Apparently, there are some lines not even the tabloid media will cross, no matter how last minute the decision not to cross them.
Despite a flurry of TV spots touting its supposedly blockbuster revelations, a video showing the late Heath Ledger attending a drug-laced Hollywood party in January 2006 and declaring his penchant for certain illegal substances did not air Wednesday night. The 11th-hour decision was supposedly made out of consideration for the actor's family and in the wake of reports of a failed attempt at rehab.
Entertainment Tonight and sister show The Insider had acquired the rights to the video, and reports of its existence began circulating online Wednesday afternoon.
Within hours, the syndicated shows had begun airing an extensive teaser, promising the whole footage should viewers tune in to the respective shows later that night. However, an hour before the companion shows were slated to air on the West Coast, producers pulled the plug.
"Out of respect for Heath Ledger's family, Entertainment Tonight and the Insider have decided not to run the Heath Ledger video that has been circulating in the world media," said a spokesperson for the shows.
The rep also clarified that while the footage was taken at a party held at the Chateau Marmont in January 2006—reports vary as to whether the gathering took place on the 26th or 29th of the month—and an unidentified man appears on the tape snorting cocaine, Ledger himself is seen drinking from a beer bottle, though never appears to engage in any drug taking whatsoever.
He is, however, seen talking about it.
The dark and grainy video, clearly shot without the late 28-year-old's knowledge, features a confession from the Brokeback Mountain star about his drug-taking history and shows him expressing concern over his presence at the party in the first place.
"I shouldn't be here at all," he said in the preview aired by the shows. While rolling cigarette paper, Ledger is heard telling a fellow guest, "I used to smoke five joints a day for 20 years."
He later adds, "I'm going to get so much s--t from my girlfriend," referring to then significant other Michelle Williams.
"We just had a baby three months ago."
When asked the child's name, he tells his party companion, "Matilda. Matilda Rose."
While the duo never makes an appearance on the tape, Williams and her daughter were reportedly also at the fabled Chateau Marmont while the party was taking place, albeit safely ensconced in their hotel room.
According to a source familiar with the videotape, the ET promo had a glaring omission. On the unedited tape, after stating that "I shouldn't be here at all," he then points to a tattoo of the letter "M" (in honor of his daughter) and adds: "This is to remind me never to smoke weed again."
Although the company line was that show producers pulled the footage out of respect for the family, it appears the motivation wasn't as altruistic. Earlier in the day, lawyers for the entertainment shows sent out threatening letters to other media outlets expressly forbidding them from using any images from what they considered a "valuable exclusive."
"Any broadcast or usage of this material in any manner not authorized shall constitute an infringement and violation of ET and The Insider's valuable exclusive and proprietary rights...exposing the infringer to substantial monetary damages," the letter read.
A statement circulated by ID PR, the firm that represented Ledger and still fronts for Michelle Williams and Brokeback costar Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as Robin Williams and Natalie Portman, expressed shock and disdain for the shows even contemplating running, let alone airing promos, for the footage.
ID called the video "shameful exploitation of the lowest kind," and blasted Entertainment Tonight for purchasing the footage for "a large sum of money in the hopes of stirring up a salacious and exploitative story about Heath."
News of the footage, which the New York Daily News says cost the syndicated shows $200,000 to acquire, and its shelving came in the wake of a new wave of reports that Ledger had battled with various substances in the years leading up to his death last week, the cause of which has yet to be determined.
Us Weekly reported this week that Ledger's addictions eventually resulted in Michelle Williams driving her then fiancé to the Promises Malibu rehab facility in 2006, though the magazine claimed that upon arriving at the center, Ledger refused to check in.
Mara Buxbaum, the publicist for Williams and Ledger's former rep, quickly and adamantly denied the story, casting it as one of many irresponsible falsehoods that have made the media rounds since the Aussie native's Jan. 22 passing.
"This fabricated story of Michelle Williams attempting to bring Heath Ledger to rehab is just one lie among many," said Buxbaum. "The speculation is heinous. Let this family grieve privately."
As the initial autopsy on the actor was inconclusive, officials are still awaiting the results of a toxicology report to determine a cause of death. While prescription pills were found in the SoHo apartment in which Ledger passed away, authorities have already denied that any illegal substances were present in the unit.
Sophie Ward, the sister of budding supermodel Gemma Ward and a fellow Perth native who spent some much chronicled time with the actor over the holidays, also denied to her hometown West Australian newspaper reports that Ledger suffered from anything other than trouble sleeping.
"He was clean and wasn't drinking any alcohol or taking drugs," she said. "He smoked cigarettes, but that's about it. He was drinking Diet Coke when we were together and committed to not drinking alcohol."