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Pot Calls Kettle Liberal: GMA Asks if Oscars Too Political
GMA/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 03/03/2006 5:05:24 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest

by Mark Finkelstein

March 3, 2006

What got into Good Morning America today? Each of the network shows did their mandatory pre-Oscar bit this morning. But while Today was running a bland piece on the freebies that celebrities in attendance get in gift bags, GMA's segment had a most unexpected angle, asking whether Hollywood has become too political - read 'liberal.'

Host Charlie Gibson framed it this way:

"Now we turn to the politics of the Oscars. We've talked a lot about the culture wars in America, the blue state/red state divide, the clash between more traditional moral values and more liberal points of view.

"When you look at the pictures nominated for the best film of the year, there's not much question where Hollywood stands. The five nominated films for best picture, an ensemble piece on the insidious effects of racism: "Crash." A love story between two cowboys, "Brokeback Mountain." "Good Night and Good luck" [about the McCarthy era]. The politics of terrorism in "Munich" and a character study of a famous gay writer, Capote. All five dealing in various degrees with divisive issues, political issues, and all five can be considered as having distinctly left-of-center perspectives."

Variety's Peter Bart defended the choices in this way: "These are more sophisticated pictures aimed at a dedicated filmgoer."

A skeptical Gibson: "It is not uncommon for one or two nominated films to have a political point of view. But all five?"

Bart: "It's a quirky year in the sense that you would expect some major action picture."

Gibson: "George Clooney's film "Good Night and Good Luck" tells of attempts to silence the media reporting on the excesses of McCarthyism in the 1950'S. Clooney's attempt to draw parallels to today are apparent.

"Steven spielberg's "Munich" makes the argument that in the face of terror, societies that fight violence with more violence cede the moral high ground. It focuses on the Olympics of 1972, but the [attempt to draw a] parallel to today is apparent. Now add in Jon Stewart as host. He skewers all politicians but is seen as particularly tough on President Bush. Last year the White House issued a statement in response to host Chris Rock's barbs. This year, who knows? Everyone loves the Oscars. Everyone loves movies. This year, however, the Oscars may play well in some parts in country -- not so well in others."

Wow! Give GMA an Oscar for honesty about Hollywood liberal bias. Now, if the folks at ABC would like to shoot for the golden statuette for Best Morning Show, they might consider having a look at NewsBusters 'scripts' - and do a segment on liberal bias . . . at the broadcast networks.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: abc; boycotthollywood; charlesgibson; chucklestheclown; culturewar; gma; hollyweird; hollywood; hollywoodleft; mediabias; oscars
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To: OldFriend
"I don't care to spend money on anything hollywierd."

I agree. There may be a few good movies out there, but I can't name a single one made after 1970.

21 posted on 03/03/2006 5:45:29 AM PST by norwaypinesavage
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Everyone loves the Oscars.

Then why are the ratings for the Oscars shrinking every year?

Everyone loves movies.

We used to.

22 posted on 03/03/2006 5:47:01 AM PST by silent_jonny ("... anger rests in the bosom of fools" -- Ecclesiastes 7:9)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

That's very surprising.

I think they will have their lowest viewership ratings of all time.


23 posted on 03/03/2006 5:58:51 AM PST by nuconvert ([there's a lot of bad people in the pistachio business])
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To: YaYa123
Guess I'm not a "dedicated filmgoer" since I am also not sophisticated enough to appreciate liberal trash thrown out to the masses.

A look at the educational backgrounds of these snobs shows that the majority of them are school dropouts or only highschool grads.

24 posted on 03/03/2006 6:05:55 AM PST by Carolinamom (I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves. ---Ronald Reagan)
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To: silent_jonny; governsleastgovernsbest

It really is satisfying to be getting the last laugh at liberal Hollywood's expense. They're getting all dressed up for a party no one gives a damn about. While they are celebrating movies that not only failed at the box office and repulse movie goers, they continue to alienate the very public that gives them fame. It is deliciously ironic and funny as hell.


25 posted on 03/03/2006 6:13:51 AM PST by demkicker (democrats and terrorists are familiar bedfellows)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

"These are more sophisticated pictures aimed at a dedicated filmgoer."

Well, there you have it. And I thought the reason Hollywood was doing so badly was because of the DVDs and piracy. That's what they keep telling me.

It couldn't be because vast, unwashed red America is just too plebian to appreciate the nuances of the sophisticated Hollywood leftists. Oh, no.


26 posted on 03/03/2006 6:14:44 AM PST by I still care (")
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Gee, let me see if I can frame this issue properly.

Each year a bunch of smug, condescending, elitist, arrogant, self-indulgent anti-American leftists dress up for their prom night to slap each other on their communist backs and give each other little trophies for their part in forcing the decadent, degrading, dehumanizing homosexual agenda "down the throats" of Americans.

That about it?

To even waste time typing this re: these mutants, is ridiculous.

27 posted on 03/03/2006 6:20:38 AM PST by Doc Savage (Of all these things you can be sure, only love...will endure.......................)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
GMA can't question it too much. They need to promote the Oscars don't they? Isn't it on ABC this year? I won't be watching.

I hope Hollyweird gets only the people who paid for the best pictures to watch the Oscars. They don't deserve anybody else. That would end up being half of Hollyweird and the people in the auditorium. Ratings bust regardless.
28 posted on 03/03/2006 6:22:47 AM PST by kevinm13 (The Main Stream Media is dead! Fox News Channel Rocks!)
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To: norwaypinesavage

Goodfellas.


29 posted on 03/03/2006 6:22:57 AM PST by Maceman (Fake but accurate -- and now double-sourced)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Variety's Peter Bart defended the choices in this way: "These are more sophisticated pictures aimed at a dedicated filmgoer."

Bull Zogby. This is the old lie that "people are liberal because they are just plain smarter". And I am a dedicated film viewer (even buying imported DVDs from around the world).

I read books on film criticism and history. Doesn't mean I "missed out" by not seeing any of the Oscar nominees.

Our strength is in our diversity (so the left says). So where is diversity of perspective? I guess that would be the Canadian film about bisexual sheep farmers who commit adultery.

30 posted on 03/03/2006 6:23:13 AM PST by weegee ("Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15.")
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Gibson: "George Clooney's film "Good Night and Good Luck" tells of attempts to silence the media reporting on the excesses of McCarthyism in the 1950'S. Clooney's attempt to draw parallels to today are apparent.

I'll draw you a parallel. Today the media is fabricating negative smears (including forged documents) to take down political enemies (all conservatives). That is an old Communist trick. But Looney Clooney still pretends that there were no Communists in the US either serving as Stalin's useful idiots or dedidated supporters of the Soviet Union.

31 posted on 03/03/2006 6:27:08 AM PST by weegee ("Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15.")
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Now add in Jon Stewart as host. He skewers all politicians

Did he do that when he had Kandidate Kerry on his comedy news program?

The quote I recall from Stewart about that appearance (said later on another network) was that he had his lips so far up Kerry's backside that he knew what John had for breakfast. Doesn't sound like he skewered John Kerry when he was presented with the opportunity to do so in an election year.

32 posted on 03/03/2006 6:29:24 AM PST by weegee ("Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15.")
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
G.I.G.O.

Whadya expect, wholesome quality from the trash can?

33 posted on 03/03/2006 6:30:43 AM PST by rawcatslyentist ("Why waste time learning, when ignorance is instantaneous"---Hobbes the Tiger)
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To: YaYa123

I think it is appropriate for him to label current Hollyweird product "film". Think pond scum. That icky film floating at the top.


34 posted on 03/03/2006 6:32:13 AM PST by weegee ("Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15.")
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
If I was interested in Oscars rolling around in filth and having a hand shoved up the backside while mouthing words said by someone else, I would stick to the Oscar on Sesame Street.
35 posted on 03/03/2006 6:34:22 AM PST by KarlInOhio (Next Olympics I want wide track bobsledding. Four sleds on the track at once - like Ben Hur on ice.)
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To: Doc Savage

It certainly is baffling to see them pay thousands for a night's attire, receive thousands in gift bags per guest, spend thousands (if not millions) on after parties, and then bemoan the state of the poor in this nation.

They could set up privately run and privately funded charities to give out social aid if they wanted to. It seems to me that the charaties that the left is more likely to give to (in no particular order) are animal rights, ACLU, enviromentalists, AIDS research, Breast Cancert research, and Move On.

They rather help the poor with "OPM (other people's money)". There is no charity in taxation.


36 posted on 03/03/2006 6:36:49 AM PST by weegee ("Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15.")
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To: weegee

Thats it....blame Canada!!! It was only partly shot in Canada to save on production costs like almost all hollywood pics that are shot there are. The setting and everything else is um.....all American. Ok...maybe not the director. :)


37 posted on 03/03/2006 8:00:48 AM PST by xp38
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To: xp38

By shooting in Canada they also got away from union requirements and PETA.


38 posted on 03/03/2006 8:07:08 AM PST by weegee ("Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15.")
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To: Timesink; martin_fierro; reformed_democrat; Loyalist; =Intervention=; PianoMan; GOPJ; ...
Media Schadenfreude and Media Shenanigans PING

All five dealing in various degrees with divisive issues, political issues, and all five can be considered as having distinctly left-of-center perspectives."

Sounds like any Mass Media newscast to me (day OR night).

39 posted on 03/03/2006 8:10:03 AM PST by weegee ("Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15.")
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To: weegee
"I think it is appropriate for him to label current Hollyweird product "film". Think pond scum. That icky film floating at the top."

I Like that! Especially since the Hollywood swells so delight in bragging, they "work in film".

40 posted on 03/03/2006 8:29:38 AM PST by YaYa123
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