There are some rare moments when Hollowood actually instructs instead of just entertains.

A recent article written by Dennis McDougal headlined when Mavens speak: Celebrities insert both feet in the New York Times is instructive of how to conduct damage control.

The lessons drawn can just be applied as effectively to Asian politicians and businessmen as they have been for the likes of Mel Gibson, Eddie Murphy and Hugh Grant who have misbahaved themselves in public. Why
Because, like the misbehaving celebrities, Asian politicians and businesses are often full of themselves. “In addition to their own hubris, they frequently surround themselves with sycophants.” How man politicos do you know, for instance, that answer to that description?

One point McDougall makes in his article is noteworthy. No matter how famous you are when you’re in a situation that calls for damage control it is time to take responsibility, do the right thing and seek professional help, and from a publicist rather than a lawyer.

Mr. Levin of TMZ.com, a lawyer as well as a veteran broadcast journalist, said he gave Mr. Gibson’s publicist Alan Nierob, of the venerable Hollywood firm Rogers & Cowan, high marks for his efforts to get the actor to stand up and take responsibility. “The days when publicists could simply will something away are gone forever,” Mr. Levin said. “This stuff doesn’t disappear. It must be managed.”

The cost of a good publicist is comparable to that of a lawyer — a retainer followed by billable hours, said Michael Sitrick, whose 50-person Los Angeles firm manages up to 250 clients and their crises annually. His client list has included the talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, the rock performer Tommy Lee, and the actress Kim Basinger.

“It’s very much like hiring a lawyer,” he said. “You’ve got degrees of crisis and degrees of expertise, and unfortunately most people can’t tell the difference.”