# Anyone else see Tom Cruise on "Today" this morning? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 24, 2005, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661 "2005-06-24T13:04:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/81 "2005-06-25T17:53:00Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > Dreamworks must be absolutely freaking right now. That confrontation, what, 3 days before release of War of the Worlds? Bad timing Tom. I now know that there is such a thing as bad publicity. Seriously. I was going to see WotW, and I probably still will see it, but I’m getting so PO’d at Cruise that I’m thinking of giving it a pass. I don’t think I’m the only one. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/82 "2005-06-25T18:55:26Z")
> [@sewalk](#): > > And it was Brooke Shields, not Kirstie Alley, who happens to be another scientologist who eschews psychiatry (I assume, as this is pretty much a basic tenet of Hubbardism). I’m slow to pick up on this but you were joking right **sewalk**? The Brooke Shields I know of has been a Roman Catholic all of her life. I don’t recall her changing beliefs mid-stream. I even recalled an glancing through an interview when she was in her 20’s how important it was for her to “keep the faith” to keep the fame from going to her head. While I could debate her acting abilities, I will not debate her intelligence. She went to Yale and graduated with some sort of honors. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/83 "2005-06-25T19:05:27Z")
> [@Larry Borgia](#): > > Seriously. I was going to see WotW, and I probably still will see it, but I’m getting so PO’d at Cruise that I’m thinking of giving it a pass. I don’t think I’m the only one. Just remember: Just because he’s in the movie, that doesn’t make WotW a “Tom Cruise Movie”. It’s a Steven Spielberg film; Cruise is just a member of the cast. If you have a problem with Spielberg, that’s find, but don’t forget whose show it is. ---
**Author:** ![aurelian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@aurelian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurelian)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/84 "2005-06-25T19:13:46Z")
Via Defamer, An excellent [illustrated](http://youcantmakeitup.blogspot.com/2005/06/cruise-uncontrollable.html) transcript. And yeah, despite being a lurker, I must be a Doper, as my first reaction when I heard him say “there is no such things as a chemical imbalance” was “CITE?!?!?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/85 "2005-06-25T20:18:32Z")
> [@user\_hostile](#): > > I’m slow to pick up on this but you were joking right **sewalk**? The Brooke Shields I know of has been a Roman Catholic all of her life. I don’t recall her changing beliefs mid-stream. I even recalled an glancing through an interview when she was in her 20’s how important it was for her to “keep the faith” to keep the fame from going to her head. While I could debate her acting abilities, I will not debate her intelligence. She went to Yale and graduated with some sort of honors. 😕 You misread that. He’s saying **Kirstie Alley** is a $¢iento£ogi$t. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/86 "2005-06-25T20:24:36Z")
> [@Matt Lauer](#): > > MATT LAUER: You’re-- you’re-- it’s very impressive to listen to you. Because clearly, you’ve done the homework. And-- and you know the subject. I can’t fookin’ believe he said that (particularly after being called glib and told he knows nothing about the history of psychiatry by somebody who was just discredited in, of all things, _Entertainment Weekly_). Luckily I didn’t respect him as a journalist because if I had that would have done it. Oh why oh why did this have to happen on a Friday? This means that we have to wait over a weekend to see _The Daily Show_ take on the matter. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/87 "2005-06-25T20:32:56Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > This means that we have to wait over a weekend to see _The Daily Show_ take on the matter. Here’s a [nice little clip of Tom goin’ all Dark Side on Oprah](http://waxy.org/random/video/Tom_Cruise_Kills_Oprah.mov) to tide you over. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/88 "2005-06-25T20:48:10Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Just remember: Just because he’s in the movie, that doesn’t make WotW a “Tom Cruise Movie”. Upthread I said I would give this one a miss in spite of my eagerness to see it in spite of the advance buzz being that it’s a big steaming turd. (Got that?) Anyway, [Quint’s review](http://206.127.26.196/display.cgi?id=20564) at Ain’t It Cool News has reversed my reversal, I think. I may have to buy a ticket anyway and just be content to swear to kick Tom Cruise in the nuts if the opportunity ever presents itself. If the above link stops working, use [this one](http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=20564). (DNS issues.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@The\_Hook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hook)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/89 "2005-06-25T20:52:43Z")
> [@Al Roker](#): > > Just as we should shut up about wondering if Tom’s relationship with Katie Holmes is a publicity stunt, Tom oughta pipe down about people he doesn’t know about situations he hasn’t experienced. That’s fucking brilliant! (I don’t apologize for the language, the “fucking” adds an astronomical level of brilliance I can’t describe with other words) And not seeing War of the Worlds because of this? Hmm… I can see not wanting to give money to Cruise, but I’m a fan of Spielberg’s style of storytelling and I always have a great time watching his movies. I like that sense of innocence and glorified adventure he brings to the table. This movie, as I’ve said before, looks like a sapfest (for the simple reason of having Dakota Fanning in it) and that may be a drag, specially with the incompetent father theme popping its head once more. Not see it because of Tom Cruise? Let’s say I can’t stand to watch him, that I barf every time. There’s still three reasons left: ILM, John Williams, and Janusz Kaminski. The first two speak for themselves, but Kaminski, to me, creates such a beautiful narrative out of light alone that it looks like a ballet of images waiting for my appreciation. I am in awe of that man. Not watch this movie because of Tom Cruise? Pfft… Screw the Cruise, I’m looking out for _my_ crew. Ya dig? ---
**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/90 "2005-06-25T21:14:48Z")
In a way, I feel a bit sad for the guy. He has issues beyond the usual cadre of star sychophants telling him his every thought is precious. As a dyslexic, I’m sure the Scientologists telling him he was in fact preternaturally intelligent and insightful had a great appeal for him. Sounds like he has been fed a few truths about abuses in the psychiatric profession mixed with large doses of L. Ron’s paranoia and persecution fantasies masquerading as serious analysis. Now he sees himself as one of the “enlightened ones” out to help the poor, deluded masses. That said, this kind of half-educated (at best), stubborn self-importance is something I would expect from a 17-year-old rather than a 42-year-old. His lack of self-awareness is quite stunning, he is in for a big shock when his kids start telling him to shut up and go screw himself. I’m not interested in the movie, Cruise or no Cruise. Not sure why, but none of the previews have piqued my curiosity, ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/91 "2005-06-25T21:46:38Z")
You know what would have been sweet? If Lauer responded to Tom’s repeated “Do you know what Ritalin is?” with something like: “Yeah, actually. It’s a CNS stimulant, like amphetamine. CNS stimulants can be very helpful for treating specific disorders, but can also be devastating when abused. Look at how bugshit crazy L. Ron Hubbard went after years of taking amphetamine for kicks. Delusions of grandeur, paranoia. Textbook stuff. It’s too bad he shunned help. Really, the important thing is the ability to distinguish between drug use and drug _abuse_.” ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/92 "2005-06-25T22:08:03Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > You misread that. He’s saying **Kirstie Alley** is a $¢iento£ogi$t. Sorry **Tuckerfan** , perhaps working long hours this week has made me tired, but I already knew that Kirstie Alley was a member of the cult of those damned Thetans. I was trying to figure out if **sewalk** was being funny or serious. Really. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/93 "2005-06-25T22:12:56Z")
> [@user\_hostile](#): > > Sorry **Tuckerfan** , perhaps working long hours this week has made me tired, but I already knew that Kirstie Alley was a member of the cult of those damned Thetans. I was trying to figure out if **sewalk** was being funny or serious. Really. 🙂 Yes, but upthread someone had used Kirstie when they meant Brooke and **sewalk** was correcting that mistake. ---
**Author:** ![Dublin11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Dublin11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dublin11)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/94 "2005-06-25T22:50:48Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > And yeah, the guy didn’t grow up in Africa, but he DID grow up in Northern Ireland, which isn’t exactly Grover’s Corners. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt. WRONG. Bono grew up in Dublin. Dublin is the capital city of Ireand, in case you didn’t know. It most certainly is **not** in Northern Ireland. Shall I say that again? Do you know, I think I might. Dublin is not in Northern Ireland I have no idea what your notions of Northern Ireland are, and I have no idea what Grover’s Corner is, but all the same, I wouldn’t want you to go around thinking that Bono - that well known twat - had anything except a charmed upbringing. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/95 "2005-06-25T22:53:38Z")
I actually have a newfound respect for Cruise. I think his stand against the rampant psychoactive overmedication of America perpetrated by “Big Drug” and enabled by the psychiatry institution is to be applauded. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/96 "2005-06-25T23:09:59Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > You know what would have been sweet? > > If Lauer responded to Tom’s repeated “Do you know what Ritalin is?” with something like: > > “Yeah, actually. It’s a CNS stimulant, like amphetamine. CNS stimulants can be very helpful for treating specific disorders, but can also be devastating when abused. Look at how bugshit crazy L. Ron Hubbard went after years of taking amphetamine for kicks. Delusions of grandeur, paranoia. Textbook stuff. It’s too bad he shunned help. Really, the important thing is the ability to distinguish between drug use and drug _abuse_.” I would PAY MONEY to see someone do this. I swear. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/97 "2005-06-25T23:12:14Z")
> [@Dublin11](#): > > I have no idea what your notions of Northern Ireland are, and I have no idea what Grover’s Corner is, but all the same, I wouldn’t want you to go around thinking that Bono - that well known twat - had anything except a charmed upbringing. Grover’s Corners is the pleasant, charming little village where the play _Our Town_ is set. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/98 "2005-06-25T23:19:09Z")
> [@devilsknew](#): > > I actually have a newfound respect for Cruise. I think his stand against the rampant psychoactive overmedication of America perpetrated by “Big Drug” and enabled by the psychiatry institution is to be applauded. He’s not against “overmedication” – he’s against **any** medication. (Isn’t he? I haven’t studied Scientology, but isn’t that one of their beliefs?) I think we’re overmedicated too, but I wouldn’t advocate throwing the baby out with the bath water. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/99 "2005-06-25T23:25:48Z")
Is this the same Tommy who would never give interviews? Who shunned publicity at all times, and loathed the press? Oh, every now and again, he would pick up some lady at the airport who had been knocked over, but overall, he kept to himself. Now he’s an attention whore? Guess Nicole was better for him than I thought (and I am NO fan of hers). This guy needs a muzzle and a keeper. And I wish an interviewer would grow a set and nail him as depicted in a prior post…we need Jon Stewart–no-we need Lewis Black to talk to this Tommyrot. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661/100 "2005-06-25T23:38:28Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > we need Lewis Black to talk to this Tommyrot. [Lewis Black] And I thought, “If it weren’t for my horse, I never would have spent that year in college.” was the dumbest thing I’d ever heard! [/LB] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-see-tom-cruise-on-today-this-morning/309661.md?page=6)