Mel Gibson Co-Stars with Shirley Temple in Bali?

(9/29/2007)

When not reaping headlines in connection with his latest film project, Mel Gibson sometimes grabs less flattering coverage, as he did in July 2006 for blathering racist expletives during an arrest for drunk driving in California.

Now, just coming off a court-ordered year-long recovery program that stipulated weekly attendance at Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, Mel's been In Bali for a holiday visit. The 51 year-old actor was reported by the social columnist of the Bali Times to be in very fine spirits during his stay; engaging in table-top dancing and adult sofa jumping at a local nightspot, creating scenes reminiscent of Tom Cruise's now-immortal Oprah Winfrey appearance.

Bourbon Renewal in Kerbokan?

The incident and Mel's state of "overly joyous holiday abandon" occurred during an evening out at The Living Room Restaurant in Kerobokan and has prompted speculation in the international media that Mel may have "tippled" off the wagon on the road to sobriety during his Bali visit.

However, a spokesman for the Actor was quick to launch a pre-emptive strike, insisting Mel remains "dry" and "high" and was only drinking one of those fruity, non-alcoholic mocktails while in Bali.

As Mel will testify, sipping a Shirley Temple in Bali can be lethal to your reputation.

Hey, Mel, was that two umbrellas and a maraschino cherry?