Mel Gibson re-enters public life, interview on GMA

By Stone Martindale Oct 8, 2006, 5:56 GMT

For a mug shot-not too shabby... EPA/HO/Calabasas Lost Hills Sheriff Dept.

Mel Gibson has given his first TV interview since his high-profile drunken-driving arrest in Malibu and anti-Semitic tirade made international headlines over the summer.

Disney-owned ABC's Good Morning America has Gibson being interviewed by Diane Sawyer for a two-part TV interview scheduled to air soon.  It is the first time he has talked to the media since his arrest.

Gibson has been quietly mending his personal and professional life, including participating in rehab, attending AA classes and meeting privately with Jewish leaders to understand the source of his "vicious words."

The interview "will be a segment in the show," said ABC news spokeswoman Bridgette Maney. "It's not going to be the entire Good Morning America."

As for what to expect during the discussion, Gibson's publicist, Alan Nierob, would only say: "We'll have to wait and see."

Gibson arrested July 28th in Malibu, told the arresting officer Deputy Mee: "The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," and asked him, "Are you a Jew?" He also made sexist comments to a female deputy. Gibson later apologized.

Gibson quietly stepped back into the public eye late last month. He attended two screenings of his new movie in Oklahoma in September.  He arrived wearing a disguise.

He also appeared at a film festival in Austin, Texas, on September 22nd, where he showed footage from the film Apocalypto.