Gibson on comeback trail

Mel Gibson is in the midst of a careful "comeback" campaign, attempting to promote his new movie, "The Beaver," directed by and co-starring his good friend, Jodie Foster. (It is about a man who is too damaged emotionally to deal with normal personal interactions -- he "speaks" with the use of a hand puppet. Foster says he is brilliant.)

Mel gave an interview several weeks ago in which he asserted thatthe raging tape recordings made of him by his ex-lover Oksana Grigorieva are not a true indication of his personality. He insisted again he was not racist, anti-Semitic or anti-woman. He also confessed that although only Jodie Foster and Whoopi Goldberg have been brave enough to openly express their affection for him, he still has friends in the business. But Mel shrugs, "I understand why they won't go public -- why put yourself through all that?"

Mel also gave an interview to Britain's John Hiscock. Again he says: "I live my life the way I've always lived it, without a single act of discrimination against anyone."

Well, only he knows. Or maybe he doesn't? But one bad habit Melis attempting to give up is smoking. He's now trying one of those electronic cigarettes with the fake smoke and the end that lights up.

Movies? Mel says he could easily see never acting again. But, heis writing what he calls "the ultimate Viking epic. It's hard tomake a Viking story sympathetic, but I think I've found a way to doit."

Hmmm maybe the Vikings can hold hand puppets while they pillage?

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The last time I thought about Bradley Cooper was when I saw his terrific movie, "Limitless." It did occur to me, after I left the theater, that he was publicly squiring my friend Renee Zellweger. When I saw her in Texas, I had forgotten to ask about her three-year "romance" with Bradley. We had eventually found ourselves inmuch more serious and interesting talk -- about the Internet, theuniverse and the absurdities of stardom. Well, maybe it was a goodthing I didn't mention Mr. Cooper, because within days of handingRenee her Austin Film Society Hall of Fame award, word came thatMiss Z and Mr. C had parted.

Now comes word -- via the ever-reliable weekly glossies -- thatMr. Bradley has moved on to another lovely blonde star. I do mean Jennifer Aniston.

Naturally, because we are talking about Jennifer, the magazines have to make her out to be some kind of romantic victim -- she is "in over her head," "fantasizes about having a baby with Bradley," "she feels he could be the one." But, these insiders insist Bradley is "a known fame-seeker, using his charm and good looks to get close to the A-list."

Really? Since at least the release of "The Hangover," Mr. Cooper hardly needs to hang around with famous women to "get close to the A-list." He is the A-list.

As for Miss Aniston, what the heck is the matter with being 40and single, looking great, having a nice career and not moaning publicly about your "biological clock"?

In these tabloid articles, friends "always fear" for MissAniston. If these "friends" exist, I'd advise them to look to theirown lives. Jennifer Aniston seems just fine.

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I could wring the neck of my old pal Madonna. She looked spectacular at the Alexander McQueen tribute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art the other evening. The iconic star wore a gorgeous blue gown that fit her like a glove and was in every way suitable to her alluring maturity and her soon-to-be lauded efforts as the director of "W.E."

But what did M have to say when asked how she felt? "I feel fatin this dress!" she said. I'm sure designer Stella McCartney loved that!

La Ciccone looked, in fact, healthy, trim, but rounded in all theright places. She even cut her hair a few inches, which makes a big (positive) difference.

I wish she'd stop this foolishness. If she gained 20 pounds she wouldn't be fat. It's OK to be a little voluptuous.