A couple of days ago I wrote a summary of recent back and forth between Patton Oswalt, David Cross and the public at large. In Patton's final response he explains...

I doubt you remember this, but back in March of 2006 I was in New York, and ran into you at Rififi. I was wearing a suit, and without anyone asking about it or being the least bit interested (unlike you, I am in constant, panick-y worry about what people think of me), I explained, “I just came from the premiere of Failure To Launch.

THE LATEST: In true fairytale goodness, David's future self has since wrote David's present self a letter to round things out, and cool things off. It can be read in it entirity at David's site. Here's an excerpt...

Just don't sweat the small stuff is what I'm getting at here. Nobody really truly gives a shit about it. You're being more than a little vain if you think they do. And if they really, truly do care and you really truly care that they care, then you can drive down to Best Buy and hash it out with them in person (and don't forget to take a look at their screenplay that's almost finished. It's kind of like "Kill Bill" meets "Kill Bill Vol. 2 but waaaay radder). Also, just so you know, you and Patton will remain good friends. Although when Fox buys Pixar and makes "Alvin and The Chipmunks vs. Ratatouille - The Reckoning" things will get a little hairy for awhile. (No pun intended!!!!)

by Klaus Kinski

So, David Cross (see what he liked in 2007) has a part in the recently released CGI/live action family movie Alvin and the Chipmunks. It didn't take long before message boards and blogs were alight with Cross fans (and people who think money grows on trees) crying 'sell out!'. Of course, this silly backlash on its own certainly didn't merit a defensive move by Cross. However, a few weeks ago, Patton Oswalt (see what he liked in 2007) published a characteristically funny and insightful myspace blog. Like most of his blogs, it was a good read and nothing within it struck me as particularly provocative, but to Cross this blog contained a stinger:

Oddly enough, both Brian Posehn and I were offered the part of Ian, the agent. We both threw the script across the room in disgust. David Cross caught it.

These three sentences, coupled with a pre-existing backlash, provoked a whopping 5-part response from Cross which sets out to not only counter Patton, but to also address the petty whining of legions of disappointed Cross fans. For me, no explanation was needed; a person needs work. And to be honest, I found his 5 part response to be a mega-invaluable resource for learning what Cross has been up to these days.

But wait.... Patton ain't done. Via the Onion AV Club, Patton unleashed a counter-letter in response to David's treatise. That same day, Steve Hyden at the Onion had some strong, yet not altogether off-base, words on the subject. With message boards and commenters in full throttle, it looks like the argument is far from over. Who doesn't like cyclical arguments and flogging dead horses?

-Klaus