As I pointed out on the Drudge-sourced thread on this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1273974/posts
Sarandon was in this turkey?
Well, this advice may be a bit late, but what the heck ...
______________
Rules for celebrities planning to trade on their celebrity
by taking a public position on a political issue:
1. Make sure you really have some celebrity status.
2. Plan to lose half of it.
3. Don't be surprised if you have no measurable influence.
4. Don't complain later about #2 and #3.
(1) You may discover, as Rosie and Cher did during the
Kerry campaign, that you are have fewer fans than you
imagined. If you have so few, you don't want to
discover it the hard way (#2).
(2) A silent film star was known for saying
"when a politician enters the room, I leave".
No matter what position you take, and no matter what
the outcome, if some issue is close enough that you
could make a difference, that means you are going to
annoy half your fan base, if not half of the general
population.
(3) Make sure that your fans are the kind of people
who actually make a difference in the world. Just
because they show up for you doesn't mean they vote.
(4) By "taking a stand", you are saying "this is so
important, I'm willing to bet my career on it". More
precisely, it's "I'm willing to blow half my audience".
Gambler's remorse is unbecoming for an esteemed figure
such as yourself. And if your horror is the discovery
that you had inflated celebrity and inept fans to
begin with, then we really don't want to hear about it.
Very good post. Kudos on a well thought out, and painfully true essay.
Brilliant, fiery and to the point. I so needed your analysis of what is at stake for the Hollywood idiots. May the get what they deserve.
"And if your horror is the discovery
that you had inflated celebrity and inept fans to
begin with, then we really don't want to hear about it."
Sweet.
You've been to finishing school.
GREAT post...BRAVO! :-)