Kiwi authorities are more taken with Russell Crowes onstage smoking than they are with his music. Public health authorities are in a puff that Crowe smoked throughout his indoor performances with band The Ordinary Fear of God in Auckland and Wellington last week.

Crowe, 41, was reportedly reprimanded to stop and that he was in violation of the Smoke Free Environment Amendments Law. He failed to comply, leading supporters of the legislation to cry foul and allege that the Oscar winner was receiving special treatment.

"So, he's above the law because he's a celebrity or something? Just because you're Russell Crowe doesn't mean you can do whatever you like," Becky Freeman, director of Action on Smoking and Health, told the paper's Sunday edition.

Crowe may have no recourse, though. It appears that the management of the venue would be at fault from the standpoint of the law and may face fines. Crowe had the following comment concerning his behavior:

"I like to have a smoke, which has been getting me into trouble lately," he told the audience.

Crowe did not comment on the reviews he received on his band in New Zealand's The Dominion Post newspaper.

its music critic slammed Crowe's performance as "stunningly average" and said his songs were "close to embarrassing."

Ouch. Maybe a hint to stick with what brings home the gold

Telltale

USA

May 2004

APR 04, 2006 12:54 PM

Hey, I've heard Russell Crowe's music, and I loved it!

Oh wait, I was listening to the hiss of a radiator while I was on peote. Oh well, same thing.

James_

United Kingdom

March 2003

APR 04, 2006 01:02 PM

Laughing_Man said:
Hey, I've heard Russell Crowe's music, and I loved it!

Oh wait, I was listening to the hiss of a radiator while I was on peote. Oh well, same thing.

I dunno, man, that radiator music is pretty deep stuff.

Wow. My hand is, like, huge

CocoabutteR

Brooklyn, NY

March 2006

APR 04, 2006 06:15 PM

Hmmmmmm....I wonder what would kill me first.....being stuck in a room with Russell Crowe while he smoked

....OR being stuck in a room with Russell Crowe while he played music.

deadskinrose

Norwalk, CA

June 2005

APR 05, 2006 01:05 PM

hes a musician now? good-god

BOARDS:

TOPICS:

NEWS: Crowe: Leaving Kiwis Fuming

lilyk

I'm lost

December 2004

APR 04, 2006 11:57 AM