Tom Cruise Headlines 2008's Celeb Apologies

Celebrity Apologies More Common

If it seems we're seeing more celebrity apologies these days, it's probably because, given the speeded-up technology-filled world we live in today, we're also seeing more celebrity gaffes and missteps.

"People in the public eye are scrutinized tremendously, and every word they say is examined publicly," etiquette expert Harriette Cole told ABCNews.com. "So when someone misspeaks or says something rude or hurtful, it's critical that that person apologize.

"Given the nature of the media, once something is said or written, it exists forever," she added. "So it is very important to correct your record. And the best way to correct your record is to do so when you truly regret whatever it is what you did or said."

Related

Aniston Joins Abdul, Others in Baring All

PHOTOS: Gisele and Hugh Are All About the Environment

SNL Skit 'Attack on All Blind People'?

Here are some other celebrities who had mea culpa moments in 2008:

David Letterman

David Letterman extended the olive branch to his late night rival Jay Leno when it appeared that Leno was being pushed out of his host chair on "The Tonight Show" to be replaced by Conan O'Brien.

Letterman invited his 15-year, on-air competitor to come on his show his first free night.

"I think he'd be a great guest on [my] show," Letterman told Rolling Stone magazine. "The first night that he is out of a job, I think that would be a great situation."

The rivalry dates back to when Leno was given the nod over Letterman to be Johnny Carson's successor at NBC in 1993, leaving Letterman to set up shop at CBS.

Now that NBC has announced plans to keep Leno on the network in a new 10 p.m. show, it's unclear whether Letterman's offer still stands. If anything, it appears the rivalry continues. Leno joked during his monologue after the announcement of his new primetime show that Letterman would try to one-up him by changing his show to 9:59 p.m.

Letterman's only reference to Leno's new deal was at the beginning of his monologue that same night. "Welcome to the 'Late Show,'" he said. "Still at 11:35."

Kanye West

After Kanye West kept fans at this summer's Bonaroo music festival waiting for two hours, he was greeted with boos and bad press. He later issued a somewhat angry apology on his Web site:

"This is the most offended I've ever been ... This is the maddest I will ever be. It broke my heart that I couldn't give these fans 'Stronger' in its finest form. I'm sorry to everyone that I didn't have the ability to give the performance I wanted to. I'm sorry."

Us Weekly's Jacobs believes West's fans accepted his apology. "He was angry, he was showing a passion," he said. "No doubt about it, he was sincere, and it rings true. He's never quiet. He has an ego. I think that statement is very true to him. I think it works."