I think we can all overlook the "Real Men" paranoia and simply understand that Heath Ledger honored this incredible story with one of cinema's most exquisitely crafted performances. All of the BBM press engagements, that I saw, demonstrated his dedication to integrity where this film is concerned so there is no way I can see that he would get up in front of the Screen Actor's Guild, of ALL places, and do anything untoward where this film is concerned.

He and Jake had presented the film the night before at the Director's Guild Awards so the confusion was certainly understandable.

Heath and Jake outstanding Actors. My hero's forever. love ya and thanks

who cares if he was mocking effeminate gay men. I am gay and this does not offend me at all infact i find it quite funny. But then i am not or ever will be effeminate. And to be honest there is no need to be effeminate just cos your gay so queens quiten down and if you dont like it stop acting like queens and be real men

This is THE best movie I have seen in a very long time. Anyone that has seen an interview with Heath Ledger, or followed his work at all would immediately recognize there is NO way he would do a gay spoof. He is awesome in every way!

I can understand why so many of us who are gay are thrilled with the success of Brokeback Mountain. I would agree that both Ledger and Gyllenhal should win the oscars in their respective categories, however...lets get real folks. Heath Ledger most likely knew exactly what he was doing when he was mocking effeminate gay men. To me, his explanation is totally ridiculous...does he think people will actually buy that crap? Who knows what possessed him to act so bizarrely? There was no good reason for it, and I for one don't buy it.

Heath Ledger in a "gay spoof" at the SAG Awards? I doubt it. What I do know is that he has been pivotal in the creation of a "human masterpiece," straight or gay, an INSTANT FILM CLASSIC called "Brokeback Mountain" which magnificently drives home the point--be what you are and love who you love. Don't even get me started in praise for the film because I can't guarantee I'll be able to stop. So, I think what he was spoofing, if anything, was the UTTERLY LAUGHABLE & NAUSEATING script that poor Jake and he were forced to recite (GAG!). Maybe next year Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana will volunteer their time to write some decent scripts for SAG. Now, let's see BROKEBACK OSCARS FOR ALL!!!!

Well it seems awful funny that Heath's apology came out the same time as the ballots for the Oscars. Hmm! And this is a man who is capable of reading a script without giggling. What a shame for Heath. How embarrassed he must be to have starred in the best film of his life, a film where he's getting recognition for his talent. Poor, poor Heath. I find his behavior at the SAG Awards disgusting and I hope he doesn't win the Oscar.

I've been sitting here for some time trying to think if I know any man that acts "gay" because he is nervous. I really can't come up with a single one. Sorry Heath, you blew it. I guess if sitting around in a movie and staring at the ground and looking glum is acting I guess Heath should win the Academy Award. "Gay for Pay" if really working out well for him.

I hope this stops all the malarkey about Mr. Ledger being in any way disrespectful. What interests me most about this story is the reference to his remarks at the DGA awards. Does anyone know if there is a trsanscript of that speech & where one might read it?

Ditto on what others have mentioned about Heath -- an absolutely phenomenal BBM performance. I actually thought Heath's struggles on stage was endearing -- we've all been there on stage in front of our peers with no preparation or warning and a script that's going wrong. Thanks Heath for clearing this up for the folks who misconstrued you.

On another note...
Just wondering what the Academy voting members are thinking about the Best Actor category. With no disrespect to Joaquin Phoenix, David Strathairn and Terence Howard, it 's becoming clear that this is a two-horrse race between Philip Seymour Hoffman and Heath Ledger.

I saw both Capote and Brokeback Mountain. Both actors were simply amazing and deserving of the acting accolades they have received thus far. PSM has the edge in body of work, but Heath more than makes up for it with the chances he took for this role in what is clearly becoming the movie of the year (if not the decade).

Thus, my question to the AMPAS voters: do we want to vote for the stereotypical performance of an effeminate and manipulative gay male that continues to promote the negative images of homosexuals or for the ground-breaking performance of masculine gay men dealing with homophobia's effects on them as well as their relationships?

Aloysius

Give them a break! It was just a speech! They made a great movie, took a huge chance with their careers. If there was any ill will in their hearts, they wouldn't have done the movie. Get over the speech people - worry about important things!

Man, this whole SAG saga is just so ridiculous, I've seen the supposedly mocking introduction and all I can say is the script was horrendous for anyone having to read it out loud let alone in front of an audience.

Both Health & Jake did their best ... but seems some in the gay community doesn't think that's good enough and are out for blood. I for one am ashamed to be gay by association to such behaviours by some. Funny how as gay - we have learnt not to have to apologise for being who we are, yet somehow we expected that Health had to explain himself & apologise for his behaviour.

For all those who still think Health is insensitive to issue of same sex attraction and community then have a read of his interview with the Sydney Star Observer!

http://www.ssonet.com.au/display.asp?ArticleID=5020

Now, once and for all, end this witch hunt and give these young men a break ... they are actors not martyrs to same sex causes - they done their bit just being part of this great movie.

heath- some of us have a sense of humour and can take a joke- good luck to you and all the cast next month.........

Heath was adorable, l didn't think for a minute he was being disrespectful. I truly don't understand how bbm can win best film,director etc but not any acting awards!! it doesn't make sense.Heath was heart and soul of the film it would be an injustice if Jake or Michelle in a conciliatory gesture from the academy win and Heath misses out!!

Well, I wasn't completely right nor completely wrong when I supposed this on Gold Derby:
"So let's clear the air about Ledger and Gyllenhaal at the SAG awards. Although there may have been some teleprompter problems (as acknowledged by a few other presenters, too), they were reacting to -- and mocking -- the arcane, atrocious writing of the introduction for their film clip presentation. These introductions were full of convoluted sentence structure, questionable grammar and prosaic language that often defied logic and sense. SAG should ask for a return of the fee they paid these writers (?), although someone at SAG must also take the blame for having approved them."
There may be some validity in my speculations "from afar," but the main culprits seem to be unfamiliarity with the script and Ledger's stage fright. Many actors have stage fright. Many are not public speakers. Some are even inarticulate away from the stage or screen. But, on Oprah, Ledger was genuine and even eloquent. I would still love to hear his acceptance speech if he wins for Best Actor -- which, by the way, he should.

I had been wondering about his quirky behavior. Thanks for clearing the air. He is more and more endearing each time I read an article or watch an interview of his.

Heath's explanation reads as sincere and open. My attitude towards his antics have reversed; in fact, I like him even more than before the SAG awards. He's an excellent actor, jittery and nervous, but endearingly real.

To heap praises to one's own movie while doing a promotional tour is expected, but to do the same thing in front of judges and the audience in an awards show is enough to make one uneasy and uncomfortable. It is just like saying, "My movie is great, we are great in the movie, give us the award!"

It is evident during the SAG awards show that all the other actors introducing their own nominated movie feel ackward doing so. SAG awards coordinator should change this practice in all their future awards show.

seeeee HES NOT GAY! NOW LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!

Let's cut Young Ledger some major slack. I giggled too. Did you hear that copy he and Jake Gyllenhaal had to read introducing the clip? It made the movie sound like a Harlequin romance. The story of two working class men emotionally deprived for years because they couldn't feel free enough to be their true selves in the land of the free was turned into Barbara Cartland's "Brokeback Mountain" by a SAG Awards show copywriter. That writer should be apologizing. Not Heath.

I find it quite ironic that Heath Ledger had to explain himself, or apologize in any way for his demeanor at the SAG Awards. How anyone who saw this film could imagine that Mr. Ledger or Mr. Gyllenhaal would attempt to ridicule the gay community or the film itself in any way, is beyond my understanding.
The text Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal were forced to read was pretentiously melodramatic and seemed written by someone who either didn't see the film, or didn't understand much of it. I was laughing out loud hearing it, and by the looks of it, so was the audience at the awards.
If anyone should aologize, it should be the organizers, for the lack of taste displayed in organizing the Best Cast Ensemble presentations.

Here we are, poor Heath feeling obliged to explain himself...
Why are the media always picking on him?
Did someone said something about Jake, or Hoffman when they laughed?
No wonder he's afraid and nervous in public all the time.

I expected as much. What a stupid story that was in the LA Times. All it did was display ignorance of British/Australian mannerisms.

I knew there was a good reason for what was going on. I had seen Ledger in a couple of appearances and he always does seem to be "sitting on his hands" and being really subdued. I've heard that his personality has changed a bit since he's become a father. I really don't think he would do anything to make himself appear disrespectful in light the crazy positive attention he's gotten for his work in the movie. I for one still hope that he will win the best actor Oscar. His was a truly great example of acting for film and the result was a resonating, heart breaking portrayal of a fictional character that now seems so very real.

See. Most of us were right .He is just a nervous guy.

Thanks for clearing that up, but it was unnecessary. As a HUGE Heath Ledger fan, I've been reading a lot of his interviews about Brokeback Mountain and he is very respectful, even reverential when discussing the film, Ang Lee and his character. He's also very gay friendly, whic is not something to take for granted in a straight man. Anyone who has watched TV talk show interviews of Heath over the years ought to know what a jittery, twitchy fellow he is. If he's very nervous, his mannerisms become very pronounced. I thought the script writers for SAG were ridiculous. Most of the scripts were terribly overwritten. And I caught the absurdity and the humor from both Jake and Heath at having to read that drivel. Anyone who got upset or insulted needs to see a shrink. They have other issues to address, I fear. I thought Heath and Jake were fine. They were fun. No apology required. IMHO.

I actually didn't think for one second that Heath was making some kind of "gay spoof" at the SAG awards, especially as he has been consistently supportive of the film. I was concerned however about reports that his behaviour was misinterpreted and may have had an impact on his chances of winning an academy award. Nice of him to put the record straight (so to speak). I do hope he wins the award for best actor, I can honestly say that in my humble opinion his work on this film (Brokeback Mountain) was nothing less than astonishing.

Heath ledger? - I SALUTE YOU!

Heath you're our hero! Brokeback has changed so many people's lives - you'll never know. Thanks buddy!

Thank god ... I am so impressed by Ledger's acting in this film, it's like he was reading my heart... thank god he wasn't trying to dish it up out of some homophobic nerousness or fear of being type cast or worse .....