Pattinson back in the spotlight

Robert Pattinson has returned to the spotlight after his girlfriend’s fling with a married film director was the talk of Tinseltown.

The 26-year-old British actor has been out of sight since learning last month of his 'Twilight' co-star Kristen Stewart’s affair.

A tabloid printed photos of the illicit encounter, breaking the hearts of 'Twilight' fans worldwide and prompting Stewart and the director to issue public apologies to their loved ones.

But Pattinson has a film to promote – so he was in New York for a round of media appearances, including a chat with Jon Stewart on 'The Daily Show' and the premiere of 'Cosmopolis', a thriller based on a Don DeLillo novel.

On the red carpet, an upbeat Pattison was not asked directly about the cheating scandal – reporters were limited on the number of questions they could ask – but he talked at one point about the movie’s steamy sex scenes.

“I feel a little uncomfortable doing that. But I mean, some of the scenes in this were like complicated acting scenes, like during a sex scene which makes it - it’s a very strange experience,” he said with a smile.

Work obligations often force celebrities out of hiding after challenging personal situations, but choosing how and where to make a comeback is often a carefully calculated move.

“There’s no one show that’s the right answer for everyone,” said veteran publicist Howard Bragman, now vice chairman of Reputation.com.

“The right answer is the one where you think you’re going to get the most respect, the fairest hearing and the best presentation – and potentially where you’ve had the best relationships in the past.”

When Pattinson chatted with Jon Stewart in 2010, the comedian invited him to return, saying: “You are making me cooler.”

Fred Willard also opted for a comic comeback recently, appearing on Jimmy Fallon’s 'Late Night' show, where he joked about his arrest for lewd conduct nine days earlier.

“For some people, it’s Oprah,” Bragman said. “For others, it’s Good Morning America.”

Pattinson is set to appear on 'Good Morning America' tomorrow.

Other celebrities eschew Hollywood’s glare completely during times of crisis.

Demi Moore avoided interviews about her directorial contributions to 'Five' when rumours simmered about then-husband Ashton Kutcher’s alleged infidelity.