Hollywood award shows are notorious for allowing the liberal elite a national platform for the advancement of progressive agendas. Each year, the task traditionally falls on the most revered A-listers, only to be followed by round after round of enthusiastic applause and synchronous shouts of “Bravo!”.
The wave of Hollywood progressive liberalism is constantly at the ready, with another earmark speech aimed to generate social change, often at the expense of various private industry markets.
Before 2018’s Oscar’s, the latest ‘drop the mic’ speech was given by Oprah Winfrey in support of the #MeToo movement. Despite the egregious subject matter – the casting couch and other demeaning ‘behind the curtain’ male-dominance behavior in Hollywood – this social change movement had three fingers pointing back at the same industry so quick to point two at the so-called debaucherous capitalists and cynical conservatives.
Both liberals and progressives look to the government as the champion of social change. Some feel the answer is to throw more money at social issues, while others believe removing the privatization of systems such as education and healthcare is key to a healthy democratic state. Either way, Hollywood award shows continue to be a backdrop for political one-upmanship tactics – complete with the dramatical flair which is the hallmark of this industry.
Ahead of the Oscar’s, we were told that the Hollywood elite was going to take a break from playing politics. Host Jimmy Kimmel’s statements suggesting the nominated movies were made to upset Vice President Mike Pence determined that was a lie.
Sinking ratings indicate people really want to watch these award shows for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, not for a lesson on ethics or morals – especially from an industry ripe with indiscretions and narcissistic naysayers.
Some would even argue that the putting the spotlight on progressive issues takes it off the hard word and fine performances that entertained the nation the previous twelve months. And isn’t that what we look to the movie industry to do for us – to give the nation a momentary break from the gravity of a world filled with unfairness, civil wars, and heartbreak.
According to the NY Times, the producers of this years Oscars, aired on ABC, have issued the following statements beforehand indicating the focus will be kept on films instead of providing a political or cultural platform:
Jennifer Todd, a lead Academy Awards producer stated, “We want to make it as entertaining as possible — reverential and respectful but also fun and emotional… The Oscars should be a spectacle. Fun and funny and great performances… It should also be a giant commercial for the movie business, which we all need to keep going”
Channing Dungey, ABC president of entertainment is also in agreement – “We certainly want to honor and respect Time’s Up and allow that message to be heard, but we’re trying to make it more planned rather than spur of the moment – it has its moment and then doesn’t feel like it overshadows the films and artists being honored.”
Not surprisingly, the Oscar’s were as political as any other award show, and the ratings took a nose dive in response.
After this year’s Golden Globes ratings slipped by 5 percent, and the SAG awards tumbled 30 percent, while the Grammy’s took a 24 percent dive – it’s clear that the progressives in Hollywood simply can’t help themselves.
~ Patriotic Freedom Fighter
