It’s a common complaint among the right wing that Hollywood has a liberal agenda, what with actors and directors always supporting Democrats come election season, and too many shows with sympathetic gay characters, and not enough story lines where families go to church, blah blah blah. It’s the sort of thing I always dismissed with a wanking motion because it’s just television. Can’t I just sit on my couch and shut off my brain without viewing everything through a political lens?
The answer to that question is apparently “no,” because a new book by Ben Shapiro called Primetime Propaganda features several interviews where TV executives and writers admit to discriminating against and belittling conservatives. Shapiro is releasing a series of “Hard Copy”-like YouTube videos (see below) containing snippets of the interviews to drum up publicity for the book — videos that will cause the sort of left-versus-right flare-up that makes it a pain in the ass to live in the middle. Let the facepalms begin:
[One video shows Vin] Di Bona, who created America’s Funniest Home Videos, becoming remarkably blunt about his approval of a lack of political diversity in Hollywood. When Shapiro asks what he thinks of conservative critics who say everyone in Hollywood is liberal, Di Bona responds: “I think it’s probably accurate, and I’m happy about it.” [...]
The late Bruce Paltrow knew that [Dwight] Schultz was a fan of President Ronald Reagan. When Schultz showed up to audition for St. Elsewhere, a show Paltrow produced, to read for the part of Fiscus, Paltrow told him: “There’s not going to be a Reagan asshole on this show!” The part went to Howie Mandel. [THR]
Anyway, without defending these liberal morons too much, reasonable human beings will recognize that a lot of the stories come from shows that were made twenty or thirty years ago, and that a lot of the execs are merely admitting the existence of a bias that pretty clearly exists. It’s roughly equivalent to interviewing a bunch of black dudes and then writing a book called Black Men Admit They Love Women with Big Asses.
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New rule: Everyone in Hollywood has to shut up all the time forever about politics, and everyone in Washington has to do the same with entertainment.
America = fixed.
Blue Bloods was renewed, conservatives. You can have another season of your Reagans.
::pats head::
Why can’t we just go back to making shows that belittle other countries? SUCK IT, MEPOS!
That story about Paltrow not hiring someone because they supported Reagan is fucked up, but hey whatever, the A-Team was a way better show than St. Elsewhere.
The worst part of that story is that Paltrow’s decision made Howie Mandel a “star”.
It’s because conservatives are stupid, ignorant, and stubborn. No one is trying to steal America from you, because no one gives a flying fuck about you. Not even a walking fuck. Maybe a sleeping fuck, but that’s only because it’s funny when you wake up sore and crying while wondering what the fuck happened.
And that fucker?
Yup, you guessed it. America, bitch.
Can I add another rule? Anyone who’s knowledge of anything remotely political comes solely from Fox News, MSNBC, Slate, Huff Po, Breitbart, et al, must also shut the fuck up period.
Sadly Matt, there’s only about 50 or reasonable human beings in America as evidenced by the success of reality TV.
“We need conservatives that can accept gays, and then we need hippies that can shave and bathe.”
-Patton Oswalt
NO NOT VINCE DI BONA!!
So THAT’S why whenever I hear the AFV theme song “America, America: this is yoooooooou” my mind immediately pictures a white man getting whacked in the dick with a whiffle ball bat. We’re through the looking glass here, people.
Fox had a pilot for a reality series called Fuck People Get Oil, but the liberal Hollywood execs didn’t approve.
It was scheduled to appear directly after, “Help, I’m a Republican Celebrity Who Hates Blacks, Get Me Out Of Africa” <— fun fact, the celebrities thought it was Africa, but it was actually New Orleans.
I’d like to hear more about this Big Asses book
This is schocking news! Who knew that all the fucks in hollywood tthat drive hybrids and love france have a liberal agenda! get fucked hollywood.
Wow, some of these comments are priceless. :) I’m laughing on the outside here. Coworkers are going to think I lost the one remaining thread of sanity and will start a murderthon.
Fortunately for them, I’m lazy.
As a Republican, I’m shocked and angered.
But I’m also a pervert so I’m aroused.
It’s a weird combination.
Hollywood has been brainwashing us for years – its why America is so liberal today. I mean, we’re practically France.
I can’t believe that guy who’s a liberal doesn’t want conservatives around. Shocking.
thecursor is…Idaho Senator Larry Craig.
On FOX this fall.
No, no, no, no.
Larry Craig was a closeted gay conservative.
I simply believe in a small Federal government, the second amendment, a strong economy, social programs that are targeted towards building a self reliant society and filthy, nasty, sweaty group sex with teenage girls wearing skimpy outfits.
Totally different.
So are we gonna hear more about this “big asses” book or not?
Who let out the secret that us black guys like big asses!?!?! DAMMIT! Now that white people know we have to come out with something else.
I got it. [i.imgur.com]
Breaking News:
Governer of Ohio admits residents of Ohio are mentally challenged.
@ cursor: and that’s something we can all get behind.
@donglover & La Schmoove: this month’s issue of “Gigantic Asses” just isn’t getting it done for you guys either, huh?
I can’t believe that guy who’s a liberal doesn’t want conservatives around. Shocking.
I know, I know. Where’s the fainting couch?
I hope no one ever shows us that Rush Limbaugh or Roger Ailes tend not to hire liberals for their programs as well. I don’t know if my poor heart could handle the shock.
That said, the ominous footage of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” as that kid got the goods with Vince Di Bona — THE Vince Di Bona! — was priceless.
It would’ve been better with some sad Ken Burns style narration. “Sadly, due to the gross discrimination of this monster Vince Di Bona, we as a nation were robbed of seeing footage of Jack Kemp struck in the groin with a football. We may never recover.”
I can’t believe this site (among others) has not BLASTED representative Anthony WEINER for sending pics of his….
C’mon, even funnier than Barney Frank getting his boyfriend a 6-figure job and claiming ” no conflict of interest “.
By the way, if you’ve never had a chance to listen to this guy, he claims that Big Bird and Elmo are liberal plants who are intentionally turning our children gay.
[www.youtube.com]
C’mon, even funnier than Barney Frank getting his boyfriend a 6-figure job and claiming ” no conflict of interest “.
Was it funnier than you holding up Republicans John Ensign and Mark Foley as evidence of Democrats involved in sex scandals? Because that was fucking hilarious.
I’m guessing this blog hasn’t covered the Weiner scandal because it’s, you know, a blog about television.
One real problem with Hollywood’s leftist nature is that it sometimes hurts the product. If everytime there is a crime/war/terrorist attack the bad guy is really a corporation/defense contractor/rich guy, rather that the person the audience initially suspecst b/c in. The real world such crazy conspiracies are uncommon at best the shows/movies become trite and predictable. Forcing a message damages the credibility and enjoyment of the show.
@Tacos
That’s actually an interesting point, but the message may not even be one that the writer/producer of the show is consciously sending out. When people write a villain, they want to project villainous qualities, and so they use their ideas of what a villain is (corrupt businessman, etc.). It may not be that they’re promoting an agenda so much as giving viewers a peek of what’s in their psyche and what their beliefs are.
For example, think about how a character who is a male ‘player’ is portrayed in shows. In a comedy geared towards (and most likely written by) men in the 18-49 age range, this character is possibly/probably comic relief and/or possesses redeeming qualities. In a comedy written for/by women, this character is a monster who emotionally abuses women and must be redeemed by the main character or be punished for his crimes. It’s all about perspective, and not necessarily a deliberate ‘message’. Another thing to take into account is that Hollywood doesn’t want to surprise the viewer too much, because that’s frightening and focus groups can’t handle that, so it’s possible that corrupt businessmen both reflect fears of the audience/producers and are a sort of creature comfort, even if they aren’t that common (at least in the conspiracy variety) in real life.
/English major coming in handy on the internet
But I’m sure that topic will be swept away by “LIBERAL PROPAGANDA NEED MORE CONSERVATIVES ON TV” nonsense, so… yeah. PoFlaWa commence!
Conservatives are to joyless to appreciate anything on TV. Even if it does have a conservative slant. Because they’re one dimensional by nature
It is interesting that conservatives believe an individual should be able to do whatever they want with their business … unless it’s in the entertainment industry.
Here’s another bombshell from this guy’s book, from that THR link.
MASH had a pacifist agenda, says co-creator and director Gene Reynolds. “We wanted to point out the wastefulness of war,” he says in the book.
MASH had a pacifist agenda?! Golly, I never noticed, what with Alan Fucking Alda giving speeches about how war was bad every single episode.
Well, “liberal” people tend to be more flexible with their thinking and thereby more creative. “Conservatives” tend to love being TOLD what to think, and tend therefore to be less creative. And people who tend to use words like “Liberal” and “Conservative” in every day conversation love to stand on soapboxes and yell so yes, Hollywood preaches a lot from the left. Then again, Hollywood is also a business and what is up on the screen tends to be what people have indicated they want to see. But is it an active bias, or is it just people speaking from what they know? In reality it’s probably both, and Conservatives tend to believe that if you do not think the way they want you to, then you must automatically be a “Godless Liberal”. I am generalizing somewhat, but ultimately people need to accept the fact that there are more than two ways to think.
yesterday I turned off my tv in disgust as Lisa simpson was bitching about some liberal bullshit, way to ruin the simpsons Vince Di Bona!
Chad, I think your first point is a good one vis-a-vis writers but if producers select writers with a eye to their politics (which the above supports) we are in the same place. As for the focus groups I am not certain since in the real world Blackwater or the CIA being behind a terrorist attack or a CEO of a major bank killing a street prostitute would be super surprising, though on screen it is very common.
“I hope no one ever shows us that Rush Limbaugh or Roger Ailes tend not to hire liberals for their programs as well. I don’t know if my poor heart could handle the shock.”
Yeah, because political commentators equate with Hollywood.
“Was it funnier than you holding up Republicans John Ensign and Mark Foley as evidence of Democrats involved in sex scandals?”
Yes, it was. You fucking twat.
I just googled “Ben Shipiro affirmative action” and of course he hates it.
His reasoning is that he is in college and he observes that minorities struggle in class while everyone else is doing great.
I wish I had the balls to be so publicly hypocritical.
I know Ben Shapiro’s a conservative because he only made it to the 41 second mark before making a grammatical error.
HEY UFFORD! DO YOU SEE WHAT YOU’VE DONE NOW? WHY DID YOU POST THIS? This Fucking comment section has devolved into a bunch of parachute commentators saying stuff like “Conservatives punch old ladies” or “Liberals eat babies”. While the regulars don’t have enough room to drop funny, Filmdrunk style lines.
Can’t we go back to an argument that unites us as a people? An intelligent debate focused on one very important issue: Emily vs Zooey and Katy Perry vs. Christina Hendricks?
I’m a conservative and I support Emily>Zooey. Thank you.
@thecursor- Matt knows what he is doing, these political post are total clickbait.
/Libertarian – Alison Brie> Emily or Zoe
@cursor
the black dudes support hendricks
Yeah, because political commentators equate with Hollywood.
Right, they’re totally different because one is a private enterprise that makes money in the free market by offering its perspective on events in the world around us, and the other is a private enterprise that makes money in the free market by offering its perspective on events in the world around us.
Thanks for playing, genius.
I know Ben Shapiro’s a conservative because he only made it to the 41 second mark before making a grammatical error.
I know Ben Shapiro’s a conservative because he’s a self-proclaimed and self-promoting 20-something virgin who insists that there’s too much sex in pop culture.
Also, the sports jacket and the hair cut.
No way… A ton of those people getting hit in the sack with a whiffle ball bat were conservatives.
As a conservative who actually likes television and eats babies, this is shocking! I may never be able to watch TV again. Did he talk to Sorkin? Because if I find out that The West Wing was produced by a liberal I may recognize that it was written from a left-wing perspective and never be able to watch my DVDs again.
Seriously though, I’m glad a few people got in the clichés about conservatives being joyless twats who have no creative tendencies. I mean, as a conservative myself, I appreciate things things not changing, even outdated psychological evaluations.
Here’s a thought.
Hollywood pushes a liberal agenda because a majority of Americans have liberal leanings. (Check the popular vote in 4 of the past 5 presidential elections.) Hollywood is a business. Rupert Murdoch has the power to make the #1 network (18-49 demo) as conservative as his news network. He doesn’t because he worships money.
Rupert Murdoch has the power to make the #1 network (18-49 demo) as conservative as his news network. He doesn’t because he worships money.
True.
He also probably realizes that as long as Fox is pushing the envelope on sex, violence and lewd humor on network television — which has really been its mantra from the very start — then that’ll keep the moral scolds at Fox News in business too.
/reads this thread
Guh, I’ll be in the thread discussing pizza
For Perry v. Hendricks I recommend a vigorous debate twixt the candidates in The John Muir Memorial Kiddie-Pool-Filled-With KY.
@Balls Dude, don’t be gross. When chicks wrestle in stuff it has to be edible so they can lick it off each other post-game.
Katy Perry vs Christina Hendricks in Chocolate Pudding or GTFO.
Wait, black dudes support Hendricks? Because she’s curvy? But Katy Perry’s has gone on record in support of black-on-white porn! The chick craves black dick, how does that not win her the demographic?
Amazing that most of you seem to be intelligent and articulate, but still seem to willfully ignore that the shows most highly regarded and talked about on this website are the product of liberal-minded productions. [www.hollywoodreporter.com] The only show that seems out of place is Modern Family, which would infer a guilty pleasure on the part of Republicans in that it is a very liberal-themed show. Kinda like getting a blow job from some dude in an airport before going to your job on the House Ethics Committee. These shows are the product of open-minded, creative people. Showing any surprise that they’re “liberal” suggests the same kind of disconnect that the rest of the world associates with America these days.
Well that’s just an mean spirited comment High5, have you considered the possibility that Republicans hold a wide range of opinions and tastes that might not fit into a narrow mold of this or that?
Not to mention that there’s a whole galaxy of what is grouped as conservative. A great many libertarian conservatives are atheist, many religious republicans favor large social programs, anachro-capitalists believe in a totally privatized everything with no government whatsoever. while Night Watchman Conservatives believe in a non functioning Federal government that only supplies a military, some ambassadors, and a President (literally called a Night Watchman State)
That article you linked is by no means a hard and fast measuring stick of what people from both parties watch and it doesn’t at all define what kind of Republicans they interviewed. It’s just a piece of slow news day tripe frankly.
Now can we PLEASE get back to the titties?
Holy generalizations, Batman!
Wow, i was absolutely shocked to see that a large percentage of creative people are liberals. Shocked. I suppose the next thing to shatter my illusions will be that there is a large percentage of homosexuals in broadway theater. Dear lord, please let THAT not be true (hugs Cats original cast album tightly…)
Let me just quote Bill Hicks, though it is a paraphrase cause I can’t remember his exact wording. Liberal, conservative, it doesn’t matter, it is just the left and right hands of the same demon with it’s hand around our collective throat.
Who gives a fuck if Hollywood is liberal? Who gives a fuck if Wall Street is conservative? The whole divide is a manufactured conflict, made to distract you from the fact that all politicians are only out to enrich themselves and those who fund their pursuit of power. They use stupid shit like this to keep us blind to their actions. This is a TV blog, not a Drudge/DailyKos comment board. Those of you who are getting worked up over this, stop it, it is silly.
what a horrible argument, cursor. Each example you give sounds worse than the previous one. Funny how Repubs favor darwinian/survival of the fittest economics but believe in God.
And yeah, it is a TV blog, but this is a politically themed post. Plenty of other posts to comment on (regarding all the liberal-produced shows that you love). I simply enjoy discussing this particular subject with the Kool-Aid drinkers.
DUDES
Most people in hollywood are artists. Or homossexuals. You want them to be conservative?!?! WTF. Its like pointing fingers at a rodeo meeting and saying its got too many rednecks.
Let’s put it this way, Hollywood gave support to racial equality before right-wing conservatives did; Hollywood put forth the idea that woman had the same talent and potential as men before right-wing conservatives did; and Hollywood talked about how gay people needed to be protected from the abuses of bullying way before right-wing conservatives did. Who talked about the perils of the Great Depression? Hollywood. The changing culture of youth in the 60s? Hollywood. When politicians couldn’t throw their weight behind the changing tides of making our country more just and equal, it was Hollywood that took up the cause to promote it. That’s not so much being “Liberal” but just being decent. But don’t worry, you can always watch “Birth of a Nation” if you wanna feel better about Conservative Cinema.
Uh oh…Dave started a SMUG storm…
That’s right Fuck Nuts, I got a SMUG storm brewing – bring an umbrella.
Hey High5, I’m sorry you didn’t appreciate my input, hows this? *fart noise*, was that the childish response you preferred? How about I go put on a farmer’s outfit and talk about how I don’t trust no “jew york city fags”, that fit your narrow interpretation of what makes a conservative?
This post has 63 comments, almost all of them from guys who never visit this site during the rest of the week. Jesus, Uproxxers suck.
Sheesh, people think this is all “too flamey political”?
Even for a TV blog, this is tame–and entertaining. Republicans & conservatives defending themselves and their causes, and Liberals being smug. But with swearing and tit requests.
Me, I’m voting Ralph Wiggum in 2016.
narrow? That’s rich. Let’s put this into simple terms that you can understand: Conservative literally means “averse to change or innovation”. The American health system is barbaric, yet conservatives do as the policy-shaping HMOs tell them with their anti-socialism scare tactics. Spreading democracy and “protecting” America are the reasons to invade countries whose resources are just waiting to be plundered. The rich deserve tax breaks because they “earned” their millions (!). When people like Donald Trump and Sarah Palin actually come remotely close to being a voice for your party, you should really consider whether you’re on the side of restoring America’s reputation and standing in the world, or adding to the isolation and regression of a country that’s become the boorish drunken uncle of the world party (hint: it’s the latter).
Okay, I’m out of this. Sorry if I upset you cursor, it’s just very frustrating. Shows like Community and Breaking Bad are exceptional because of their innovative style and progressive writing. These shows evolved from their ground-breaking predecessors (ie. Arrested Development, Sopranos), which evolved from other shows. If this site dealt with the formulaic, traditional fluff like 2.5 Men and How I Met Your Mother, then I would understand your position a little more (maybe). However, I feel that identifying with an anti-liberal position is hypocritical as the writers, directors, producers, etc. that provide you with the quality and innovation that you enjoy in their shows are most likely diametrically opposed to your political leanings. Think about that next time you laugh out loud at the gay dudes on Modern Family;)
Wow, High5 is a complete asshole. How are my politics to blame for Community getting a lower ratings share?