What a mixed blessing, to be in show business and to have an opinion. Speaking your mind, giving an honest answer and making a few jokes under the influence of alcohol are sure ways to shock the tabloids and turn half the world against you. A smart celebrity knows when he or she is beat and it's time to apologize. For the good of the community, to mend friendships, and most importantly, to save a career. However, there is also an art to apologizing in the public eye. Learning the art of apologizing can touch your admirers and satisfy your skeptics. But some celebrities haven't quite mastered the timing or found the right words to express themselves. So we, the skeptics, now share our ratings of the latest show business apologies.

Tom Cruise: Apologized to Brooke Shields for his public criticism of her choosing to use antidepressants.
Review: Brooke Shields was impressed with Tom's private and heartfelt apology. Perhaps she never saw Jerry Maguire and didn't recognize the lines. The timing of the apology seems a bit suspicious, since Tom was just fired from Paramount last month and saw his lowest box office total ever in Mission Impossible 3.
Grade: C-

Mel Gibson: Apologized for his DUI arrest and for anti-Semitic and sexist remarks made shortly thereafter.
Review: Mel Gibson apologized not once but three times. First a public apology for his conduct--which was largely criticized for excluding specific offending statements. Then a second apology to the Jewish community for his anti-Semitic remarks. Then most recently to his arresting officers. We'll give him a marginal grade, assuming that if the world never forgives him he will keep apologizing time and time again until his guilt is healed.
Grade: B-

NBC: Apologized for airing a segment on the Emmy's that inadvertently offended viewers who just learned of the unexpected and fatal crash of a Kentucky commuter plane.
Review: It would have been nice of O'Brien to personally apologize along with the network, but what can you do? The parody was in honor of the TV show Lost, and the subject matter of plane crashes has long been used as comedy fodder by people who are--understandably--afraid of flying.
Grade: B+

Eminem: Apologized to Kendra Wilkinson, one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends, after the two had an altercation that resulted in the rapper splashing water on Miss Wilkinson.
Review: Was Hefner's girlfriend angry because the water incident was not photographed and used for the November spread? Nevertheless, it's impressive to see such an angry young man apologizing for anything.
Grade: B

ABC: Apologized to rapper Chamillionaire for canceling an interview on 20/20 on "racial profiling."
Review: ABC canceled the entire segment on racial profiling not just the rapper's interview. The network stated that they didn't want to waste his time since the segment was not going to air anyway. But wouldn't this be an in the same ballpark as racial profiling, assuming that there was more important things to air?
Grade: C

Steve Irwin: While not an "apology", Australia and the rest of the world did regretfully mourn the death of crocodile hunter Steve Irwin this week. Federal parliament interrupted their meeting to give respect as fans gathered to pay tribute to their fallen hunter.
Review: Sad news, though not entirely unexpected. Steve Irwin was an animated character who sought adventure and entertained fans all over the world, far beyond the outback. His fans and the rest of the world were pleasantly respectful and gave fitting tribute. (Surprisingly so, since Irwin had been often criticized and lampooned for his dangerous lifestyle) Not an apology per say, but this week saw a genuine and touching tribute bestowed upon one of television's icons.
Grade: A