESE SAME MEDIA OUTLETS BILLY'S INCLUDED ARE ON THERE WAY TO KILLING BRITTANY AND WHAT ABOUT ANNA NICOLE SHE DIED ALSO AND THEY AIRED ALL THE SMUT ABOUT HER REMEMBER HER IN THE CLOWN OUTFIT ALL DOPED OUT DID BILLY AIR THAT?? BILLY IS JUST LIKE HIS RELATIVES HE IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OF THE OTHER GOSSIP SHOWS HE OF COURSE HAD TO MAKE A BIG DEAL ABOUT NOT AIRING THE SHOW SO EVERYONE WOULD HEAR HIM- DID HE DO STORIES ABOUT ANNA AFTER SHE WERE DEAD OR DOES SHE NOT COUNT

I am so glad to hear that Billy Bush is fighting back. I stopped watching both of those shows and prefer Access Hollywood. What they were doing with Heath Ledger and that video was making me sick to my stomach. For months we have been watching them exploit Anna Nicole , Britney and now Heath Ledger's death. I wish all celebrities would stop doing interviews with that show. It is nothing but tabloid television now. There was a time it was a legitimate and respected entertainment show and now it is a joke. Thank you Billy Bush for speaking out on this. I have been waiting to see someone take a stand against these two shows.

Dear Billy,

Thank you so much for your stand against the Heath Ledger tape. I have been longing for someone in the media to stand up against something that is just wrong. The sad thing is, tapes like this don't typically just exist on the magazine shows - CNN, MSNBC, etc are all falling victim to the interest in sensational journalism. I applaud you for not only taking a stand but for verbally reprimanding your colleagues for not having the same common sense and good taste the prevails with you.

I hope that you will continue to question the character and consequences of each story you report. You have shown great maturity, professionalism, heart, and courage and it is these qualities that are necessary for instituting change and setting a new, higher standard.

My sincerely admiration and appreciation....

Billy, I have renewed respect for you. Thank you AC for not dancing on Heath's grave.

Thanks Billy Bush!!

I stopped watching ET and the Insider when they killed Anna Nicole and I seriously believe they are to blame. That was the most ridiculous train wreck for weeks and weeks and that Mary Hart and her co-horts could even sleep at night, is beyond my understanding. They treated Howard Stern like he was some person to be commended, when he was as low a person as possible.
Same with the Britney fiasco.

Thank you again Billy Bush for speaking up.
There is a WIDE divide between the types of segments that air on your show and those of ET and the Insider.

Keep up the good work.

Well Billy, even though I agree that the video may have crossed the line...wasn't the tape being aired by his native Australians to begin with? All ET did was follow up on what most people are trying to get the gossip on...I don't care what anyone here rants about; if we are watching shows like AH and ET it's because we want to. And as Todd pointed out; everyone has choices to make in life...we may never really get the truth but stars know that everything they do will be documented in some way...your show is proof of that.
So, either step out of the "entertainment" news or suck it up like a man and admit that you too, Mr Bush would have jumped at the story....case in point...Anna Nicole, Britney, need I say more??

Billy -

I'm with you on this one - and I completely respect your perspective on entertainment journalism.

I have dabled in entertainment journalism, but I am also an actor, TV producer and singer/songwriter - caught between both worlds, I guess you could say.

It's good to know that Access Hollywood has a moral baramoter.

All the best,

Herbie J Pilato
Author

Life Story - The Book of Life Goes On (BearManor Media, 2007)

The Bionic Book: The Six Million Dollar man and The Bionic Woman Reconstructed (BearManor Media, 2007)

Bewitched Forever (Tapestry Press, 2004)

The Kung Fu Book of Wisdom (Tuttle, 1995)

The Kung Fu Book of Caine (Tuttle, 1993)

The Bewitched Book (Dell, 1992)

I don't watch the drivel on either show. And for the most part I don't read about the stars personal business. I know quite a bit about drugs and their affects being a child of the sixties; this generation has learned nothing from history. They don't listen to the experts who tell them that addiction lives in the dark, and addicts are only as sick as their secrets. I have nothing but empathy for Ms. Williams and the Ledger Family. Heath was a talented man, as are most addicts in Hollywood. I still say shine a bright light on the sordid side of life that they fall prey to so that perhaps the future talent will be spared. Stop kidding yourselves that this problem will just go away if you ignore it.

you might be interested to read the article entitled "Ledger Video Papparazzi Sting" on the following link: http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23147663-10388,00.html. It seems that the whole thing from start (unnamed sources state... ) to the video was an entrapment set-up by the LA-based, British-owned paparazzi agency Splash News. it also seems from this article that the event happened in 2006 and Ledger, having realised that he had been entrapped had his lawyers stop any publication under threat that they would sue. After Ledger's death this was not an issue and so the tap re-surfaced and made some people a lot of money.
I think they have shot themselves in the foot, the support for Ledger as a decent human being and for his family in their grief has only made these people look for stupid and amoral.

I could not agree with Marie Volk more. I vowed NEVER to watch ET again when they stooped to the level of telling Stern's side, as if he even had a side worth hearing or that anyone would believe. The public never saw Stern as anything other than a pathetic opportunistic scavenger, and hanger-on who was obsessed with Vickie Lynn. ET really took the low road when they chose to run consecutive stories about him and in the interum they also dignified the fact that he had injected himself into her life for years when they gave his voice a mouthpiece.

I don't know a soul alive who did not perceive Stern as flagrantly nefarious from the first day he was spotted on the scene. He was beyond audacious in the wake of both Vickie Lynn's and Daniel's death and it almost appeared as if he somehow felt an entitlement to deem himself her closest surviving relative.

When I saw Mark Steinus (sp?) on that plane appearing every bit as pathetic and desperate to get his story and boost his ratings as Stern appeared desperate and self-entitled to claim ownership of Vickie Lynn's memory by any means necessary, I was utterly disgusted. Let's face it, we know the score and how the media works...how could Mark have missed or better yet, why would he have passed up such a sure bet opportunity? Surely he must have known he would be given immediate access inside the world's hottest story at that time; afterall, NO ONE, NOT ONE media outlet was interested in approaching Stern for his story...because NO ONE felt he was motivated by anything other than selfish gain from the very beginning. NO ONE wanted to hear from him, yet Mr. Steinus opted to pursue this inside track to drum up more viewers for his beloved employer ET.

ET lost ALL credibility with me during that time. I was an avid daily viewer and had been for many MANY years but I have never watched one day since that moment that I was subjected to seeing Stern's image on that plane and holding Dannielynn while he cried. As if any story told through Stern's eyes EVER had any credence or validity with the general public. We simply do NOT wish to hear from the likes of him....and hopefully we won't have to ever again!

Mr. Bush - First I applaud you for taking a stance, it is definitely refreshing to see someone have the balls to stand up for what is right. Secondly, why not stop all the shenanigans and cut out all the bull crap with so called, "fallen stars?"

We don't need to see Britney's cha-cha every time she exposes it. She is a SICK woman who desperately needs help. The media should have stopped following that train wreck around a LONG time ago. Hopefully this time around she will get the medical treatment she needs. I pray to God she does, for her sake and those beautiful little boy's sake. Why can't the we, "the so called public," STOP BUYING INTO THE TRASH THE MEDIA PUTS OUT THERE. Do "WE" really need to see a mentally ill woman drive around for a cup of Starbucks? Do "WE" need to be at the court room to hear if someone is the Father of a daughter WHOM YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW OR CARE ABOUT? Do "WE" need to find out if someone is carrying twins under her beautiful dress at an award ceremony? ARE ALL THESE THINGS GOING TO MAKE US, THE PUBLIC, BETTER HUMAN BEINGS TO EACH OTHER? IS IT GOING TO STOP THE WAR? IS IT GOING TO MAKE YOUR HEART SING AT THE TOP OF IT'S LUNGS TO KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS? Sadly, no it will not do anything but feed into this sick frenzy. We don't need to see all the negativity. Celebrities should be able to have their private life too - they should be able to hold back whatever they want for themselves. WE HAVE NO OWNSHIP ON THEIR LIVES!

Thanks Billy, It's clear they all lack conscience or respect. I believe it was dropped out of fear of reprisal .PERIOD! Terrible hypocrites and liars. We should not watch or buy from sponsors for this..But truth is no one cares and it will sadly be forgotten in 5 mins .If not sooner .Shame on us all. So sorry Heath forgive us

THANK YOU! Those are the two most meaningful words I can think of for this situation. THANK YOU for speaking what we have all been feeling. God bless Heath, his daughter, family and friends. No matter what trial and erros his life might have held, Heath is much more than how he died. A man is more than his end.

Crystal Jenkins

I happen to catch you on your show (which I don't usually watch) and you were scolding some people for make comments about Ledger. Billy you cannot white wash everything these so called stars do and say. You of all people should know that these people live on dope of some kind. They don't know how to really have fun without getting high on something. I would like for someone to tell me why they have to have drugs to live alife. Sport stars are the same way. You would be far ahead if you simply told the truth.

They should be ashamed!!!
The Ledger family deserves respect.......

Wow...you sure are full of yourself aren't you BILLY? The embarassing part is that your show would've loved to get your hands on the tape, but the bidding war was won by ET, just like the ratings war. Get off your little high road ego trip and remember who you are...a smarmy, smug, widely disliked TV moron...remember your picture in the New York papers before the Golden Globes with the headline "Most Boring Awards Show Ever" because I remember it. And stop whispering your voice overs like that makes them more serious or sympathetic.

And tell Potts to shave and wear more than tee shirts and jeans when he is on TV, it's like he forgets each day that he's on camera. What a joke your show is.

I can't agree more with you! I can not watch ET anymore. It makes me feel sick to my stomach. ET exploits innocent people all the time. Access Hollywood all the way!

Billy,
I am glad AH did not stoop to the low levels that ET & sInsider has.
Heath's death was an unforunate accident & his daughter & other family deserve respect.

I love AH w/ you, Nancy & Tony.
You guys are actually likeable people but I can't say the same for Pat, Mary, Mark & the wackos on ET & sInsider.
They are repulsive!
I am so sick of them acting like Howard K. $tern is a saint & now take the same approach to Larry.
All they have done is pimp out that baby.
I was a Larry supporter until DNA day when he acted like an idiot.
They have treated Virgie with no repspect whatsoever.
I am sure Tony has some behind the scenes interviews w/ Larry the public would love to see since they were together so much before Larry got in bed with the devil Howard K. $tern.
I look forward to the day when AH can show Howard's perp walk, w/ Bonnie, Ron Rale, Alex Goen & others also going down for covering up.
BTW Larry was too sick to go to the inquest however he was out partying & THEN went to the Bahamas for the the anniversary of Anna's death.
Larry's family & friends all went on Friday after the inquest was postponed until March.
How convenient.
All of Larry's buddy's myspace pages they were talking about partying planned before inquest was postponed.
I hope news reports THAT!
They are ALL a bunch of lowlifes!

Billy,

You need to now apologize to ET since they were doing the responsible thing showing that Ledger is a junkie and not a hero. ET saved millions of childrens lives by showing the video while you are trying to harm america's children by covering up the addict's death. Plain and simple, he was a junkie and it is sad he died, but America needs to know the truth... We await your apology....

You are all the same. How can you point the finger at Mary Hart?

You are gross...totally gross.

At least she isn't a hippocrate. Jerk.

Wow.. even after 2 weeks, we're still debating and thrashing this man's life and death...

A cautionary tale, as his parents said... please all check your meds whenever you have anything going on such as a cold, bronchitis, and pneumonia (which his costars in Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus said he had before the "holiday break")

All the doses were within prescription dosages or lower... as a former EMT, we saw many people who took multiple meds that basically do the same thing, "because the dr. told me to", and they didn't realize they were slowly poisoning/overwhelming their systems...

I still think this was a tragic, avoidable accident... many people in this country have died of similar complications to their meds while suffering from respiratory conditions...

Check your cold/cough meds, over the counter and "scripts.. many of the meds found in his system are also in those-- I think it's kind of shameful that he'll now be remembered as an abuser of meds, when in reality, it was probably due to accumulative effect of meds that he was taking on good faith from his drs.

Ok, Do I think Entertainment Tonight / The Insider should have aired the footage? No, do I think Entertainment Tonight / The Insider is trash? Yes. But do I think Access Hollywood would have done the exact same thing as ET? Yes!

Give me a break, Access Hollywood would have done the EXACT same thing as ET, it just happens that Entertainment Tonight got the footage and Access Hollywood didn't! Access Hollywood would have LOVED that exclusive footage, they are just as bad as Entertainment Tonight / The Insider. It's not ET's fault that they got it.

Notice how Access Hollywood always bashes Entertainment Tonight / The Insider whenever they get a exclusive that Access Hollywood doesn't have? Access Hollywood bashed ET like crazy for airing the Anna & Howard footage, they did that because Anna chose to talk to Entertainment Tonight.

Access Hollywood is the exact same as ET / The Insider, the only difference is that Entertainment Tonight get's more exclusives.

Access Hollywood would KILL for the exclusives that Entertainment Tonight gets!

Also the ratings are in, and Entertainment Tonight contiunes to KILL Access Hollywood in the ratings. It's always easy to bash Entertainment Tonight when Entertainment Tonight is #1.