John Cusack is a "prima donna?"

We've forgiven Australia for so many things: Paul "That's not a knife!" Hogan, Midnight Oil, and even those dreaded Vegemite sandwiches. (Damn you, Men at Work, for implying they were so tasty!)

But now Aussie actor Paul Leyden is spouting off that 80s hero John Cusack is a "prima donna." Unless that's yet another Down Under slang word for "cool, beer-swilling Cubs fan," this means war.

"John Cusack was one of my favorite actors until I met him," Leyden said during a radio interview, according to Australia's Daily Telegraph (which, given the country's odd behavior, could actually be a telegraph instead of a paper). "I have to say one thing - and this is my favorite line when people ask me what I think of John Cusack - he plays nice guys on film. So, read between the lines."

The two worked recently together on the set of "The Factory," a horror movie starring Cusack and written by Leyden that's due for release in 2009.

I know what you're all thinking: "Who the hell is Paul Leyden anyway?" Good question. I had to look it up myself. Leyden's pretty much a journeyman TV actor who has popped up now and again in various shows. He has played the role of "Simon Frasier" in "As The World Turns" for the last few years as well.

In other words, when it comes to reliable commentary about stars like Cusack, Leyden is a few kangaroos short of a zoo, even in a land where "the beer does flow and the men chunder."

To his credit, when the Vegemite hit the fan, Leyden backed down, saying his comments were "lost in translation."

"I feel terrible that I've said something about someone I have absolute admiration and respect for," he told the Herald-Sun. "I was joking around."

Comments

[Marissa]

Oh hell no! Nobody better be trash talkin' about my man. No way, no how.

I have heard that he's a lousy tipper when it comes to visiting Wrigley Field. He and his entourage will party it up, he's friendly, but obviously thinks the server's tip is part of the bill. (an online pally writes about his adventures as a server in the suites at Wrigley).

[jane]

Can I tell you how much I hate the fact that I knew who Paul Leyden was, even before I read through the article... I have been know to tune into "As The World Turns" on occasion over the last 30 years or so. Used to watch it with my nana and my mom when I was a kid. (Shut. Up.)

He totally has kangaroos in his top paddock, spewing that nonsense. Hope he's paying his publicist well, for he/she is certainly earing his/her salery doing damage control.

[Miguel]

My only concern is why the hell is John Cusack aka cool Johnny working with Paul Leyden from As The World Turns(i don`t know that show here in Portugal, but isn`t it a soap?).

[jane]

Yes, yes it is, Miguel. One about which I know far too many details...

[Walter Cox]

Far from being the first time I've heard somebody disparage Cusack.

"Sometimes" came on my iPod as I read Spears disparaging the Oils again. Sorry, Steve, you're so totally wrong.

[Marissa]

To hijack and distort a song title: "If hating them (Midnight Oil) is wrong, he don't wanna be right" ~ The Steve Spears Story.

[Spears]

I'd rather eat four jars of Vegemite than listen to another Midnight Oil song.

[Walter Cox]

That's a bold statement. And possibly the subject of your next video highlight clip.....

[Paul]

Sometimes, I just have to put it all in perspective. The man disses Midnight Oil immediately following a post about freakin' JOURNEY... A guilty pleasure act at best.

And just so this is remotely on topic..
I was never all that big a fan of Cusack anyway. I mean, the guy really isn't that great an actor. He basically plays the same part in every film. Would we care about him much at all if he weren't in some beloved 80s films?