Photo: Contributed - Fame

Mel Gibson in West Hollywood, Saturday night

Do not adjust your TV set. No need to look for accumulated dust on your glasses. Your eyes are not deceiving you.

Apparently, Mel Gibson (yes, THAT Mel Gibson) tried to step in and help save Whitney during the darkest period of her life.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock this past week, you’d know that Whitney Houston passed away and her funeral took place over the weekend.

But even if you have been under a rock, it’s likely your crustaceous roommate Crabby would have told you all about how Bobby Brown left early then went to perform with New Edition and how Whitney’s Godmother Aretha Franklin failed to show up.  

So you’re all up to date.

Now how does Mel fit into this?

TMZ reports:

“Sources tell us … several years ago, when Whitney was about as bad off with drugs and alcohol as she ever was, Mel quietly intervened and spent a lot of time with her, trying to help her break the addiction cycle. We’re told Whitney’s family is “extremely appreciative” and wanted Mel at the funeral, but because of family plans he can’t attend.”

Really? Wha…? Mel? Wouldn’t this be a case of the pot calling the kettle black African American oh screw it, that isn’t even the right idiom.

But you get what I mean, don’t you?

In all seriousness, I actually think Mel needs some credit here.

I took some heat last week for lumping him in with Chris Brown and Charlie Sheen, and perhaps I wasn’t being fair. Not because I believe the allegations against him are false, but because deep down I think Mel Gibson WANTS to be a good person and actually does GET the consequences of his actions.

If you recall, back when Britney Spears flipped out and shaved her head bald etc. etc., Mad Mel was on the case and reportedly spent quite a bit of platonic time with Britney in an attempt to improve her mental state of affairs.

And perhaps his latest film project - chronicling the life of Jewish hero Judah Maccabee – is his way of making peace with the chosen people who he has chosen to criticize in the past.

I think we have no reason to doubt Mel Gibson’s efforts in trying to make a difference in Whitney’s life.

And for the record, his performance in Jody Foster’s The Beaver (her movie, people… get your minds out of the gutter) was worthy of an Oscar nomination, but the Academy probably wasn’t ready to forget about those threatening voicemails.

I admit I’m conflicted about Mel.

I think there’s more to him than many give him credit for.

Hopefully he’ll turn things around enough so that when it’s time for the Grim Reaper to be knockin’ at his door, he’ll be remembered more for the good things he does than all the other crap we’re used to reading.