Hollywood: Stick to Your Scripts

2008-09-22T05:58:00-04:00

I typically tune into awards shows for one reason: to see what stars are wearing. But last night I tuned into the 60th annual Emmy awards to check out the baubles, and the bias. I knew the celebrity love affair with Senator Obama and the ridicule of right would be on display. You see, as we get closer to Election Day, liberals are becoming increasingly unhinged and outspoken. They seek to embarrass and destroy anyone who has or is currently posing as a threat to Obama. Hollywood is no different. At awards shows this is how stars gain favor with their peers. Think of college hazing in better outfits.

During the show Laura Linney thanked "community organizers" in her acceptance speech, Steven Colbert compared McCain to a prune, and co-host Howie Mendel took a swipe at Sarah Palin referring to the infamous Bridge to Nowhere as hers. (Howie: Palin was offered federal funds to build the bridge when she was governor. She said no deal). During the "In Memoriam" portion of the program, the academy included an old clip of the late Tim Russert asking former Obama opponent Hillary Clinton if she had intentions to run for President, to which she responded "no" as if to subliminally say: "See America, she's a liar. We nominated the right one."

There is no question celebrities can help candidates when it comes to money. They are responsible for a colossal infusion of cash into Senator Obama's campaign, and just like any other special interest Obama will be beholden to them if he wins.

Having a celebrity endorsement can also raise a candidate's profile and garner headlines, mostly in negative ways. Just this past week Obama supporter and newly sober Lindsay Lohan took a swipe at the left's favorite punching bag, Palin. (Frankly, I liked Lohan better when she was club hopping and crashing her car into trees. At least we didn't have to listen to her talk).

What stars fail to realize is that most Americans do not identify with them. They're not "just like us" as magazines allege. In fact, quite the contrary. Most voters are struggling to pay for groceries let alone $28,500 for dinner at Barbara Streisand's house. Though Obama needs to raise campaign cash because of his decision to forgo public financing, the reports of him hobnobbing at Bab's mansion when the country was in the middle of a financial meltdown weren't exactly the best narrative for him.

Obama's strength is his ability to motivate by emotion, not reason. When stars stump for him it runs in direct contrast to his message of helping the little people and makes him a target. McCain's camp seized on his celebrity ties this summer with ad featuring Barack, Brittney Spears and Paris Hilton. To be fair I think a candidate for President invoking Paris Hilton is pathetic. It's the typical gimmick we often see out of DC creatures and though some argue it worked, I still think it made McCain look ridiculous. Celebrities have that effect.

Going forward the smartest thing the glitterati can do is keep quiet. George Clooney is staying silent about his presidential pick this time around because he believes Tinsletown's embrace of John Kerry cost him the election. He might be onto something.

We pay to hear celebs sing, watch them act, and check out their clothing. Most of us do not care to hear their political ideology. For them to assume we will somehow listen to their musings the way we listen to their movie monologues is laughable. Hollywood, if you truly want to help Mr. Obama you'll stick to your script.

Andrea Tantaros

Hollywood: Stick to Your Scripts