Taiwan to Sir Elton: It's All Good



After a rather odd media event on Wednesday, on the heels of the Cat Steven's deportment, Sir Elton John went, well, a little batshit on Taiwanese reporters, says MSNBC:

"Elton John warmed up his vocal cords for a concert in Taiwan by telling photographers they were a bunch of 'rude, vile pigs.'

"The media ambushed the rock star after he arrived by private plane Thursday shortly after midnight at Taipei?s Chiang Kai-shek International Airport. John was angry that police allegedly didn?t properly restrain the pack and protect him 'from the ensuing chaos,' said a statement issued by the 57-year-old singer.

"ETTV cable news showed footage of John, dressed in a royal blue track suit and matching sunglasses, berating the photographers and TV crews as he cleared immigration. The fuming star also was shown clenching his teeth and muttering expletives as he stood with his arms crossed tightly across his chest.

?'Rude vile pigs,' shouted John, who performed later in Taipei. 'Do you know what that means? Rude vile pigs. That?s what all of you are.'

"One of the photographers shouted back, 'Why don?t you get out of Taiwan?'

"John answered, 'We?d love to get out of Taiwan if it?s full of people like you. Pig! Pig!'"

But, apparently all things are forgiven if you are Sir Elton. The New Zealand City News reviewed his performance thusly:

"Elton turned the air as blue as his ill-fitting track suit when journalists mobbed him, calling them 'vile pigs'.However, his tone was more moderate as he chatted to fans during a sell-out concert, saying there was a 'little incident at the airport but none of it was directed at the Taiwanese people.'"

He then proceeded to charm the pants off the Taiwanese -- figuratively, says the Taipei Times:

"Then we were all treated to a helluva rock-and-roll show that demonstrated why Elton John has been drawing audiences for longer than many of his fans have been alive.

"He took his place behind the piano and ripped into Bennie and the Jets, Levon, Daniel and Philadelphia Freedom, warming up a crowd that sat in a steady drizzle.

"Next he worked through a lengthy jam of Rocket Man complete with a Far Eastern Air jetliner flying meters overhead to land at Songshan Airport. It was a magic moment that couldn't have been timed better and it earned John his first standing ovation. He thanked the crowd and all that business at the airport was forgotten."

So, the Taiwan loves Sir Elton, now, if only we could get Kazakhstan to love Borat, maybe there would be a chance at World Peace.