Well, I guess the thinking behind it is that he's got to start somewhere. For the past three months, he's been invisible and largely at the mercy of tabloid coverage. This presser is his attempt to seize back control of his own image. He's got to come out strong and try to re-brand himself as a golfer. So, sure, he's going to have to mention the whole unfortunate infidelity thing, but you can bet the final word from Tiger tomorrow will be about golf. Why? That's the impression his handlers (and the PGA) want us to take away.
Why so short? Because there's only so much to say and allowing Tiger to take questions would only open the door to more potential landmines.
The new pictures without the fancy lighting are truly horrific. What was the poor thing thinking?
I can hardly bear to look at poor Heidi at this point. But, in her defense, I'm not sure the lighting in that second pic would do anyone any favors.
Well, that's kind of what I was getting at when I wrote about her earlier this week. She's definitely sending a mixed message.
This seems like a good moment to get this out of the way.
I'm not sure how much the guy respects himself if he agrees to appear on "The Insider."
Only if the book is "How to Destroy Your Image in (at least) 13 Easy Steps."
Well, there seems to be much focus on Lindsey Vonn, who is not only athletically gifted, but easy on the eyes. I have to confess that I haven't been tuned in much to the Olympics this time around -- anyone else care to weigh in?
Hmm. Something tells me Tiger's commitment to a 12-step isn't behind this statement, no matter how noble a motivation that may be.
Trust me, this is all PR. The guy's livelihood is at stake. This is a man fighting for his brand.
Hmm, I'd have to go with the vegetarian mofungo I had in San Juan, the roasted eggplant hummus wrap and anything from Vieques's amazing Sol Food -- especially the Mayan chocolate brownies.
This reminds me -- do you have thoughts as to why Jeff Bridges and Vince Vaughn were sang in the new "We Are the World."?
I'm not sure Vince Vaughn even knows why he was there, but he sure was happy to be included. And, hey, it's all for a good cause.
As for Jeff Bridges, he's actually a fairly accomplished voacalist and with the buzz surrounding "Crazy Heart" (which, no, I still haven't seen) it isn't surprising that he'd be asked to pitch in.
I apologize. We're having issues with the autorefresh in IE 7 and 8. We thought we had them fixed as of this morning, but...
I said "at least 13," didn't I?
Thanks for the update, menswear. I'm sure, somewhere out there, there is at least one disappointed guy.
Unfortunately, it seems to me as if Tiger is handling his mea culpa the same way he has handled everything else in his life - control, control, control and I can do what I want when I want.
While this works for him on the golf course, it eventually blew up in his face in his personal life. I think people are hoping that after this whole mess, Tiger would come out of it a changed man, and I really wonder if he has at all.
There has been much speculation that he went to rehab not at his own volition, or because he believed he had a sex addiction, but because he felt that it was the only way he could get his wife back. I think he still has a long way to go to make things right not only for his family, but for himself as well.
I can't disagree with you. He's got a long way to go and it isn't at all clear that he's truly sorry for his actions. But making things right for his family and himself and trying to re-engage his fan-base are two totally different things. Tomorrow's presser is designed to do the latter -- remind us of why we even liked the guy in the first place (because he could play a hell of a game of golf). Sure, we also thought he was a stand up guy. To that end, he'll say he's sorry and hope we can all move on.
The kind of healing and closure you're talking about though is something that should be done in private.
Johnny Weir has a reality show debuting on Sundance.
Lindsey Vonn definitely has a spokesperson/modeling career ahead of her if she wants it, but alpine skiing is probably safer than DWTS, given the injuries on recent seasons of the show.
I can see Discovery doing a show about bobsledders that, in the off-season at least, would look a whole lot like Ax Men or Ice Road Truckers.
I might watch that. As long as Bear Grylls hosts.
Good question and I think this gets at what I wrote above. Again, tomorrow will be Tiger's bid at reassuring his core fan base, the PGA and his remaining sponsors that he is worthy of their attention and dollars.
And, no matter how women feel about him, time tends to heal all wounds. My prediction is that if Tiger can return his golf game to top form, he'll have a shot at regaining much of his former standing as a public figure. Distance and new headlines will quite simply bury the tabloidy stuff. That is, of course, if he can keep his private life on the stright and narrow.
Here's what you should do. Sign up, then visit my feed at @celebritology. Click on the feeds I follow and you'll have a pretty robust list of twittering celebs.
And thanks for asking because it gives me the perfect opportunity to plug today's new Twits episode.
They were less groovy than delicious. Super rich brownies with a hint of cinammon and big chunks of dark chocolate.
Sigh.
Ok - why with all that is happening in the world, and all the potential for emotional reactions, was I moved to tears at the sight of Jesse James Sandra Bullock and Jesse James reunited with his pitbull?
Hey, I think Cinnabun is way more worhty of your tears than retiring "Hollywood star" Tila Tequila.
Maybe Tiger will announce his retirement in the mode of a few other wandering athletes (See Jordan, M. and Armstrong, L.) A couple of years later he will announce his return to golf (likely with a different spouse at his side).
He should wait until golf is in the 2016 Olympics, then come back and destroy everyone and win the gold, re-earning America's love.
Brilliant plan. Someone get this to Tiger's people stat.
Okay, another cretive idea for Team Tiger...
I'm torn, too. Especially since Smith had originally been skedded for a different flight for which he'd had the foresight to purchase two seats. So he knew there was at least the potential that his girth would be an issue on this flight.
Maybe we should just chalk this one up to a bad bit of decision-making on the parts of both Southwest and Kevin Smith and call it a day.
I have been watching "30 Rock" this season and haven't noticed a drop in quality. The Valentine episode was great. I fell out of my chair when Liz Lemon hallucinated her exes at the dentist's office and Dennis (Beeper King) had one attached to the lapel of his jacket.
As Tysons, Nosy, etc. will attest, you can still put whatever you want in there.
A very good comment. He may be the one suffering the most from the disconnect between real life and his idealized image. Not that I'm ready to give the guy too much pity. I mean, at the end of the day, even if he loses his golf career he's still pretty well set up.
You mean his fellow pros or average shmos who happen to follow golf?
That is their recycled cardboard kitty pod. Andy and Opie are green.
Not sure if the Post is cool w/ you following or discussing non-Post jouranlists/cultural critics but I am really enjoying Toure's take on celeb misbehavior - John Mayer especially. Can we get him in as a guest a la the Answer Bithch in the chat?
Sure, why not? The more the merrier.
Well played sir!
Indeed.
Conventional wisdom seems to be leaning against Elin joining Tiger at the conference. Again, that would put the focus too much on his personal life and take away from his attempt to re-seize his image as a golf god.
I've been a bit captivated by planes and buildings today, but I definitely agree that Lindsey Vonn could have a modeling career. Just check out her SI swimsuit spread. Also, I'm liking the new format.
Thanks, I like it, too. A lot easier for me to participate, add links, pix, etc.
I wonder how much Under Armor paid to get Lindsey in that bikini...?
It would be bad PR on "SNL's" part to not extend an invite. I'm not sure they'll offer her an actual entire show to host, though. I'm thinking we'll see her turn up in a cameo before too long.
I wonder if any Las Vegas bookie is offering a line on how long it will be after Tiger Woods' news conference before The Daily Show, SNL or some other comedy troupe comes out with a satire that is full of golfing double entendres.
Bodog.com is offering odds for questions like "Will Elin be present?," "How many times will Tiger say 'sorry'?" and -- my favorite -- "Will Tiger wipe a tear from his face?"
Make way for Willie!
Well, it sure would be entertaining if he led all of his alleged mistresses on to the stage with him. Perhaps wearing Miss America-esque sashes -- "Miss Porn Star," "Miss Sexting," etc.
You know Sarah Palin isn't actually a fictional character, right?
Well, Paul, that's debatable.
Thanks for saying what I didn't want to. I spent some time with golfers myself and I can't say that they were any more possessed of integrity than any other demographic.
I'd like to see Elin holding one of those giant Happy Gilmour checks.
Also, Gary Coleman should be there in some capacity.
Now the real presser is going to be a total let down. Our imaginary version is so much more entertaining.
I've been following the skirmish re: Kevin Smith and Southwest, and he says that while he regularly books 2 seats on SW, it's to give him privacy and not because of his girth. Since SW is so cheap (he says) it's not too expensive to do that. He says that he could fit in his seat with the armrests down without expanding into the other seats on the disputed flight, and that his seatmates on that flight had no complaints about him sitting next to them/being in their way. More info here.
Thanks for the update.
You don't have to sign up for twitter to get tweets. If you go to twitter.com/(handle) you can read the tweets of the people you're into. I do this for NPH, Liz (of course), and Craig Ferguson. Yes, I don't have a facebook page, myspace whatever, blah blah blah, etc. either. If you want to talk to me you can call, email or text. I think that's enough options.
Thankew!
Actually, Mr. Liz and I watch Bear to have a good laugh. He provides practically zero usable survial tips. That show is all about his ego and propensity to risk his neck.
If it's survival you're after, watch "Man vs. Wild."
Yeah, I'm not sure a reenactment would do much to help us move on. But I do think your suggestion of making fun of himself isn't the worst idea out there. It could go a long way to defuse the sting of the tabloid stories.
Another point of view...
Nor can I... any more than I would be comfortable asking a flight attendant to do something about the jackhole in front of me who insists on fully reclining his seat into my space in economy. Same diff, really.
Augh!!!! Yes, "Survivorman." I blame the fog of pregnancy.
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