I understand that a record label puts a substantial amount of resources — time, money, and whatever else — into recording and promoting an album. Furthermore, I recognize that recording artists generally know the deal. Touring, interviewing — it’s all part of the game. Fine. But when does the label decide to cut its losses?
Courtney Love‘s erratic behavior is well-documented. Having said that, her recent escapades are noteworthy nonetheless, and mind you, the bar has been substantially raised in her case. In less than two days, she was late for a court date where she faced drug possession charges, rambled to David Letterman on national television (and flashed him, but that is becoming her modus operandi and barely merits a mention at this point), and then was arrested on assault charges later that night.
I don’t know if this makes a great movie, but it sure looks like a fantastic after school special.
INT. CALIFORNIA SUPERIOR COURT DAYTIME
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ELDEN FOX IS SPEAKING IN THE BACKGROUND. THE CAMERA IS ON COURTNEY AND WE HEAR WHAT SHE HEARS — MUMBLING. COURTNEY INTERRUPTS.
COURTNEY
I have the pill bottles on me.
SHE PAUSES AND TURNS TO HER LAWYER, MICHAEL ROSENSTEIN AND SAYS…
COURTNEY (CONT’D)
You’re fired.
JUDGE FOX
Miss Love, you’re not doing yourself any favors.
COURTNEY LOOKS AT JUDGE FOX AND THEN BACK AT HER LAWYER WHERE SHE FIXES HER GAZE.
COURTNEY
Rehired.
FADE OUT:
I don’t know how this is going to help record sales and it certainly seems like Love would be better off in rehab, or therapy, or at home, or at a friend’s house, or in solitary, or on vacation, or just about anywhere other than a public venue where she is being put on display. She’s not guiltless; Love readily admits that she has long thirsted for fame (infamy?) and her drive for celebrity status has been echoed by many who have crossed paths with her. It’s too bad because she’s not completely untalented. (Hardly a ringing endorsement, I realize, but she’s not Mariah Carey vocally, or Meryl Streep dramatically.) I suspect that being seen not as Courtney Love, but as Kurt Cobain’s widow will haunt her for a long time.
Briefly
In other news, I saw Tim Robbins’s play Embedded this evening. I was surprisingly intrigued by it. I arrived early and was waiting for a friend and I started chatting with this woman. Turns out she’s a – gasp! – working actress! Dagmara Dominczyk is her name and she was nice and unprepossessed, which was pleasantly surprising.