[Rick Lee]

Lighten up, Francis. I'm not defending his personal behavior, but I doubt you've never said or done something stupid while drunk. I've done some apologizing over the years for stuff I said and did while sober and rational.

If Mel's latest movie is a total bomb and he loses every penny he's sunk into it (he won't), he's still got nine figures in the bank. He ain't making movies anymore to get rich. Unlike Michael Richards, Mel has had a very long and diverse career. Sort of like Johnny Depp, Mel can afford to make whatever kinds of movies he feels like, just for kicks, just for the challenge. And if they make money, so much the better.