Joaquin Phoenix: What Actually Happened on the Late Show with David Letterman?

A rather out of the ordinary interview between The Late Show's David Letterman and former actor/ newly announced hip-hop musician, Joaquin Phoenix drew long awkward pauses and nervous water sipping during the show which aired February 11th.

The strained interview was further intensified by an overpowering laugh track, which was inserted during the painful moments to avoid dead air. The conversation (or lack thereof) seemed to be an uncomfortable situation for both Letterman and Phoenix, who both appeared to be in completely different moods if not in different time zones.

Revisiting his interview with Farrah Fawcett back in 1997, Letterman employed his corny old-hat tactics, using pitiless insults and going off on tangents in a futile attempt to open up a distant, bemused (and rather annoyed) Phoenix.

In what emerged as a silent dis towards the media, or a strike at his obligation to promote his latest movie "Two Lovers," a sunglass-clad, matted-haired and heavily bearded Phoenix detached completely from the interview by contributing one-word answers, and taking long deep breaths. While being quizzed about his new look -and his relationship with the Unabomber, Phoenix brushed off the offensive questions but found solace in sticking his chewing gum under the lip of Dave's desk.

Speculation has Risen to Confusion

The question that lays heavy on perplexed minds is a three-parter. Is Joaquin Phoenix seriously jilting Hollywood to pursue a hip-hop career? Has another rising actor fallen prey to the reckless world of substance abuse? Or, as widely speculated on numerous news and web media discussions, is Joaquin Phoenix covertly on the path of constructing a mocumentary about a transformational hip-hop artist?

Speculation concerning Phoenix's recent baffling behavior (including falling off the stage during a recent hip-hop performance) has risen towards the latter. Rumors about substance abuse are hastily being tossed aside by observant, loyal fans in favor of Phoenix's new persona (a-la Andy Kaufman) designed to entice enthusiasts and naysayers alike.

Only time will tell what is really going on with Joaquin Phoenix. Whether he remains on the big screen or evolves into the hip-hop sphere (triumphant or not), fans seem to be amused with Phoenix's recent eccentric behavior. But if Joaquin Phoenix's recent conduct is due to the rumored substance abuse, let's just cross our fingers that he doesn't follow the fate of his brother, River.