Pop-Ed: The Public Image of Jesse James is Toast

By Joel Keller Posted May 27th 2010 03:36PM

Vicky Mabry interviews Jesse James on 'Nightline'

Pop-ed: If you watched the 'Nightline' interview with Jesse James this week, you probably came away with the impression that James is not the mouth-breathing idiot the tabloids have made him out to be. Indeed, the man that broke Sandra Bullock's heart seems like a sensitive, intelligent man who knows that he ruined the best thing in his life and is trying to take steps to -- at least partially -- repair what he broke.

That doesn't mean that the public is going to let him off the hook, though.

No matter how well-reasoned James came off in that interview, he is still the guy who sat at a number of different awards ceremonies this spring listening to his wife say that he had her back, all the while knowing in the back of his mind that he didn't. It's a big reason why, when news came out of his affair with Michelle "Bombshell" McGee, his treatment by the public and the tabloids felt even more vicious than what the much-more-famous Tiger Woods received.

Don't believe me? Check out the anger coming from this brief New York Daily News article about the 'Nightline' interview. In the span of about 330 words, writer Corky Siemaszko calls James "Sandra Bullock's horrible husband," derides James' assertion that cheating on Bullock was his way of "self-sabotaging" his life as "what passes for self-analysis in the demented mind of a 41-year-old heel," writes that Bullock is "not going to be married to this dope much longer," and rounds out the piece by describing James as "sniveling."

Wow. Even Woods hasn't had that much invective spewed on him, and his marital transgressions were at least as bad (and numerous), if not worse, than James.'

So why is there such invective towards Jesse? A few reasons come to mind:

1. The whole "America's Sweetheart" thing: Unlike 90% of America, I never thought Sandy and Jesse were a mismatch. Bullock always came across in interviews as a bit of a tomboy, someone who could ride a motorcycle or build a house and look beautiful doing it. So it made sense that she might be attracted to a smart guy who could put together a kick-ass custom bike.

But to the rest of the country, Bullock felt like a girlfriend or sister, that person you know that seemed to finally find the true happiness that had eluded her for years. Remember all the "why is she still single?" stories about Bullock in the '90s and early '00s? There seemed to be a lot of public teeth-gnashing that this beautiful, talented, funny woman couldn't find a date (see any Jen Aniston tabloid story nowadays). So everyone was rooting for Sandy to settle down, and were happy to see her in marital bliss -- even if it was with Jesse.

2. Jesse's excuses are poor: In the interview, he somehow connected cheating on Bullock with his past abusive relationship with his father, claiming that it made him feel that he wasn't good enough for her. While the fact that he opened up about the abuse was admirable, it feels like the words of a man who was fresh out of rehab, using events in the past as a crutch.

Everyone has baggage, even heavy baggage, but they don't let that baggage dictate their behavior. If James truly felt strongly enough about not wanting to hurt Bullock and his kids, he would have been able to fight his impulse control more.

3. He ruined Bullock's moment in the sun: If the revelations about James' affair with McGee happened when Bullock was starring in 'Miss Congeniality 2,' steering the sinking ship that was 'Speed 2' or even promoting her by-the-numbers rom-com hit 'The Proposal,' there would have been a much briefer outcry.

But the timing of the story was perfect from a tabloid perspective: Bullock, after the aforementioned teary awards-season speeches, her Oscar and the career respect it garners, didn't even have a week to enjoy her marvelous accomplishment. And it's all the fault of this guy, who many of Bullock's fans thought of as some tattooed jerk she should have never married in the first place.

Because of all these reasons, there's a high probability that James is never going to get the chance to rehabilitate his public image. Then again, if he gets the help he needs and is able to take care of his kids as well as the baby he and Bullock adopted, he may not care about that much, which is probably the most normal thing to come out of this mess.

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Sandra Bullock and Jesse James Pics

Just days before the explosive cheating story broke, Jesse James and Sandra Bullock were on top of the Hollywood world, thanks to Bullock's Oscar win. Then, things imploded. See photos of Sandra and Jesse post-Bombshell.

AFP/Getty Images

AFP

Sandra Bullock and Jesse James Pics

In this publicity image released by ABC, correspondent Vicky Mabrey, left, is shown with Jesse James, husband of actress Sandra Bullock during an interview for "Nightline," on Wednesday May 12, 2010 in Long Beach, Calif. The interview will air on Tuesday, May 25, at 11:35 p.m. EST on ABC. (AP Photo/ABC, Patrick Wymore)

Sandra Bullock and Jesse James Pics

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Jesse James and his daughter Chandler return from a trip to the Southern United States. Was Jesse there to finalize his divorce, or were Jesse and Chandler visiting Sandra Bullock and her adopted baby Louis Bardo? EXCLUSIVE May 13, 2010 Job: 100513NB2 Los Angeles, California www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Sandra Bullock and Jesse James Pics

Tags: jesse james, michelle bombshell mcgee, nightline, sandra bullock

Comments

(20)

Thursday 27 May

By MAGOOS

Vote down Vote up Report this

Everybody can rehab one way or another. James is still fairly young and has time to atone and straighten up. Currently his reputation is in the toilet but America has revamped people far worse than him! I think this saga is about done now.

By Ron Ross

Once a biker always a biker's mentality. With Jesse he is a one man biker gang....Women are drawn to the bad boys so he shines....

By bailoutsos

He should have went with the Twinkie alibi.

By MerrickMama24

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I have always adored Sandra Bullock, and will continue to do so. However, when she married Jessie I was shaking my head, thinking what is this woman thinking? He had this bad-arss rep., and his former wife is a porn star. What ya see, is what ya get. To me, the hand writing was on the wall from day one. I really ache for her, but I know she'll recover and a lesson, albeit a tough one, will be learned.

By Tim

rehab is about stepping into one's true image, not back into the false image that was destructable. what is true in its nature is non-destructable. so if it is in one's nature to have been false then being true to themself and all concerned in that, is the rehab that steps into the true self or image. what is best about any person but for them to own their worst? at that grace given best, one can modify their nature to avoid their worst when it shows back up..., and it will show back up.

By hibuyamerican

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

By vcrozas

Who cares????? It is his life and why John & Jane Doe want to crucifie him is beyond me.....it don't matter in your life or mine...duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Same for Sandra Bullock

By majorangstgirl

I'm always amuzed by folks who obviously CARE ENOUGH to take the time to read a story and then CARE ENOUGH to take the time to log in and post about a story, all so they can say they don't really care and neither should anyone else...

By SUE

I think Tiger is proably loving this..takes the spotlight off him. I wish Jess well for the sake of his children. I hope he can look inward and now be a better person. I don't think Sandra can ever trust her heart with him though.

By peach

Sensitive and intelligent!?? He's a jerk, and that interview only proved it!

By Kitty

It is so easy for everyone to throw the first stone. I would bet my life that everyone that has done so has made a big mistake in their life or will at some point. (Including me.....)You would think that he is the first person on earth to cheat on a nice spouse. The difference is that his mistakes are for all the public to know and then give their very nasty and cheap opinions.

By Liz

Call me crazy, but Jessie James is NO Tiger woods! I believe he is sincere & hurt by all he's done. I think he truly loves Sandra B. & if he had the chance would be true to her. I don't think Tiger is Sincere at all, he is a pig at heart & will never change. I think Jessie James has & will change. Good luck to him & his family.

I repeat: He's a JERK!

By sleepyhead

Yes, now what? Just go back to your garage and disinfect it and get a new couch, paint it, ya know, air it out from all of the HO'S that were in there. Remodel it ALL!! Or, burn it.

By Hate4Losers

That was cute! And appropriate!

Friday 28 May

By AnnaLora

I want to remind all of you who pitied James after that tear-inducing story about "7 year old boy with broken arm".NOW James 41 years old!He had repeated unprotected sex with the multitude dirty strippers and could bring AIDS virus to his family!Price of Jesse's doings IS PRICE OF SANDRA'S LIFE!!!Who of you who pity and approves James doings now is ready to pay such a price - TO DIE FROM AIDS?!Let it be as you wish!

By ac

i agree i thought the interview was lame and seemed so contrived! i think his image is ruined becuase now that he is caught he is trying to constantly say he's sorry and he wants to be better for her . well considering she is divorcing him i think its time to move on. id have more respect for the guy if he just kept his mouth shut and went about his buisness did he really think going on nightline and gma was going to change everything ?

By mystified

I really hope Jesse and Sandra can get back together without all the media and the publie trying to stir things up...Seems like some people thrive on others mistakes and misery...Get out of their lives people, and get a life of your own...

By matty

jesse should just move on with hes life. she truly never loved him and maybe just used him like all the female in hollywood do with great men is to use them one way or another. enjoy life jesse ur a good man

By doreen

jesse james yr ex stepmother and biological father need to do some reflecting in their own lives.thank GOD for the belief in yr sister and her support that is so important. Why was the marriage only 4yrs--denial is one thing, acknowledging the truth is a step up the ladder. Good Luck in the future.

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