Free Republic

Immediately after President Obama took office, his Hollywood benefactors clamored for the creation of a "Secretary of Culture." Tinseltown was disappointed with the administration's crony arts czar choice (Chicago lawyer Kareem Dale), but left-wing artists and entertainers have now been mollified. Instead of one government-supported arts czar, the White House has designated an entire herd of them. On Tuesday, as part of Obama's "Winning the Future" initiative, the president designated members of the liberal activist group Creative Coalition as official "America's Champions of Change for the Arts." This is the latest in a series of "public engagement" efforts overseen by...

(CNSNews.com) - Actor and comedian Marlon Wayans said it is “tough” to make jokes about President Barack Obama because he’s “actually trying to do something good” but added that “they had a field day with Bush” and “the Sarah Palin jokes are hilarious.” Film Director Judd Apatow said he agreed with Wayans. At the recent Creative Coalition’s “Art and Soul” gala, CNSNews.com asked Wayans, “As an actor and a comedian, what do you think about the comedy shows and the jokes that have been made about President Obama? Do you think they’ve been fair? Are they too easy on him?”...

A certain amount of celebrity glow has long been a part of both political parties’ gatherings. But thanks in part to the youthful charisma of Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive nominee, the Democratic convention, which begins on Monday in Denver, is shaping up as an unlikely hot spot for the music world, with multiplatinum rappers, indie-rock scenesters, D.J.’s and Jennifer Lopez arriving by the van- and private planeload to perform, rally or schmooze with the political elite. “It’s the Sundance Film Festival for politicos,” said Laura Dawn, the cultural director of MoveOn.org, who also happens to sing with Moby... Kanye...

Dennis Hopper should be hopping mad, some Hollywood actors said this week. Hopper, who organized The Creative Coalition's Ball after the Ball Thursday night as part of the activities surrounding President Bush's inauguration, apparently got a surprise phone call from the Presidential Inaugural Committee Wednesday night - telling him not to come to his own party. "I feel terrible that the White House inaugural committee that invited Dennis decided to disinvite him," "Sopranos" actor Joe Pantoliano told reporters at the event, where the entertainment - aside from mingling with some of Tinseltown's stars - was singer Macy Gray. Hopper reportedly...

... The most talked about Democratic fund-raiser before the convention was at Radio City Music Hall, featuring Whoopi Goldberg, the comedian and former Slim-Fast pitch person. ... Linda Ronstadt stopped an innocent gig in Vegas to make a demented pitch for "Fahrenheit 9/11." Hollywood's become a town of Demophiliacs. ... Hyper-politicized Hollywood is the new bed Bill Clinton made for the Democrats, and now the party is going to have to lie in it.... Mr. Kerry has raised $47.5 million in California. Al Gore raised only $5 million. Isn't it becoming harder by the day to take the Democrats seriously...

According to a member of the artsy-fartsy Creative Coalition in Los Angeles, actor/director Rob Reiner, best known for playing "Meathead" on "All in the Family" and vetting Al Gore's speeches, is on a diet and talking about possibly running for governor in 2006. Such a candidacy might pit the Hollywood liberal against Republican muscleman Arnold Schwarzenegger. "Who know if Rob is serious, but he's got just as much political credibility as Arnold does, perhaps more," says the Creative Coalition member. Ah-nald is currently campaigning for a state proposition to better fund youth physical fitness programs. Reiner has long been an...