Entertainment Forums

brazer · Member Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Toronto

Canada's Globe and Mail, published an interview by columnist, Sarah Hampson in regards to Ed Norton in it's January 6, 2007 issue.

I was disappointed with the tenor of Ms. Hampson's column, which I found to be quite patronizing and a very unfair characterization of Ed Norton's life as an artist including his views on fame and life.

Here are just a few examples from Hampson's column that may help to better illustrate my distaste in reading her column:

"Norton exudes a preppy leftish vibe in his jeans, those shiny Oxfords and a grey-flannel jacket over a black t-shirt. I understand his testiness now."

"He takes the reigns of the conversation as if we were friends meeting for a casual chat. I indulge him, of course, and let myself be steered for a while."

"Why, exactly? A quizzical look plays across his face as he pauses before answering, as though he is mulling over how much he will allow me to lead him down this particular path."

"Celebrity is the new class everyone wants to achieve, but Norton seems eager to dismiss its significance, and the attention it brings. He has always enjoyed a privileged life, after all."

"Norton's non-celebrity demeanour may be authentic, but it's hard to tell. All I can report from his performance in a downtown Toronto hotel is that he certainly knows how to act offended..."

"Mr. Good and wonderful is more artist than celebrity, at least in his mind."

Sarah Hampson's interview is a disgrace - The Globe and Mail is most certainly not a tabloid; it is Canada's most prestigious daily newspaper.

Ed Norton is a global superstar who came to a small market like Canada, to help promote Painted Veil. He made time in his busy schedule to meet with Sarah Hampson, and offered her a personal interview in his hotel suite...and this is what he got in return?

Simply outrageous, if you ask me.

Sarah Hampson's column (registration required):

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v5/content/subscribe?user_URL=http://www.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FLAC.20070106.HAMPSON06%2FTPStory%2F%3Fquery%3Dsarah%2Bhampson&ord=2121210&brand=theglobeandmail&redirect_reason=2&denial_reasons=none&force_login=false

If you are not able to register, Hampson's column can also be found here:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001570/board/thread/64803017?d=64811174#64811174

And, here is a short letter to the editor to the Globe and Mail that I wrote in response to her column:

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Submitted to The Globe and Mail - January, 23, 2007

Sarah Hampson

Toronto -- Re The reluctant celebrity (Sarah Hampson, Jan. 6): Ed Norton is perhaps one of his generation's most talented actors. Even if the patronizing tone of Sarah Hampson's column was inadvertent, Hampson still owes Norton an apology for the rather condescending caricature she has created.

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I am here to see what other opinions may be in regards to this issue. Do you guys think that Sarah Hampson crossed the line? Or do you think she was just doing her job as an entertainment columnist?

Chris · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:45 pm Post subject:

Welcome Brazer.

While I do not agree with the tone of the statements made here, I do defend the author’s rights to speak their mind. I do not believe, just because I don't agree with someone’s opinion, that they do not have the right to express their thoughts.

I like Ed Norton so don't get me wrong... but this kind of journalism is simply sensationalism at its finest, designed to elicit a response from viewers... nothing more.