He's back! Tom Cruise returns to TODAY

Posted: Thursday, December 11, 2008 3:01 PM by Becca Field

UPDATE: Click here to watch Matt's interview with Tom Cruise from Monday's show. We'll have more Tom Cruise on Wednesday.

Three years ago ─ a month after his infamous couch-jumping incident on Oprah ─ a newly-engaged Tom Cruise sat down with to talk with Matt Lauer about ‘War of the Worlds,’ but the interview quickly turned into a war of the words. The two debated Cruise’s earlier-criticism of Brooke Shields for taking anti-depressants, prompting the three-time Oscar-nominated to let out of series of ‘Matt, Matt, Matt’ and calling him "glib." They've buried the hatchet and Cruise gave Lauer a verbal squewering at this fall’s Friars Club roast (video) but we’re wondering what will happen when they get together again on the TODAY set on Monday. In the meantime, take a look at the video from their famous encounter on June 23, 2005.

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Comments

I watched Mr. Cruise's interview not so very long ago and my opinion of him changed dramatically. Here is someone who i watched from my teenage years and thought grew to be a wonderful person and star. But from then on his speech with Matt, i could not bear watching him or hearing him speak. I thought what a know it all who actually thinks he knows it all. Today i saw a man who was choosing his words carefully and actually thinking about what he said before he blurted it out. My opinion is softer and maybe a little more tolerable, but time will tell if he learned from his past mistakes. I am sure he will have many more interviews to come.

Michele, Belgrade, Maine (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 7:50 AM)

Just watched the Tom Cruise interview and was not impressed with him. He seems to be carrying a chip on his shoulder for some reason. Never heard the words "I'm sorry" Still cut Matt short and corrected his words or definitions up to the end. My quest5ion is: Why Matt? Cut him loose to much else going for you. Merry Christmas to all.

Vickie Bloomington, Il (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 9:05 AM)

congradulations to Matt and Tom!It was obious to me that Tom was nervous and yet very sincere.I don't beleive in his choice of religion BUT I have respect for him for NOT opoligizing for his beliefs.I hope Tom and Katie have a good life together.Matt was great. I have always been a fan of Matt and now I am even a stronger fan. I have now become for the first time a fan of Tom.
May God bless you both.

lynette spence (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 9:20 AM)

Tom Cruise is on Wednesday, cool. Ask him about his dancing in Tropic Thunder. How long did he have to prepare for that role ? Does he love to dance , like in Risky business ? Can wait to see his new Movie, Valkarye ....

Donna ( Illinois ) (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 9:23 AM)

It looks like Tom grew-up alittle since the last time he graced the Today Show studio.

g'eglesiaspennsylvania (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 9:27 AM)

What is next for Tom Cruise ? Is he going to make H.H. Holmes movie ?

Donna from Illinois (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 9:28 AM)

I have been a Tom Cruise fan for a long time, and like many others, I was disappointed in how he handled himself and treated Matt Lauer 3 yrs ago on the Today Show. Since then I've continued to support Tom's films but have never forgotten that interview. I thought he was great this morning on the Today Show as it's obvious that he seems humbled and took ownership for his behavior. The bottom line is that Tom is a magnificent actor and I was really happy to watch him this morning and hope Valkarie is successful.

Chris Melton (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 9:48 AM)

Sorry - but I found the whole interview with Tom Cruise extremely distasteful. He is so self-absorbed

j smith boise (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 9:56 AM)

I saw the segment with Tom Cruise and I am glad he was aware of how crazy he seemed a few years ago, but I am still not paying to see another movie that he is in. He has permanantly changed his image in my mind. I no longer see him as a talented actor but as a strange little man.

Barbara Currie Washington,DC (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 10:40 AM)

I am not surprised that he is making amends, and he should, but I doubt his sincerity. He has movie to plug and American women don't appreciate him for many reasons. The comment about Brook Shields is not the only reason I am sure. I will never be able to believe that he is anything but arrogant and I will never watch another movie of his at all he is disrespectful to women period. Words are easy behavior is the most telling.!

Jackie Henry (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 11:00 AM)

I agree with Vicki. He did seem to cut Matt off continually. He also seemed very tense and reluctant to really apologize. I do like him as an actor, but don't like how he went about "aquiring" his current wife.

Julie (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 1:48 PM)

I'm sorry people....I love Tom Cruise not only as a gifted actor but for all he gives back tp the world.
I am not a Scientologist and saw nothing "Crazy" about his behavior. He is very passionate about his life and beliefs. What is wrong with jumping up and down on a couch with excitement or trying to share the
knowledge you know to be true with other people so they can improve their lives? What is everybody so afraid of? ...another great thing....he has the ability to step back and objectively look at himself
and learn from it....

Debbie Mulvena Wilmington Delaware (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 2:02 PM)

I watched the interview with Tom Cruise today and I thought he is still very arrogant. Just the way he carries himself and the way he speaks to other people. I always liked most of the movies he is in, but not necessarily for his acting, but the movie itself. I think very highly of Matt, however Tom Cruise does not impress me in the least. The only reason I would go see the new movie he is in is because it does sound interesting, it's not just about Tom!

Kelly, Albany, New York (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 2:10 PM)

I continue to be impressed with Matt Lauer's journalistic skill. The only reason both interviews with Tom Cruise have not been fiascos is because of Matt's skills and his professionalism.

Tom's appearance on the news set this morning - prior to his scheduled interview - is one more indication that his ego far outweighs his talent.

Judy Brunner, Springfield, MO (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 2:58 PM)

I have read some of these comments and would have to say that some people have more chips on their shoulder than Mr. Cruise. i believe that he handled himself quite professionally, I have seen the interview that took place three years ago and it was just a debate between friends nothing more. Its fans and people who hold grudges on film stars that saw an "Arrogance" toward Mr. Cruise and the Media itself taking things way out of proportion to sell their newspapers. And the way Tom handle talkinging about his new movie which is an Historical piece knows his stuff. Even corecting Mr. Lauer when he said quote from Lauer "How did it feel to wear an SS uniform" Mr. Cruise replied "it was a Wehrmacht uniform actually." Mr. Cruise is correct if anyone out there actually knows their history, which is very sad because i know that 85 percent of Americans don't.

Wiegand Micheal A., St. Luois, Missouri (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 3:02 PM)

Matt did the interview, Tom plugged his new movie, opening on Christmas days of all days to open.

While I dont think Tom is a great actor, his movies have been entertaining. So people keep it in perspective.

Roda, Alabama (Sent Monday, December 15, 2008 7:05 PM)

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