The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
If you Google the words “lots and lots of Hollywood Republicans,” you get about 700,000 hits, which just goes to show you that the internet is really just one big swamp of wishful thinking, political and pornographic.
About every four years, Republican fund-raisers and strategists lose contact with reality and declare “impressive inroads” in the Hollywood community. “A lot of Hollywood stars and industry professionals are really supportive of the Republican agenda,” some glassy-eyed Republican mouthpiece will declare, with Moonie-like cheerfulness. “I’ve gotten a lot of phone calls from some major names in the business,” some deluded Republican fantasist will chirp to some lazy, gullible reporter, “and let me tell you, they’re interested in knowing just what this party is all about!”
It’s a bit like poor Robert MacFarlane, all those years ago during the Reagan Administration, who arrived in Tehran on a secret mission to make “impressive inroads” with “Iranian moderates,” clutching a bible and a cake in the shape of a key. Except in MacFarlane’s case, there probably were some moderates around there, somewhere. And they probably ate the cake, too, since Persians are famous for their sweet tooth and aren’t as obsessed as some of us out here in Hollywood are about sugar and carbs.
There aren’t that many of us out here, it’s true, but we really should stop complaining. After all, statistically, one out of every three Hollywood Republicans goes on to become President of the United States.
This year, the Hollywood trade paper Variety is on the case, with an excellent article by Ted Johnson. Full disclosure: Ted's a friend, and a great reporter, and he always makes sure to quote my best lines. Read the article here. Choice tidbits (in other words, my choice tidbits) below:
Democrats still enjoy a lopsided advantage when it comes trolling for Hollywood money, with the most recent figures showing that the rate of giving to Republicans is even lower than it was in the last midterm in 2006. And, warranted or not, Hollywood conservatives still express fears of speaking out, whether to avoid shouting matches at dinner parties or for fear of losing out on work.
Dreams of a level playing field anytime soon are probably just that -- dreams.
Talk of parity is nothing new, says writer-producer Rob Long, a conservative voice in the business. Hollywood Republicans have been touting seismic shifts in the biz since the GOP's Clinton-era takeover of Congress.
But, reminds Long, "It is a Democratic town. I think it becomes more Democratic when there is something to oppose.
He adds, "The rule in American politics is nobody wants to defend the party in power."
I have to admit, though: the feeling in the entertainment business is a lot different from what it was years ago, when I was just starting out. The tide may be (slowly) turning.
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Aug '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
Lot of talent and accomplishment in that picture, doubt that it will be seen again in that concentration. Doesn't get much cooler. Reagan though..............too bad he wasted so much time acting and shilling. God knows how much more we could have used him. God bless him.
May '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
You'll be tolerated as long as you're nice and squishy.
"Come now, Meathead. The tea partiers aren't all that bad, are they?"
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
In the oh-for-the-old-days vein--which, of course, is what that photo instantly stirred in yours truly--may I ask a question? When was the last time, Rob, you attended a Hollywood event at which everyone was unself-consciously wearing a dinner jacket?
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
Hmmmmm. Last time I wore a dinner jacket in Hollywood? That's a way of saying, Rob, when was the last time you were up for an award?
Let me put it this way: Clinton was president. Gingrich wasn't yet speaker. I wasn't grey at the temples.
Aug '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
Lida Rose, I'm home again, Rose
To get the sun back in the sky.
Lida Rose, I'm home again, Rose
About a thousand kisses shy.
Ding dong ding
I can hear the chapel bell chime...
The resemblance to a barbershop quartet is striking, except their hankies don't match.
Jul '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
Are things pretty slow in Hollywood these days? I can't think of another reason for an editor to assign a story like this. It reminds me of photographers being sent out on a hot day for a picture of an egg frying on the sidewalk. "Well, did you ever?" people would say wonderingly.
Jun '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
Peter Robinson's piece on the future of CA in the Saturday WSJ completes the Variety piece best. The Hollywood rich and the poor will vote in Brown, the state will continue it's downward spiral. The only thing that will not change is the self absorbed Hollywood set will find obscure causes to divert their attention.
The only reason the unemployment is 12.5% is so many have moved away...
May '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
And now a new thriller from the author of The Homelanders and The Empire of Lies... it's a tale so unbelievable and heart-pounding you won't want to put it down... In a world dominated by terrorists there's only one way to turn...
Edited on Oct 24, 2010 at 8:47pmAug '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
EJHill: And now a new thriller from the author of The Homelanders and The Empire of Lies... it's a tale so unbelievable and heart-pounding you won't want to put it down... In a world dominated by terrorists there's only one way to turn... · Oct 24 at 8:40pm
Edited on Oct 24 at 08:47 pm
You are spoiling us, EJ.
Aug '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
Rob Long
There aren’t that many of us out here, it’s true, but we really should stop complaining. After all, statistically, one out of every three Hollywood Republicans goes on to become President of the United States.
Very funny - in the "sad but kinda true" category. Made me snort Cheerios through my nose at the breakfast table.
Jul '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
Hollywood Republican, eh? I feel like I am in Claire's universe, searching for a moderate Muslim.
May '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
This stuff is our own fault. If conservatives invested in media the way the Left does, we'd have influence. Now that the traditional channels of distribution have pretty much collapsed, there is a great opportunity.
Unfortunately, almost every "conservative movie" that is put out tends to be lousy. My wife and I watched "Fireproof" because everyone was talking about the harbinger of a new era, blah blah. Our generous reaction was "Not as bad as most Christian movies".
Look at Orson Bean's Mail For Mikey, an excellent book that Christian bookstores won't stock because it has bad language in it. Duh- how do you describe a foul-mouthed drunk realistically without any cussing?
I am waiting for a great director to film an Andrew Klavan action novel. It will have to be rated a hard "R", and will be a positive reinforcement of tradtional American values, marriage, family, and religion.
When we can do that and make it an economic success, conservatives will have a chance to make a mark from the Texas or Idaho right-leaning studios. If anyone wants to set up a NotHollywood mutual fund, I'm in.
Aug '10
Re: The Hollywood Republican: Catch a Fleeting Glimpse
What Duane said.