By the time Casey Affleck’s documentary (or mockumentary) on Joaquin Phoenix’s retirement from acting and subsequent rap career is finished, will anyone still care about any of it? If today’s frenzy over Phoenix’s appearance last night on Late Show with David Letterman is any indication, I’m guessing that many people will. I seriously thought the story was beyond tired at this point, especially after the very believable accusations that Phoenix’s career change and behavior are nothing but a Borat- or Punk’d- or Andy Kaufman-like prank. From looking at some of the reactions today, though, I guess there are still a lot of people in the media who haven’t heard it’s a hoax (most think he’s on drugs here). But even the more-knowing bloggers were all about Phoenix this morning, whether because they are annoyed with the actor for blowing a great opportunity to promote his new film, Two Lovers, or they’re simply still curious about what’s actually going on. What I want to know is, has anyone else thought about the obvious rise-from-the-ashes connection between the actor’s name and a certain mythological creature? Maybe that’s his whole motivation behind the act.

Anyway, here’s a sampling of what people are saying about the Letterman appearance:
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