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Andrew Klavan is a novelist and screenwriter whose works includes A Shock To The System (1990), True Crime (1999), and Don’t Say A Word (2001) on which he was a co-producer. This interview he gave to the the Christian News Service (CNS) went up online today. Sure, this has long been the complaint from Hollywood Republicans. But I’ve witnessed the atmosphere out here becoming far less toxic for politically conservative or religious right or other non-liberal Industry types. On the other hand, it’s just as toxic that this guy characterizes his liberal biz counterparts as “Anti-American”. Your thoughts?
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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As a ‘practicing’ Christian in this town, I still find that to believe in Jesus is considered stupid, ignorant (yes it is different from stupid) or naive. There is a palpable disdain over that form of spirituality here. “Oh, maybe those Christians are worth selling movies to, but to BE one?”
This is why – people in this town (or Wall Street for that matter) don’t like to take things “On faith”. They want observable proof,
and track record to demonstrait future success.
By the very act of being Christian, you are advertising to the world that you approach your entire world view based “on faith”. On top of that – as a practicing Christian it is your job to convert others to take their world view “on faith”.
So, typically “logic” will beat “faith” in business. This will not change.
Then why of great one does Hollywood consistently make movies that no one wants to watch but that conform to Liberal Ideals and Anti-American sentiments. When they do occasionaly distrube or by accident make a movie that supports American Ideals or Religious Moral Values they make a ton of money. It seems to me your argumant atually supports Andrews comments if you bother to think.
matt, what basis do you have to say that Christians do everything “on faith”? Perhaps you didn’t know that Isaac Newton and Louis Pasteur, to name just two among hundreds of Christian scientists, didn’t arrive at their discoveries on the basis faith.
Perhaps you don’t know that many Christians, because the western world is filled with many who are succesful in business and in the arts, not because they make all their decisions based on what the Bible. They are regular, rational people. You should check your prejudices.
What are you talking about….Hollywood risk takers and players take a roll of the dice every time they make a movie….if that aint taking a leap of faith then what is?
Perhaps most producers are actually a little more cautious, conservative, and questioning then they would like their liberal counterparts to believe.
Christianity is capable of being lived out anywhere in the world. Hollywood is no exception. Also you may not agree with a Christian and his/her religion but you cannot deny their sound ethics for doing business vs. a snake oiled politician or movie salesman.
Are you serious. People in Hollywood take “a leap a faith” everyday. Why else would they continue to put the same tired actors and actresses in their movies even when they loose money on them? They are “hoping” the next one will be a winner.
I find that most of the exceptionally intelligent people in any town think that believing in Jesus is stupid, ignorant, or naive.
Belief in religion is inversely related to IQ. For example, people who score in the 150′s will tend to be VASTLY less religious than those who score around 100.
There’s no mystery to this. High IQ people in general tend to think religion is silly, Hollywood has a large number of high IQ people, and these high IQ people dominate the culture there; therefore, the culture considers religion silly.
Well then, Fuddlebunk, I’m making the presumption that you believe your IQ to be well above average then or that you are, in your own words, “exceptionally intelligent”.
I’d like to see the studies and read the stats to back up this proclamation regarding those with higher IQs having less faith or religion of any sort in their lives. Not a self-selected sample, which is probably what you are basing your assumptions from, but an actual sample that proves this. Or do you consider yourself a “bright” and therefore you don’t need actual proof that those who have higher intelligence are predisposed to “not needing” faith in some manner? To be honest, that’s a very stereotypical response, to characterize people of faith as less intelligent and people of “science” or “proof” as more intelligent.
And you think Hollywood is dominated by high IQ people? Where precisely are they? Hollywood may have talent, but talent and intelligence are not always a package deal. I think Hollywood may be more average than you like to believe–the whole world is getting smarter. Which means that the whole world will think for themselves and not need Hollywood to lead them into thinking religion is “silly”. They will come to conclusions on their own.
As for Hollywood and Christianity–since other religions seem far more well-tolerated–the reality is unfortunately simple: they are oil and water. The two do not mix.
This is hardly a secret among people with the ability to consistently score in the gifted or genius range on legit professional-quality IQ tests.
My judgment is based on having read a lot of books and studies on the subject, but is furthered by the fact that these studies perfectly reflect the reality I encounter in the world. For example, a few years ago I joined a number of high-IQ societies that require scoring ~150+ on acceptable legit tests. The demographics of these groups are stark: almost nobody (under 5%) actually believe in some religious story or another. Almost everyone is agnostic (i.e. they don’t claim to know the Truth for certain) and thinks it’s overwhelmingly unlikely that any of the world’s religions are actually the Truth.
As a second example: my academic background is in philosophy, and almost all professional philosophers (probably upwards of 95%) think religion is fuddy duddy nonsense. Of the ~4 dozen professional philosophers I’ve gotten to know through academia, only 1 person is religious (born into it). Professional philosophers are geniuses tasked with examining the ideas, issues, and arguments as well as humanly possible, and they almost universally think religion is unworthy of belief.
Since you apparently can’t, I googled this topic and went ahead and posted the first link to come up. Best of luck in your attempts to catch on to what’s really going on in the world.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2111174/Intelligent-people-less-likely-to-believe-in-God.html
A survey of Royal Society fellows found that only 3.3 per cent believed in God – at a time when 68.5 percent of the general UK population described themselves as believers.
A separate poll in the 90s found only seven per cent of members of the American National Academy of Sciences believed in God.
Professor Lynn said most primary school children believed in God, but as they entered adolescence – and their intelligence increased – many started to have doubts.
He told Times Higher Education magazine: “Why should fewer academics believe in God than the general population? I believe it is simply a matter of the IQ. Academics have higher IQs than the general population. Several Gallup poll studies of the general population have shown that those with higher IQs tend not to believe in God.”
Lynn was exaggerating slightly by saying religiosity is ‘simply’ a matter of IQ (for example, the actual exposure and practice at rigorous thinking that you experience in high level academia also contributes). Nonetheless, IQ is still far and away the dominant factor.
what high IQ, atheist or agnostic grand movement occured in history, creating a civilzation, expounding upon your great intellect & reasoning, above that of Christianity? in the 10s of thouands of years of man’s existence & atheism, where is this great nation? for me, you Atheists seem coddled amongst us fuddie duddies and only in Christendom… lands where Christians are statiscally dominant. Not in Islam or ….wait for it..Atheist Communist regimes.
How about this, what nation TODAY would you want to live in that is not statiscally Christian populated or influenced? And I mean, a Christian praying army came in conquered, remade the govt, then left? So what Atheist, IQ WAZOOH, land of philsophes and lyrical satyrs would you find as living proof of your vastly superior poohbah?
It’s also no secret that academia is largely anti religious as the study you point to concluded. But a basic glance at the truly brilliant individuals throughout history clearly shows a inclination to be religious among the movers and shakers in the scientific, and artistic realm. It is possible that these people were not the “smartest” of their respective eras based on the metric of an IQ test, but as any psychologist will tell you IQ is not even meant to be a measurement of intelligence, it is only a single indicator among many others. In fact if you look at people with the top 1% IQ scores, as far as contributing anything to anyone they are way below average. So why is the fact that high IQ/worthless people tend to not be brave enough to actually face the big questions in life have any bearing on what successful business men believe?
As an evangelical Christian, I am in your debt for describing your “real world.” It shows me that we have a lot of work to do.
In my experience,the two extremes attract the least intelligent people. Those who are blindly religious and closed to any other point of view and those who are blindly scientific and closed to any point of view. Both positions are limiting and reflect an inability to perceive outside of a specific cultivated point of view. Many of the most brilliant minds in history, esp. in the arts and literature, have been mystics and tied to what they deem to be higher worlds and consciouness. I am sure many scintists are atheists, but so what? Maybe their entire perception of everything is upside down. The scientific community has recalibrates itself many times as new ideas are presented. Im babbling, but the argument is silly and leaves a lot of the equation. Any person who is completely convinced of the impossibility of God, or higher consciousness is , in my opinion, limited in thei intellectual capacity, even if they know all of the theorems backwards and fore.
*makes a dozen movies per year based on comic book characters*
lol, not even close to a good excuse
and by the way, high IQ people are filled with silly thoughts themselves…many far barmier than believing in the Christian God
I agree with you to an extent, about intelligent people needing proof, logic, etc. and therefore being less drawn to religion. However there are plenty of “intelligent” people in Hollywood who pretend to be Buddhists or follow some other sort of faux-eastern religion. And of course perhaps the stupidest and least logical “religion” of them all, Scientology, has quite a large following in Hollywood as well. Also, it is possible for some people to compartmentalize their lives; having one part of their life where logic and rationality dictate and another where faith and spirituality rule. Also I question whether Hollywood is that intelligent; perhaps agents, directors, writers, and others who survive by their brains tend to be smarter, but I would suspect that the average actor has a lower IQ, people like Sean Penn or Matthew McConaghy for example. Lastly, I would add that many of the smartest actors in Hollywood tend to lean right, people like James Woods (IQ of 180), Kelsy Grammer and Mel Gibson.
Hollywood filled with high I.Q. people! Thanks for the good laugh so early in the morning.
There are plenty of people with an IQ above 150 that believe in Jesus. Please exercise some of your own limited intelligence by checking your facts.
you mention “beliefs” and then “facts” with a smarmy attitude that you are smarter than him. Beliefs, by their very being, are not “facts”. They are, uhhh here it comes, just beliefs!
Standard IQ tests top out at 150. If someone scores in the “high 150s”, it means they were tested for specialized knowledge, and the results are disputable at best. Someone with a high IQ would know that.
For the record, I have a 147 IQ, and it went up after I became a Christian.
Mr. Fuddlebunk’s comments says it all and supports the premise that Hollywood’s thinking is elitist and illogical. IQ vs morality is like comparing yogurt and the sport of crikett. You “entertainment elitists” people are totally unaware of the low level of humanity that you exist in. Asking a Liberal if they know how limited their thinking is would be like asking a fish to characterize water….”water, what water?”.
High IQ people also tend to think too much of themselves. It’s hard to convince someone who feels self-sufficient (As in intelligence, or wealth) that they aren’t complete and need someone else, i.e. God. And a faith that stresses the need to deny “self” isn’t going to be favorable to people with high IQ or lots of money. And lets face it, Hollywood is pretty self-absorbed.
I’m sorry that you’re having that experience. I’m a believer and have never been looked down upon by friends and colleagues at the studio who aren’t.
we do look down on you, but you would never know it.
No but God will.
I’ll tell you what, when I’m at work, the people who look down on my faith are usually the ones who don’t take the time to get to know me and its place in my life. Usually, they’re looking down on a “straw man” faith that they’ve set up for the sole purpose of looking down on it.
But those friends of mine in the industry who have taken the time to get to know me and my faith are usually fine with it, even if they disagree.
Amen.
the fact that someone believes in Jesus, as I do. has zero to do with being Republican or conservative. a heck of a lot of progressives and liberals believe in Jesus too, we just don’t feel as compelled to act like the moral and religious zealots who wear the Jesus banner’s on their lapels in their public life and work each day. just plain creepy and vulgar sometimes.
AMEN.
they didn’t leave all that Passion money on the table because they’re warming up to Christians and conservatives…what is Hollywood’s culture really like? follow the money…they can’t cram enough pro-gay anti-religion stuff down America’s gullet
Hollywood doesn’t make a lot of religious movies – PERIOD. But historically — there are TEN (commandments) for every Fiddler on the Roof.
As for the PRO-GAY agenda — dude — wake up. Why do you find fault with the reflection of society to suggest that being gay is actually no big thing. And if you tell me — because the bible says it is so… then tell me you don’t eat shell fish, take your neighbors as slaves etc… because the bible says all that too. Otherwise — you stew in ignorance under the guise of FAITH.
Hollywood’s depiction of EVERYONE is directly influenced by SOCIETY — not the other way around.
Gays were always MINSTRELS, PREDATORS or NOBLE SUFFERING AIDS VICTIMS — or the non-sexual confidants of chic urbane women. But never people. And mostly – they still aren’t actually people in many HOLLYWOOD CASES — but it is getting better.
WHY?
The same reason that black people aren’t still EATING WATERMELON, SLAVES — then servants AND MUSICAL DARKIES — like hollywood historically portrayed them.
FREEDOM of RELIGION also means FREEDOM from RELIGION.
False. I’ve met many principled conservatives, educated and assertive. They’re my friends here in the biz. What I think gets eye-rolled are the dimwits who spouted the Bush talking points and Republican evangelists. The tea party folks will always be mocked openly in any room where thoughtful people of any political persuasion. Also, being Christian is not a liability and they also are not necessarily conservatives. I know quite a few liberal Christians.
Wait, “The tea party folks will always be mocked openly in any room [by] thoughtful people….”? Really? Being in favor of limited government is a mockable offense? Good to know.
No, being against centrally-financed anything and then calling the cops when you get scared of bad-ass libs, or the fire department when your house is ignited by Islamic flames, or you need your trash collected, or needing a national defense budget when anything threatens the country and then saying some douchebag shit about I don’t like government is a self-mocking travesty. Idiot. You’re an idiot.
oh come on, man. any smart person will tell you that the tea party doesn’t really have anything to do with curbing limited government. Where were they while we were racking up a 600 billion in war debt ? Where were they when a trillion of their tax dollars were given away to insurance companies for Medicare Advantage. If they support limited government, why does the tea party support Arizona’s new anti-immigration law ? Why doesn’t the tea party want to cut defense spending ? Why are they protesting now when they have paid less taxes in 2009 than in any year before that ?!?
you know why ?
the tea party is about one thing…FEAR OF A BLACK MAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
It’s racism. plain and simple.
600 billion in war debt–it’s national security. Our safety is important to us.
trillion bucks to private insurers because of Medicare–not exactly familiary with that, but limited income people on Medicare/Medicaid need more assistance than CMS will provide.
Limited gov’t has nothing to do with the new anti-illegal immigration law in AZ. It’s a matter of national security, and the fact that they had to legislate to make a crime illegal is kind of depressing. Illegal immigration is a FEDERAL offense. AZ just decided that they were going to enforce the law, finally.
Less taxes? My paycheck hasn’t grown any. Has yours? Even if you’re right, with the VAT tax on the table, the healthcare tax for “cadillac plans” that my employer provides, fat taxes on salt, corn syrup, soft drinks…2010 and forward doesn’t sound like it’s going to be less taxes at all.
In any group, there will be racists. The tea party probably has them too. But, it wouldn’t matter what color the president’s skin is–it’s his policies that we disagree with. Or, if you prefer–We’re judging him on the content of his character, rather than his phenotype.
then the teaparty would have formed to stop his election.
what the tea party fears is a National Socialist govt, that runs the car companies, the banks, the hospitals, the school finances, picking the winners based on political cronyism.
It’s not that Obama is black, its that he lies, and has failed on his campaign promises, like c-span healthcare debates, no taxes for middle class, and wrong, taxes are going up, period! less taxes? really!? every state has raised their taxes, and obama has not yet implemented his… for healthcare, the VAT tax, the taxes on pick and choose penalizing corporations. National Socialsim is what the tea party is against.
Dear Liberals,
Please be advised that your Race Card account has been closed. This decision was based on your account history of excessive over-limit charges. Please destroy your card immediately as it will no longer be honored.
Sincerely,
The American People
Plainly, sir, you have never talked to a Tea Partier, or listened to them, or you wouldn’t make a comment so patently bigoted and ignorant.
If you didn’t notice fiscal conservatives’ objections to the Bush spending spree, it’s just because you weren’t paying attention. But don’t let facts get in the way of your Bush Derangement Syndrome- like the fact that Obama ghas piled up more debt in 15 months than Bush did in 8 years- or the3 fact that the useless ‘stimulus’ (hah!) spent more than the entire Iraqw war
joke – you must get your talking points from Keith Olbermann or Rachel Maddow…
Wow. You know, under where it says “Post a Comment” it requests among other things, “don’t get your facts wrong.” You’ve got one valid point (the beginnings of a runaway deficit under Bush), however, at any given Tea Party that point is brought up with almost equal irritation on their part. Your other rantings-not so much. Anti-immigration law? Nice verbiage. It’s not “anti-immigration” (what, we’re not going to allow anyone in, even those who have done it all legally?), it’s pro-enforcement. It definitely needs to be tweaked towards compassion, though. Cut defense spending? Now? Scary. And those lower taxes in ’09-in large part thanks to the Bush tax cuts, which WON’T be renewed this year. And if the VAT Tax gets an okay . . .
As to your last point: “It’s racism. Plain and simple.” Yikes. Yeah, I guess labeling what you disagree with “racism” does make your argument plain. And simple.
Doesn’t make it true, though.
If that’s what passes as thoughtful discourse, then you’ve lost me. You couldn’t be more off base. For years people such as myself have been growing more and more uncomfortable with the rate of government spending. Pundits such as Glen Beck have been beating the government spending drum well before Obama was elected.
But when Obama spent as much in his first year as Bush spent in eight, added to the growing realization that the current financial crisis is worsened by the federal debt, the damn finally broke. I don’t know if you’re old enough to remember Carter, but we protested against his policies and spending as well, and not once was I called a racist for it. For that matter, I’m pretty sure you didn’t agree with George Bush’s policies and I’m willing to go out on a limb here and say you weren’t called racist for that either.
Get off your G-Damn high horse, and quit with the racist name calling. It’s getting old, and is frankly ineffective now. We’re sick of it.
For the record, the Tea Party is about one thing: REDUCING GOVERNMENT SPENDING, pure and simple.
Sorry, I have a hard time believing that “thoughtful people of any political persuasion” will mock the tea party folks. If people are truly that thoughtful, would they not see any common ground with the tea parties?
Come on, let’s not hide under that “limited government” umbrella. The birther movement, the “government takeover of healthcare” lie, the posters of Obama as Hitler, the “Socialist” jeers…these are the things that thinking people associate with the Tea Partiers. Why? Because we see it and we hear it, day after day after day. If Libertarians want to ride the Tea Party train, they can’t just take a sip…they’re gonna have to drink the whole damn cup.
No, *thinking* people do not. Anymore than they associate the truther movement, “the blood for oil,” the posters of Bush as Hitler (not to mention the calls for and books and movies about his assassination) with the average Democrat/liberal/progressive. Unless they drank the whole damn cup.
But it’s ok when liberals have Bush as Hitler signs, complain of government takeover of everything, the “imperialist” jeers? These are the things that thinking people associate with liberals. Why? because we saw it, day after day, year after year until 2008.
And what of the numerous pictures of Bush as Hitler at any number of left wing rallies and protests? Those were thinking people of a different caliber? Come off it.
Liberals make me sick with their hypocrisy.
The Tea Partiers are mostly middle aged White Women (and men). But the majority are women.
That should be Hollywood’s target audience. Given the collapse of youth demographics. Proof Hollywood has gotten fat and stupid on huge margins and hates/fears its audience.
Yes, Tea Partiers don’t like Obama. White Men approve of Obama 35%, according to Gallup, and White Women 43%. [Tea Partiers are more likely to be small business owners or middling professionals, i.e. prime tax targets.] So what?
Its important because Hollywood puts politics (hard left Malibu Marxist politics) ahead of EVERYTHING. Traffic screenwriter Steven Gaghan can lovingly extol Communism with three Porsches in his Malibu Mansion driveway. What does that tell you?
That Ross Douhat in the NYT was right: Hollywood IS decadent — it will scream insults at Christians and roll over for Jihadist tyrants.
Your main point–that there’s a difference between true conservatism and Republicanism–is correct. But I’m not going to out myself just yet. This town has a funny way of starting rumors that twist an identity into something unrecognizable. I’ll say something like, “Individual autonomy is not the highest order of good.” Some on the left will call me a totalitarian, and some on the right will call me a communist.
The reality is this: “conservatism” has come to mean something very different in this country. Until that changes, I fear the assumptions from both sides.
i personally hope the christian right will take it DOWN from a whisper.
As a middle-class working writer, it hasn’t gotten any better from where I sit — having to pretend to laugh at Palin jokes, nod at how “racist” the Tea “Baggers” are, grit my teeth as they call people like me illiterate, racist, Nazis, etc… It’s easy for people to tell me to stand up for what I believe in and speak the truth, but the REAL truth is that in the few meetings I have let slip that I’m conservative, I have NEVER been offered the job I was up for. There was always another reason given, but I’m positive it was the politics — the meetings were all going great, then the tone of the room changed palpably the moment they realized I wasn’t on “their” team. It makes sense. I mean, they think I’m evil, racist and stupid, how could they “like” me enough to hire me? Now I just keep my mouth shut – I have bills to pay.
You guys on the Dem side have NO IDEA what it’s like. My liberal “friends” and co-workers are downright mean to, and INTOLERANT of, other points of view. It really is akin to being “in the closet” — which I find ironic because some of my gay liberal friends are the LEAST tolerant people I know — while I have supported them in every instance – even Prop 8! Hypocrisy anyone? Not to mention I can NEVER do politics on Facebook, lest a professional “friend” happen upon it.
First of all, there’s a difference between being “conservative,” and supporting Sarah Palin. I don’t feel anyone is wrong to scoff at the latter. Even conservatives should shudder at the thought of this narrow-minded, exploitative, know-nothing-about-the-world-beyond-our-borders person holding high office or exerting influence.
Secondly, Dems have NO IDEA what it’s like? What the bloody $#%$^&$ do you think we were feeling while George W. Bush ruined our economy and turned the world’s admiration and sympathy into disgust.
What a bunch of self-pittying simps. Lose one election cycle and feel like your being persecuted. Get over yourselves.
“George W. Bush ruined our economy and turned the world’s admiration and sympathy into disgust.” Really? Welcome back from your vacation under a rock. Please catch up on your reading before posting nonsense.
I don’t care for either president personally but as dumb as Bush was, he was NEVER the unrespected wanker Obama is turning out to be. Obama is clearly smarter and far more eloquent but he also is turning a once powerful nation into a joke.
Not claiming I could do better but I sure wouldn’t be signing over ONE TRILLION in taxpayer dollars as our nation-wide unemployment rate hits double-digits and those that are employed are losing their homes while the CEOs of the companies Obama bailed out are wondering where they’re gonna spend their $20M bonus. I’d take the Texan dolt over the smart guy from Chicago curious to see how much more damage he can do before we explode economically.
Dude, get a CLUE!
Get over your own self pity dude. When Bush was president all you liberals did was huddle in a common mindset and freak the F out all day about it. You didn’t have to closet your disdain. We conservatives weren’t necessarily too thrilled with Bush either, BTW. In case you didn’t realize it, he wasn’t exactly a fiscal conservative.
Now that conservatives feel equally as strongly against Obama, we aren’t even allowed the release that you had. I too have been fired for letting my beliefs be known. A producer found a receipt for a John McCain contribution on my desk. She was a big fundraiser for Obama. A week later I was let go, no explanation given. The studio just wanted, “To go in another direction.”
Nice and tolerant those liberals in power.
AWWWWWWW look at the poor little victim. Cry me a river.
Stop complaining and pull yourself up by your bootstraps – isn’t that what you people preach?
workingconservativewriter’s post is dead on. It’s as if I wrote it myself. I once spoke up about my politics and it was all people saw me as. It truly is amazing — the alleged liberal left is, in fact, the least tolerant group of people. They are all for different opinions, as long as they agree with you. If not, you are, at best ignored, and at worst, called a racist (even though most Klan members, including current Senator Robert Byrd, were Democrats). If you took some of the things said about Republicans and changed the word Republican with “gay” or “black,” you’d be shocked at what is tolerated here. I learned my lesson and I have kept my politics to myself. You’d think an industry so maligned by black listing would notice Neo-McCarthyism when it rears its ugly head. But I guess not.
Equating modern Democrats with the KKK is ridiculous since the party affiliation basically switched in the South culminating in 1964. But as a Democrat who is also a veteran and current reservist, I sometimes have to be diplomatic about my own views when I am on active duty. Oh well, that’s life.
BTW, Hollywood is completely welcoming of my military service.
You know, it’s hard to take anything you say seriously when you spout gems like “evan though most Klan members….were Democrats.” What an amazing factoid to be able to pull out of your nether regions. What research did you do to come up with it?
Sanchez… Read a book, man. The Republican Party was founded by Abraham Lincoln’s crowd right before the Civil War. Their #1 plank was getting rid of slavery (not so much because they cared about African-Americans, but because having to compete with slave labor squashed opportunity for white people. That being said, there were Republicans back then who did push for total racial equality, but they were a minority.)
That makes the pro-slavery opposition to the Republicans — wait for it — the DEMOCRATIC PARTY, which grew to become incredibly strong in the racist South. The parties have in some ways switched names on us since the Civil Rights Era. But yes, Republicans literally used to be lynched by Democratic KKK members in the South.
There was a day that education was good enough in this country that ignorant people didn’t have to demand to be cited research for things that were common knowledge.
As an intolerant Liberal, let me just say to you, IF YOU CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN! Seriously. Hollywood is for talented liberal thinkers and artists. Christians and Conservatives really don’t belong. Get ta steppin!
Your group is famously known as the largest collection of crybabies in the country so ease up on the all caps “…IF YOU CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT…” garbage. Someone said something I didn’t agree with… WAHH!! I’m suing! Someone fired me for my incompetence… WAHH!!! I’m claiming racial discrimination! Someone makes more money than me… WAHH!!! Tax THEM!
You guys are good at giving hugs. Give yourself one. You need it.
You’re being foolish. The discussion is not about whether Christians can take the heat (they won’t eventually), it’s simply pointing out the fact that there is a lot of intolerance towards them.
I wouldn’t hire you either.
I work at none other than ABC and have to agree 100%. Arrogant change-mongers think everyone they disagree with is racist, sexist or homophobic. Least tolerant business in the world.
I seriously doubt what you say. Least tolerant of what? Homophobia? Racism? Religious extremism? Rewriting the history book to suit your political views?
Well if that’s what they are “Mean” and “intolerant” about, tough shit. Andrew Klavan is a whiny little bitch and always has been. He’s doing just fine, has made a crap load of money, and I seriously doubt that his political views have impacted his job prospects, he just doesn’t know when to stop spouting off about his political views. It’s boring, no one gives a shit after the first time he’s made his point, and that’s why Klavan doesn’t get invited back to people’s homes–and yes I speak from personal experience.
J,
You say about Klavan: “… he just doesn’t know when to stop spouting off about his political views. It’s boring, no one gives a shit after the first time he’s made his point, and that’s why Klavan doesn’t get invited back to people’s homes..”
That may or may not be true about Klavan. But the irony in your statement is that you could well be speaking about the creative output of left-dominated Hollywood. Most of the consumer marketplace is tired of the same old liberal bromides and plot point cliches that pop up in movies these days. Trying something new, or at least offering a consistent alternative, would be productive from a commercial standpoint, don’t you think? And in that case, it would likely take people who think outside the liberal echo chamber that many here seem to admit is the status quo in Hollywood.
You don’t work in the business. I do. Correct me if you do. The one thing that you and all the other crybaby conservatives don’t seem to be able to understand is that the entertainment business is driven by one factor above all others; profit. We do what works.
When enough Americans stop consuming what Hollywood creates, then Hollywood will create something else. It isn’t going to happen because your claims about politically influenced creative output being the norm from Hollywood are simply false, and the bottom line proves me right.
Middle class working writer is an interesting statement. Would you be comfortable at a Tea Party Rally standing next to man from Kansas who worked in manufacturing and considered himself middle class, and say that you are a writer in Hollywood and middle class just like him.
Your issue seems to be with yourself. You have chosen to not stand up for what you believe in because of your own greed. Please understand that I am in no way trying to dismiss your experience as a conservative in this industry. Your feelings are completely relevant. But your experience might carry a little more weight if you would at least stand up for yourself.
Why is it unfair to judge you based on your beliefs?
If you believe X, and I think that to believe X is stupid, I will think you are stupid. Is that unreasonable?
Conservatives don’t get labeled illiterate, racist, or Nazis in a void. In Arizona a law was just passed allowing policemen to stop people who look suspicious (i.e. Mexican) and ask for identity papers. The Republican Oklahoma legislature today passed one of the most invasive and vile anti-abortion laws in history–including a law that protects doctors who refuse to tell pregnant women that their fetus has a birth defect. And according to a CBS News poll, one-third of Tea Partiers don’t believe Obama was born in the U.S. and more than half think “too much has been made” of racism in the U.S. (Shockingly, only 1% of Tea Partiers are African-American.) And, you know, go ahead and hand yourself an award for the fact that you were against Prop 8, but most conservatives supported it.
If you want to know why you get called these names, look at your political movement’s actions. And no liberal is required to be “tolerant” of another “point of view” if the point of view that they’re supposed to tolerate is one that would abridge their rights–and abridging the rights of gay people, women, immigrants, African-Americans, Muslims, atheists, etc. is pretty much the foundation of contemporary conservatism. If you want to know why you’re in a minority in the creative community, consider the fact that being a creative artist requires one to be genuinely imaginative, even empathetic, about other points of view. Which is where you guys fall short.
Brilliantly written, Rob. You said what I wanted to say, but much better.
No one should have to put up with close-mindedness and extremism.
oh please, any working writer in town will tell you they’ve been in meetings where everything went great in the room but the deal fell through. if you want to tell yourself it’s because of your political leanings, I guess you do what you need to do. I was always taught not to talk politics with people I don’t know very well because it’s rude, and yes, there are ways to deflect and avoid the subject. It’s odd this topic would be brought up once during a pitch or interview, let alone a few times.
And if your “gay liberal friends” are all “downright mean” and “intolerant”, why are you friends with them?
You have a point. What do your politics have to do with the ability to write or create art. After all we’re a diverse country and there should be different view points. I honestly don’t find people in Hollywood that liberal, except maybe when it comes to cheating on their wives or doing drugs. Basically, they are about as sexist and racist as it comes and they are ALL about money and status. How many times do we hear it’s a BUSINESS, not art.
I’m a Christian, moderate-to-slightly-left. I am not a Republican. But I know, work with, and like a lot of the folks Klavan hangs with.
I actually think much of what he said was pretty accurate. Except the last bit about the Left insisting they have the correct answers–that is obviously the case with the far Right as well.
I think it’s important to distinguish between “conservative” and “Christian.” They are not synonymous. That said, both conservatives and Christians in Hollywood do face a similar kind of heat to what gay folks and maybe ethnic minorities have felt in other parts of the country.
But here my key point: conservatives created this dynamic. Hollywood is a haven for gay folks, artists, musicians, creative types and those who don’t readily fit in elsewhere FOR A REASON: because those folks were essentially run out of the smaller towns they grew up in by fearful small-C conservative people who “have the correct answers.” These “different” folks found a haven in big cities and creative hubs like Hollywood. And they understandably feel defensive when those conservative people who ran them out and treated them badly come to Hollywood and demand their “fair” share.
I think it is good and healthy for conservatives (and, yes, Christians too) to know how it feels to be a minority. But don’t pretend to be oh-so-oppressed. If my project makes money, I’ll get a place at the big table. And more importantly, if my project is deep, lasting, and thoughtful (and makes money), it will be treated with reverence by Hollywood.
Well said, definitely some interesting points you bring up. Makes a lot of sense to me.
Wow–a rational, thoughtful post on a subject that brings out the screechers on both ends of the spectrum. I salute you!
Except that Hollywood expects the vast, middle class of America to buy it’s mostly gay produced stuff.
Let’s get real. Who beyond gay men and teen girls is going to watch “Glee?” Heck men and boys have fled Hollywood as gays and women have made it a big pink Gay and Female Ghetto.
Moreover, I doubt that Gays were cleansed out say, Dubuque Iowa. More like, they found it boring and lacking excitement, so rolled out West to LA, or East to NYC, or South to New Orleans.
And really, what unique insight or special ability do gays have that straight people don’t? Can a gay man EVER understand what motivates a straight man? Nope. Not in a million years. What special value does gayness bring to creating entertainment? Not a whole heckuva lot. About half the population is alienated from Hollywood the way it is from Broadway.
With margins falling, is that even sustainable? My guess is, no it isn’t.
It is not “good and healthy for Conservatives to know what it is to be a minority.” Rather, it is bad for Hollywood because it causes decadence and dissolution by a desire to punish audience proxy. And a failure to connect with the audience, which is mostly conservative.
Hollywood’s “gay values” gives us Bobby Trendy and … a defense of Roman Polanski. No wonder the latest Pew Poll had Hollywood with the approval of used car salesman.
Do you really believe what you are saying? I’m going to separate gays from women, even though you seem to believe they’re the same thing. How is most of Hollywood’s product gay? The major studios are not in the gay film business. They don’t make them.
Most of TV is gay? Really? You know, you don’t have to watch Bravo. Sure, there’s an actual gay presence as opposed to mainstream film, but the vast majority of all programming is heterosexual. Is it “gay” just that it’s not manly enough for you?
You also seem to be saying that women and gay men run TV…and so even when they do a “straight” show, it’s still “gay.” Because, according to you, gays and woman can NEVER understand straight men. So, only straight guys can write straight guys. But, there are an awful lot of straight male TV writers. Are they creating “gay” work, too?
But, here’s my big problem. You are completely ignorant and dismissive in regards to the gay reality in America. You “doubt” that gays are forced (“encouraged”) to leave their hometowns? You seem to think they choose to move to big cities merely to escape boredom and get to attend the Barney’s warehouse sale. How patronizing can you be? Large sections are America are not safe for gays and lesbians. They are made fun of, threatened, beaten and murdered…just for being themselves.
And Roman Polanski’s our fault, too? Of course, my bad. Whenever some fucked up pervy straight guy sticks his dick in a young girl…blame the gays and women. You’re such a big “man”.
One can be both Christian and liberal. Jesus was.
Jesus was a Jew. I was brought up a Christian. I learned he never converted to another religion.
I take issue with that. Jesus was not a Christian.
“Precisely. He also wasn’t American, nor was he white, nor did he have auburn hair with chestnut highlights. Fact is he was a long-haired dark-skinned Middle Eastern anti-war liberal pacifist who went around in a robe and sandals feeding the hungry, healing the sick for free, preaching peace, non-violence and the repudiation of materialism and money-changing. I believe today our GOP “Christian” friends would call him a commie, a traitor, and an illegal alien.”
Thank you.
A Follower
Hollywood has been the refuge of people fleeing Fascism, Nazism and Totalitarian regimes since the 1930′s. So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that it is more liberal, more progressive than most industries.
The idea that it is “Anti-America” or “Leftist” is disturbing to hear from someone who claims to be themselves an intellectual. The problem with the Conservatives are they have consistently sided with the Anti-Semitic, berated Non-Christians or Christians who are not fanatically religious and those who may share intellectual philosophies that differ from the Republican party platform. Which include anti-Abortion, pro-gun, pro-big business, pro-Oil companies, and anti-Union. Hollywood has made some pretty damn good movies and television with their liberal and progressive mindset. What would it have been like if Joe McCarthy ran Hollywood. Or Francisco Franco? It probably wouldn’t be the lauded institution it is today.
If you’re side is marching nuns into a pit and shooting them all in cold blood, you probably aren’t on the “good” side…so where do you get off bashing Franco for defeating Communism in Spain?
As for McCarthy, you lefties love to slam him, but he never went after Hollywood—that was the HOUSE un-American Activities Committee–McCarthy was a senator, and he was after Commies in the State Department, who, you know, had access to nuclear secrets? Duh–and he was right–DOS was honeycombed with spies.
So STFU with your cliches…it’s the LEFT that’s a totalitarian ideology.
I disagree. The movies that every other country makes are the leftist fantasies. The movies that established Hollywood are the heroic tentpoles that aren’t preachy but show good guys blowing up bad guys. And South Park. I’m sure Spain or Mexico has plenty of movies about gay cowboys eating pudding.
I have to object to this. The Nazi – national socialist party – regime killed millions of my people but if I want to hear a strong impassioned and consistent defense of Israel I have to go to “right wing” radio – to hear it from the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity or William Bennett. The anti-Israel Democrats and liberals who turn a blind eye to Israel’s enemies, say nothing when its leaders are treated with disrespect are the same ones supporting those in office now. I can not even recall a major Hollywood figure sticking up for Israel in any forum on TV, radio, blog, etc
As for is it hard for conservatives to work? You bet – there are two things you dont want to be on the West Coast if you want to work in the industry – right-leaning in your politics or over 50.
What the NAZI’s did was absolutely horrible. What is happening today around the world is equally horrible.
ISRAEL — is however separate from these things. Israel has pulled some pretty shaddy shit too — just like EVERY NATION has — that doesn’t mean you can turn around and use the NAZI card to ignore their faults.
by the way – I’m not religious – but have a jewish grandmother and a huge portion of my relatives from that era were killed by Nazi’s.
You know Exodus, if only Fidel Castro or even Hugo Chavez could have a crack at Hollywood, it would be even more “lauded” then it is today, right?
Mr. Klavan may or may not be right, but the sad fact is non-liberals have ceded the entertainment industry (at least publicly) to the statists some time ago. Its time to quit playing the victim.
Americans need a refuge from Hollywoodism.
If Americans wanted refuge from Hollywoodism they wouldn’t go to the movies, watch the TV shows and/or buy the DVDs if the subject matter was so offensive to them. Assuming that the majority thinks like you then no one in Hollywood would be making any money. No one is forcing Hollywood down anyone’s throats but people simply don’t want to take the personal accountability and/or exercise self-control by avoiding that which they find so offensive. Instead they play the victim card, speak loudly about intolerance and disdain from others and pretend they represent the majority of Americans when really who they represent are a small-minded minority who want everything they disagree with off their TVs, off the store shelves and gone from the box office because things would just be easier that way.
Also, if you’re going to walk defensively onto a set or into a meeting assuming the worst in people then it’ll just turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. The only time someone would be bothered by another’s politics or religion, be it liberal or conservative, is if you’re using it to judge or, even worse, trying to convert others. The entertainment industry may be casual but it’s still a workplace and what wouldn’t be tolerated at a Fortune 500 company isn’t going to be tolerated here either. Talent is talent and the only way to F it up would be by acting like an A-hole and there are plenty of liberal atheists who have done it too, which is why they’re not getting anywhere fast either.
*dreampaint*: Best comment on this thread. Should be sufficient to end this whole wrongheaded political canoodling on both ends of the aisle (Re: religion in Hollywood), but alas…
Do you seriously think just because people watch or buy the crap that is produced by the entertainment industry, that somehow vindicates the quality of what is being produced? Millions of people buy Miley Cyrus albums, does that mean she’s a genius? Or could it be that when your choice is crap or crap, you’re gonna choose crap every time?
When the leftist political agenda is spread on heavy in movies like “Lions For Lambs” or “Redacted,” the “small minded minority” stayed away and those movies tanked at the B.O.
“Hollywood” is most definitely being “forced down” the throats of the public by virtue of the fact that there is no independent ALTERNATIVE. The Industry is a collusive oligopoly obsessed with celebrity –not talent. It’s void of balanced intellectual diversity and what is needed is true independent competition.
“Hollywoodism” is the mindset of people working in (or advocating on behalf of people who work in) the entertainment industry who lament “assuming the worst in people” and then refer to their consumers as “small minded.”
America NEEDS a refuge from Hollywoodism.
“It’s void of balanced intellectual diversity and what is needed is true independent competition.”
Bull honky. Lions for Lambs and XXX. The Hangover and The Royal Tenenbaums. No Country for Old Men and Nightmare on Elm Street. Dirty Dancing and Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights. Some of those are smart and some of those are dumb and some of those are both smart and dumb at different points in the films. Sounds like intellectual diversity to me.
“The Industry is a collusive oligopoly obsessed with celebrity –not talent.”
You say oligopoly like it’s a crazy, awful thing. Look at cell phone companies, airlines, breakfast cereal, almost anything. Oligopoly is one of the most common market forms, and why? Because a market can’t support a thousand different movie companies or cell phone companies or breakfast cereal manufacturers. It’s not economically feasible. And what are we colluding to exactly? To make money? To get people to watch our movies? To poison the young and turn them all in to Communist, Satanist homosexuals? Yes, yes and yes. I’ve got this gorgeous bedazzled hammer, sickle and pitchfork set that I can’t wait to poke the rumps of the youth of America with.
Second, to say “the industry” is celebrity-obsessed is ridiculous. Culture is celebrity-obsessed; we in Hollywood merely exploit it. We are not the ones watching TMZ and the Hills and reading People magazine. We simply create them and sell them.
Third, of course we’re obsessed with talent– we have about a hundred different award shows to recognize our own talent every year.
““Hollywood” is most definitely being “forced down” the throats of the public by virtue of the fact that there is no independent ALTERNATIVE.”
Read a book. Surf the internet. Watch a foreign film, even. There’s your alternatives. Are you forced to consume media? Do I have a gun to your head? Oh wait, I do.
*puts gun away*
Sorry about that. All of us in Hollywood have to have about four of these trained on the heads of people in the rest of America’s at all times.
My arms are so tired.
Exodus, you don’t seem to know much about either conservatism or history.
The Fascisti in Italy and the Nazis in Germany weren’t on the right–they were on the left. Both parties were socialist–in fact, the term “Nazi” comes from the German for National Socialist Party.
If you want hear consistent opposition to anti-Semitism and consistent defense of Israel, don’t look to a modern “liberal”. An swful lot of them seem to think the Jews should just march into the Mediterranean. Modern American conservatives are the ones who stand up for Israel, and stand agaist the surprising anti-Semitism that seems to infest the Left.
Hollywood has made some awfully tiresome movies with their “liberal and progressive” mindset. It’s gotten so you have to see a fantasy like “Lord of the Rings” to find a villain other than a big corporation or some government agency. It’s gone far beyond a cliche. Hollywood made better movies when it was less concerned with sending political messages, and more in touch with its generally anti-abortion, pro-gun, pro-oil, pro-business audience.
“The Fascisti in Italy and the Nazis in Germany weren’t on the right–they were on the left. Both parties were socialist–in fact, the term “Nazi” comes from the German for National Socialist Party”
Wow! Thanks, Professor! Now I guess we all know why the left-wing Nazis and Fascistis gloriously joined hands with the Communist Soviet Russians and fought the Allies to secure a beautiful Worker’s Paradise for the entire world!
The Fascists in Spain, Italy and Germany were not on the “Left”…more idiotic misinformation and revisionist crap from the Right wing extremists. The Fascists governments of all three nations were pro-Christian, the churches supported them, they were anti-Gay, all homosexuals were either forced to leave or they were killed, they were anti-Communist, all Socialists, Communists and Liberals were imprisoned in Concentration Camps or were summarily executed. How in the hell would a Nazi Fascist be a left-leaning Communist atheist when they embraced the church, they broke up trade Unions and they allowed private companies like Siemens and Krupps to use slave labor? Please don’t express your views if you don’t know what the hell you are talking about.
Can you provide at least one example of this supposed “anti-semitism coming from the left”? I don’t think you can…or perhaps you are thick headed subscribe to the simple-minded right-wing nut-job POV that a person who is critical of the Israel government’s foreign policy must be an anti semite.
Franco was a Fascist dictator who waged war against a democratically-elected government in Spain. He was aided by and allied with Hitler and Mussolini. He killed hundreds of thousands in his anti-Communist reign of terror. There’s a script about it circulating and when it’s made into a movie, you’ll see how liberal Hollywood portrays your hero Franco.
Franco was a freedom fighter who saved Spain from the Commies–who were murdering people by the millions. It wasn’t called the Red Terror for nothing. Get a clue.
I’m not surprised that Hollywood would make an anti-Franco movie–after all, the victims of the Commies were only Catholics.
I would say this is eaxggerated, but with a grain of truth. I know plenty of working ‘out’ conservatives. I also know some who don’t work and blame it on their politics, but a lot of non-successful writers find something other than the usual talent/luck alchemy on which to blame their non-success. It’s a tough business for anyone.
That said, I was on staff on a TV show during the last election cycle, and as you might expect, there was a lot of Obama excitement in the office. I remember thinking “if I were voting for McCain, and mentioned it at work, I would be socially ostracized.” And being socially ostracized on a TV writing staff usually does lead to getting one’s contract not picked up.
A nice, refreshingly candid post, Mike. Much appreciated. So here’s my question: Would an outspoken “anti-Obaman” be ostracized in the same writer’s room TODAY, sixteen months after the last election cycle, more quickly than an equally loud-mouthed writer with a Hope-pin on his lapel? Cuz I’m guessing that he WOULD.
While I lay no claim to being in the BIZ, I will tell you that as an avid fan of and consumer of hollywood product, I do grow increasingly tired of being force fed the ever growing standard liberal agenda of America hating, radical gay in your face montra.
It is common knowledge by anyone who even casually views TV or movies that there is a ever growing and OVERT attempt to push the lberal agenda on the flyover region of the US…which is 95% of the country by the way. I have always found it highly stupid that many in Lala land would be so clueless as to alienate well over half of the population who buy their product such as Penn, Baldwin, Seranden, Robbins, Julia Roberts etc.
Loved it when Mel Gibson made $600M and kept it all himself! When will you limo liberals ever learn. Shut up and act…your like your hero Obama. You do best with a tightly crafted script or teleprompter. Get over yourselves…
Yep, why can’t those gays stop hating America??? Thanks for clarifying that being gay means being anti-american.
I seriously doubt if that wretched, miserable, anti-Semite Mel is going to have a lot of that $600 million or so any more.
Half of that is going to Robin under Cali’s community property law & I have no doubt he’s got to pay the Russian chick a big settlement & child support to keep her mouth shut!
While there won’t be any tag days for him, he’s not going to make the Forbes 400 either!
Stop looking at America as a big game of Us VS Them. Put away your scorecard. We’re all in this together and this stupid partisan sniping and hatred is going to drag us as a society right down the shitter.
You’re a “conservative.” I’m a “liberal.” We’re both Americans.
I’m okay with that. Can you be?
I’m okay with that. But I’m not sure my president is. He’s waaay more partisan than the previous president. (I can safely say that because I’m neither conservative nor liberal.)
Touche. If only more people thought this way.
So more movies like “An American Carol”, and less movies like that anti-American and anti-corporation “Avatar” will lead to box office success, huh?
Look, Hollywood is trying to make money. That’s the goal. Which is why after Passion—which came out in January 2004–there were several attempts to follow up with similar Christian-themed films (foremost among them being The Nativity Story). In fact, they’ve kept trying, with the most recent example being The Book of Eli. It hasn’t really worked—they haven’t been flops, but not big successes either.
And its mantra, not montra.
CONSUMER – I will not claim to know you or your story – but I also don’t need to understand a great deal of what you stand for in your post. You use cliched terms like “radical homo agenda” & “limo liberals” just as freely as you throw around “anti-american.” The problem is any oversimplification of anyone “like TRAILER TRASH, FLY-OVER STATE, etc.” diminishes the whole without acknowledging the merit — which is just too easy, too lazy and for lack of a less accurate word – dumb.
Dissent is AMERICAN — and to question our leaders, our country and our decisions is as AMERICAN as one can get. If you believe that a person who questions why we are at war is ANTI-AMERICAN then you are not rational or objective. Ultimately you can disagree with them – but to deny that anyone has the right to question — this is exactly what AMERICANS are supposed to do.
Keep your arguments to the points of merit and stop being a talk point pusher. There is no new or illuminating information in your post. You try to make an issue of Obama using a teleprompter – but you have no issue with Bush not being able to be articulate when he has the same crutch. Look up Bush in France in 2008 — being spoon fed not only his speech via earbud — but the answers to the entire Q&A session. The frequency was picked up by every major news organization there. But aside from that — who cares if a president uses a TP to give a speech. I don’t want my president to have so much time in the day that they can memorize a speech.
ALSO — historically — Hollywood is very happy to support America — look at all of the movies that were cranked out by Hollywood to support AMERICAN WAR BOND efforts and such. That stopped around Vietnam — and history shows us why. Also — September 12, 2001 — Hollywood overwhelmingly stood behind our government and did so – until it became apparent that we were lead into a war for reasons that were ethically questionable and possibly illegal.
And in terms of the 95% of the nation — Go back in history and create a series of layover maps — color them RED & BLUE — see what states where FOR SLAVERY and which AGAINST, which states where FOR SEGREGATION and which AGAINST, which were FOR DISCRIMINATION OF GAYS and which were AGAINST. You’ll see the pattern is repeating itself. And it looks very much like the more progressive states will drag the rest of the country into future — as it has historically.
Now that is just a prediction based on historical record.
And for the record – if you go back think the more progressive elements of our nation where wrong to drag the country forward on any of those points – then I will acknowledge you have the right to believe this – but there is nothing more to say.
And yet…you keep buying the product. No one is putting a gun to your head to pay for it. People put their ideas and beliefs into a piece of work this is true if you’re conservative, liberal, nazi, germaphobe, etc…Seriously stop acting like the victim here when YOU decide what you’re going to view.
See, this is more the kind of stupid commentary I was expecting.
Nobody is trying to “force feed” Americans anything. They eat it up just fine on their own. What is the average number of hours of television watched every day by Americans? Eight? Obviously they like what they are getting from Hollywood, or they wouldn’t be gobbling it up, and the same goes for you. Stop complaining, just stop watching. This shit that you’re complaining about is simply a figment of your imagination, Hollywood exists for one reason only, to make money. There is no agenda, no grand plan, other than making product that people in this country consume, and that we have done very, very well with.
get real, studios have to keep jacking up ticket prices to top those records, asses in seats has never been lower
ask the networks how much they would LOVE to have young men watching again…but guess what, they walked away in droves and now mainly do other stuff while middle-aged women watch CSI and hospital shows
We are making good money making entertainment product for Americans and people around the globe. Is there competition from other media? Sure. And guess who is making that stuff. Pretty much the same people. You claim that people aren’t consuming what Hollywood makes because it is leftist, or gay, or whatever fantasy you can come up with. But they are. And you’re still waiting.
95% of the land mass, 1% of the cultural awareness. Give it a rest.
Mel Gibson keeping $600 million to himself is Christian? What would Jesus do indeed.
And how is a radical gay agenda in your face? How many gay characters are there on TV compared to the population? (Not even close.) How many movies has Hollywood made with $100 million plus budgets starring a gay character? No one is shoving anything in anyone’s face.
And America-hating? You mean, like The Hurt Locker, which showed the struggles of America’s soldiers in Iraq while barely showing us life for Iraqis and won best picture as voted upon by the same liberals you hate so much yet consider yourself an “avid fan” of their work.
The population of California, and the East Coast, is far more the 5% of the country. The vast majority of people live in cities, and the majority of the country voted for Obama.
Get over yourself indeed.
True or False.
Conservatives whine a lot about how they are treated?
True.
Being a good Christian is not based on having a big ego. Yet, with Christian conservatives one often finds the opposite. The self absorption is amazing.
The only real power in this Town is MONEY. No one really cares if you’re left or right, conservative or liberal, atheist or christian. If you can make “them” money you’re golden.
The only exception to this are the scientologist, everybody fears them.
Andrew’s on a publicity tour; he has nothing new to say. I am religious/progressive and I have found that religion is usually toned down on films and TV shows I have worked on in order to avoid alienating or offending people who are religious — but who might be of a different religion than the protagonist. The logic used is the same employed for avoiding brand names so as not to offend potential advertisers. It’s about maximizing audience and profit, period. I have no personal criticism of Klavan as a writer/entertainer, but his projects have been box office disappointments, despite the participation of top ranked talent such as Clint Eastwood and Michael Douglas. Yes, the arts and entertainment world attracts lots of liberals. The petroleum and coal mining industries attract a lot of conservatives. Can’t Klavan figure out why?
the “right” leaning folks in hollywood are the most overly sensitive bunch of crybabies i have ever seen. and in hollyood, that is saying a lot. they should spend less time whining about a need for pro-”right” affirmative action and spend more time creating original ideas. doesnt sound like this guy has been writing any masterpieces. if the work is good, who cares your beliefs. that’s how hollywood is.
I can’t really speak to the religious aspects of conservative Hollywood. I’ve know some “born-again” folks who’ve done very well for themselves, but I’m assuming as they’ve risen that they keep that side of their lives private. As a long time “fiscal conservative” and successful member in the “industry,” those close to me know I’m a FiCon, but I’m not public about it as there is a deep double standard in “town” with regard to being able to freely express myself without serious repercussions. If I want to state the most outrageous far left demagoguery as factual proclamations I would be safely met with approving head-nods and vocal support all over town. I know this because it happens practically daily; however to express “my” true views, I must carefully disassemble the frequently regurgitated liberal allegory of convenience with slow and patient reasoning – so slow as to introduce the contrarian logic and view point without revealing myself as not one of the lib tribe. I take care to choose whom I’m going to take the time and effort to do this with. Also, I suppose it works in my favor that liberals stereotype conservatives as being phobic and closed minded as I am neither of these things and therefore my points arrive san the normal Pavlovian artifice of liberal defense – the absolute dismissal of the messenger and therefore the message.
It’s a slow process – but it’s worth it.
secret meetings, hushed voices?
A sly wink, a down-low nod…a wide stance.
Conservatives really do a good job at being in the closet.
You think it’s tough being a Conservative, Christian or Republican, try being a liberal atheist. We get shit on from coast-to-coast by almost everyone for no real (see: informed or intelligent) reason.
All of this nonsense is a myth. Just like the myth that Rupert Murdoch uses his power for conservative causes. The show that makes Murdoch the most money is also one with the diversity of a gay-pride parade (American Idol). Murdoch likes money, that’s it. If he thinks he can make more money catering to conservatives he’ll do it (FOX News). If he thinks he can make more money catering to liberals he’ll do that too (Simpsons, MacFarlane lineup, Idol, Glee). It’s the same with the rest of Hollywood. Don’t mistake the views of writers & actors for the views of millionaire execs in suits.
I’ve somehow managed gainful employ in this business without my politics ever once being a topic of discussion.
That’s just how it is sometimes. No worries, it’ll all be ok. Democrats in the South face the same problem. It’s been going on a for a long time now all over the world in fact. Keep working and don’t concern yourself so much with it, it’ll work itself out.
Hollywood is reeeally tolerant of conservatives. Yeah? Wish Ron Silver were alive, so you could ask him.
Of course Hollywood conservatives have to hide their beliefs. Their livelihoods depend on it. Hollywood liberals, far from being the open-minded gentlehearts they consider themselves to be, are actually some of the least tolerant people on the planet. They are typically elitists who think highly of themselves; they find someone who thinks differently than they do, and immediately look down on them. They are insecure (as creative people can be) and so prefer to be around those who do not challenge them.
Besides, people generally like to be around those like them: it could just as hard for a liberal to make it in the Texas oil business.
But I do love Tea’s response above. So typical. Yes, tens of thousands of Tea Partiers, rightly concerned about the crushing debt this country is building, and how that debt is going to affect the future of the country, and the lives of their children, and the growth of government in our lives, and these multitudes are dismissed as unthoughtful. That is the liberal mindset in a nutshell. Well done!
Sorry, “someone who thinks differently than they do” should read “someone who thinks differently from them.”
It should just read “someone who thinks differently”. Don’t need to qualify: it’s implied. For someone who panty-twists about meanings and presumably thinks they’re a writer, you’ve got some work wants doing. Best stay anonymous for a while.
Well, the folks who run Hollywood may be incorrigible liberals, but they manage to turn out tame, middle-of-the road product afraid of offending or alienating virtually any segment of the population.
And for such a “progressive” community Hollywood sure has a lot of regressive attitudes when it comes to gender and race and sexuality.
If you’re a female star, good luck getting cast as the lead in a thriller (or God forbid, action) movie. You won’t. No one will cast you in that kind of movie unless your initials are AJ. See, when movies like “Aeon Flux” or “Whiteout” bomb, the ultra liberal Hollywood community assumes no one went to see those movies because audiences don’t want to see women in roles like that (not because they’re shitty movies). But when “Repo Men” bombs, you won’t hear anyone blaming that on the movie having male leads.
Name one openly gay movie star (not TV star, MOVIE star).
Tell me why Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts didn’t have a love scene in “Pelican Brief.”
Great, congratulations on “Brokeback Mountain,” Hollywood, finally a gay love story….about twenty years late.
Honestly, this list could go on and on…ultimately, sure, most of Hollywood is liberal, so what? I think conservatives would for the most be happy with the regressive and tame product it continually churns out…
Klavan sacrifices any claim to seriousness or intellectual honesty when he characterizes liberals/progressives as “anti-American.” America is not the sum total of, for instance, Bush and Cheney’s foreign policy decisions from 2001 to 2009. A liberal filmmaker who makes a movie critical of the Iraq War or torture is a hell of a lot more “pro-American” than people who blindly support decisions, acts, and policies that have been disastrous for America.
Finke mischaracterized a Klavan statement. Klaven did not call liberals anti-American.