John Gibson, Mel Gibson ... Debbie, don't disappoint us!

First off, John Gibson has apologized (read: done insincere damage control) for his mockery of Heath Ledger's death. This is of course mere breaths after he defended his using clips from Brokeback Mountain to make light of the tragedy (not to mention calling the actor a "freak"). So whaddaya think, is he being sincere or did someone lean on him? I mean, aside from GLAAD, half of MSNBC, and pretty much the entire blogosphere? To me, whenever anyone says "I'm sorry that some are offended by my comments", it's doubly-insulting, because what they're really saying is, "not only am I not sorry for what I said, but you're a sissy for being offended by it, nyah-nyah-nyaaaaaaaaah!"

In related "news", gossips at the NYDN are claiming that another troublesome Gibson - this time noted anti-Semite, noted homophobe, and noted anti-shaving repopulation enthusiast Mel Gibson - distanced himself from Ledger after the young actor took the Brokeback role.

The piece claims that although the two were close after Ledger played Gibson's son in The Patriot, Gibson's homophobia intervened when Ledger opted to play a gay man that Gibson couldn't throw out a window while wearing makeup and a skirt.

Gibson's reps are denying any such claim and Ledger's reps did not respond with a comment. Not that they should.

Meanwhile, back in the land of those capable of experiencing authentic emotion, Ledger's family is en route to New York, where the funeral for the actor will be held.