While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Peter Robinson ·
July 16, 2012 at 8:46am
The same day I interview Pat Sajak--that is to say, this coming Tuesday--I'll also be conducting a joint interview of two utterly improbable and completely inseparable friends, our own Rob Long, a convinced conservative, and Harry Shearer, a dedicated liberal. (An actor since he was a boy, when he appeared on Jack Benny radio show, Harry is perhaps best known for his indelible performance in "This is Spinal Tap" and for providing the voices for Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, Ned Flanders and half a dozen other characters on "The Simpsons.")
Questions for Rob and Harry?
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Apr '12
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
What does Harry think of the Simpson's movie? Did he like it?
Dec '11
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Since both are atypical for their respective groups what is it they hate about their side of the political persuasion?
What is the main thing that stops them from joining the other side, that is becoming a liberal or a conservative?
May '10
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
For Harry: Back when The Simpsons was one of the most popular shows in the country, it was also pretty even-handed politically, making fun of all sides. These days, the show is considered to be of much lower quality (sorry, gotta call 'em like I see 'em), has much lower ratings, and particularly over the last 10 years or so, has been essentially lock-step Leftie in its political outlook.
Care to opine over whether those things are related?
Dec '11
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Personally I would avoid making it into a lets pummel the liberal show.
I think something inoffensive and in good faith is in order like, "Within the context of a changing media with more media options for consumers, how do you communicate your values and beliefs without alienating half of your audience?"
Oct '10
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
For Rob Long: Where can we watch the pilot for Sullivan and Son in advance?
May '12
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Can you set the amp at 11?
That's it for now, just woke up.
Dec '11
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
For Rob, Where can I watch Sullivan and Son in a Canadian market that has Peach Tree TV but no TBS?
For Harry, to quote my new favorite singer, Brandi Carlile, "I wish that I was ten again, so be your friend again". Not a question, but rather a comment on how much easier life was when I could just be entertained by the Simposons.
May '10
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Guruforhire: Personally I would avoid making it into a lets pummel the liberal show.
I think something inoffensive and in good faith is in order like, "Within the context of a changing media with more media options for consumers, how do you communicate your values and beliefs without alienating half of your audience?" ยท 20 minutes ago
I don't mean to pummel Harry; I think he's a very smart and entertaining guy (I used to listen to his radio show regularly when I could pick it up, and the work he's done in New Orleans is thoroughly commendable), but I also think it's a reasonable point to note that the popularity (and quality) of The Simpsons has dropped pretty much in concert with its willingness to take on a very one-sided political stance. I didn't miss an episode for a good 15 years, but these days, I might watch it once in a season, if that. I'm just not interested in being insulted for 22 minutes every week.
Jun '12
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Harry is great. My question would be, especially given the comments so far, does he think the show is even handed, or liberal? I've always loved the Simpsons, and I'm willing to bet that the "slipping" that folks are referring to unfortauntely corresponds with 8 years of not great conservative values. Being ever so slightly in the business, I always ask my fellow conservatives: "if we controlled music, movies, and TV, do you think we'd steadfastly refuse to pile on Chuck S., Nancy P.,Michael M, etc etc? Or would we be a paradigm of even handedness ?
May '12
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
In light of this unfortunate, misdirected diatribe by the guy who created the most beloved libertarian themed TV series in recent memory, (which breaks my heart in ways untold) could Rob possibly explain what the heck is wrong with these Hollywood types? Are those who have achieved success--sometimes massive success-- really so unaware of their hypocrisy in decrying the economic system that enabled that success? Or is it that the love of socialism is tied to an innate desire to limit access to power and wealth to the chosen few?
Jun '12
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Rob Long is great too. My question for him is more practical: if one (gee..who?) was sitting on a small pile of feature scripts and had zero representation, what would be the best way to actually get them in front of people such as himself and the people he works for? Hey, I know this is totally self serving, but if I was sitting with him in the flagship Starbucks in Seattle with $3.67 grande latte, I'd ask the same thing! (Heck, ask Harry too...)
Edited on July 16, 2012 at 2:01pmRe: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Does Hollywood have a "leading" conservative and a "leading" liberal actor, director or producer right now, sort of an apex player that has the most influence over the politics of others in the biz? If so, who are they right now?
Jan '11
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Could Jack Benny make it in today's comedy world?
Mar '11
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Has Hollywood "Jumped The Shark"?
Jul '10
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Is there any chance of there being another Christopher Guest mockumentary with Harry and company?
May '10
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
For two successful Hollywood types is it too much to buy a razor? Besides, drinking your โ07 Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from a brown paper sack doesn't give you street cred.
(Putting away my professional parent guilt and sarcasm card back in my wallet now...)
Mar '11
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
What is it with Hollywood never portraying all but the small hypocritical segment of Christians population anywhere close to accurately? I am not advocating preachy movies however, where are the good stories that have accurate portraits of at least one decent Christian. I never see this except by Christian based organizations that care more about being preachy than telling a good story.
Based on what one sees on TV and in movies one thinks that 10% of the population is gay (verse 2%), and only a .5% are Born again Christians (verse 34%). The only conclusion one can come by from this lack of content and what content does get produced is Hollywood is dominated and controlled by people who have a strong anti-Christianity mentality.
However, this anti-Christian business model is finically not a logical or sound business practice because one is ignoring identifying with a third of your market in the U.S. yet has no problem pandering to 2% of its market. So what is it about Hollywood not caring about maximizing profit because they almost universally ignore or insult Christian?
Edited on July 16, 2012 at 3:42pmMay '12
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Does he have a favorite story of working with Jack Benny? There are a lot of them (like the time Jack Benny, as a gag, dressed up as gypsy violin player and played for Lucille Ball ... he went home, and realized he'd forgotten his keys and his wife was out ... just then a tour bus pulled up ... so he played for the tourists and made a few dollars).
Time is short, so drop this if you've bigger and better fish to fry.
May '10
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
Hollywood ceased to be interested solely in the US market decades ago. They find it very profitable to peddle their anti-American screeds overseas. The US only has 4.47% of their potential audience.
May '11
Re: While We're At It, Ask Rob Long and Harry Shearer, Too
What was Harry's favorite mocumentary role? What did he like best about it?