The New McCarthyism?

Published on April 1, 2005 By Gideon MacLeish In Politics

I have noticed a trend that definitely concerns me in regards to the gulf war,opinions towards it, and American politics: As quick as the media is to attack George W. Bush, the entertainment industry reaches out to silence the most virulent among them.

While Michael Moore made great strides with his "documentary" "Fahrenheit 9/11" (which was only slightly less credible than "Spinal Tap" and "the Rutles"), Hollywood stars that have spoken out strongly against US policy in Iraq seem to have disappeared off the radar.

Now don't get me wrong; Jeneane Garafaolo is pretty low talent,she did herself in.

But as for Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, each are veteran Hollywood actors with impressive credentials. Since their infamous snub at the once planned "Bull Durham" commemoration, neither has had a major film role.

Now maybe this is a case of a cigar being a cigar. I don't know,truthfully. Maybe neither has been offered a substantial role in that time period. But it seems odd that two very talented Hollywood actors have been without film roles. Personally, I disagree with the politics that each holds. But I hope Hollywood isn't once again caving to political pressure as it did in the '50's.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Apr 01, 2005

I dont beleive it is political pressure at all. For if it was, you would hear it being screamed from the highest bully pulpits of both Hollywood and Congress.

No, it is nothing so sinister (besides, Sean Penn has a movie coming out in a month). It is simply the almight dollar pressure. People dont go to movies for a political screed. They go to be entertained. Period. Even most liberals go for that reason and that reason alone.

ParaTed2k

on Apr 01, 2005

No matter what else Susan Sarandon may accomplish in her career, she will always be "Janet" to me. ;~D

That being said, while it is true that the Dumbatic duo of holllywood polical activism notwithstanding, very few of the more outspoken against this war seem to be hurting for work. Even Ed Asner has a TV movie airing soon.

Other than that, I do agree with you, in that we both hope that an entertainer's political views aren't costing them their career. It would just be too bad if liberals had to go through the same treatment conservative entertainers have been put through for decades now.

Dr Guy

on Apr 01, 2005

Other than that, I do agree with you, in that we both hope that an entertainer's political views aren't costing them their career. It would just be too bad if liberals had to go through the same treatment conservative entertainers have been put through for decades now.

Tsk, Tsk Ted. That is not the same. One is liberals, the other is conservatives. See the difference?

Moderateman

on Apr 01, 2005

maybe susan could do a remake of the witches of eastwick, she can be satan and she can have 3 male costars, robbins, penn and glover, call the movie, the bitches of eastwick

bakerstreet

on Apr 02, 2005

No one wants to see a withered Susan Sarandon being nailed on the kitchen table a'la Bull Durham anymore. Those days have passed. Most of the most outspoken 'meatheads' were on the decline for unrelated reasons anyway.

Although, maybe you've stumbled onto an unrelated rule. If you make yourself an opinionated prat and thumb your nose at the people who buy tickets to your movies, they tend to distance themselves from you.

Read what you like into the situation, but when they stand behind a podium or drone on to Babwa and say things like "Conservatives are idiots", "Who the hell are these people who voted for Bush", etc., they aren't smacking Bush in the face, they are turning off the majority of the voters in the last election.

Is it good to insult your audience? Especially in a dog-eat-dog industry where if something sags an extra inch your phone stops ringing? Nope. I don't call that McCarthyism, I call it bad press of one's own making.

Dr Guy

on Apr 03, 2005

Is it good to insult your audience? Especially in a dog-eat-dog industry where if something sags an extra inch your phone stops ringing? Nope. I don't call that McCarthyism, I call it bad press of one's own making.

Just another way of saying 'biting the hand that feeds you'.

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