Jason Killian Meath is author of the book Hollywood on the Potomac (Arcadia 2009). He recently directed and co-wrote the documentary film The Surge: The Untold Story and has created, written, directed and produced television programs appearing on The Discovery Channel, USA Networks, and ABC Family.
Jason is a long time media strategist, filmmaker and author. A Bush-Cheney communications veteran, he was member of the Maverick Media team that produced all advertising for President George W. Bush. He has written and produced hundreds of ads for political and corporate clients through eight major election cycles.
He grew up in Richmond, VA and resides with his wife and son in Washington, D.C. For more information visit: www.jasonkillianmeath.com.
Jason Killian Meath
‘So Stoned’ Director’s Health-Care Ad Selected By Obama Celeb Panel
by Jason Killian MeathA health-care ad, featuring cute little children on a playground reading lines like “I’ll be diagnosed with leukemia and I’ll die,” was winner of a nation-wide competition of ads launched by Obama’s Organizing for America. The ad was produced and directed by Eric Hurt, a former contestant on the trashy reality show “Temptation Island.” Hurt’s previous directorial work includes a short film entitled “So Stoned” about 5 drugged-out friends smoking a bong and recounting disgusting stories from their past. ”So Stoned” suddenly vanished from both Vimeo and FunnyOrDie.com after Obama consultant David Plouffe, announced Hurt’s selection..
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The ad was selected out of 1,000 entries, as part of Obama’s “Health Care Reform Video Challenge.” Ironically, instead of showcasing real people who suffer under the current health-care structure, the judges hand picked an ad that is all showbiz and zero substance. They chose to go with fake health-care horror stories read by adorable but soppy kid actors — pawns in a political high-stakes game of shocksploitation. These kids obviously don’t have dire health care problems; they just have showbiz parents who hooked them up with a gig. (more…)
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Coming Soon: ‘The Surge — The Untold Story’
by Jason Killian MeathEarlier this year, I met with Washington’s Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a non-partisan, non-profit public policy research organization, with some of the most accomplished academics in the field of military affairs. ISW wanted to produce a military history in the form of a documentary film. The purpose was to bring greater understanding of the real story behind the Surge in Iraq — the story the mainstream press often misses, or simply doesn’t have time to tell. Surprisingly, though there were a handful of good books on the Surge, there hadn’t yet been a definitive documentary film. Now, The Surge: the Untold Story is the only documentary of its kind giving audiences a look into the Surge, as told by top U.S. military commanders. Here’s the trailer:
Understanding the Surge – The Trailer from ISW on Vimeo.
The short film features never-before-seen interviews that move beyond Washington politics to tell the truth of how a failing mission was transformed into one of the most successful military operations in a generation. Audiences will watch rare interviews from high profile figures like General David Petraeus, General Raymond Odierno, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker – among many others. The documentary reveals the personalities of a new generation of U.S. military leaders and explains how they successfully implemented a counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq that brought the country back from the brink of civil war and catastrophe. (more…)
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Heather Graham: MoveOn Fembot for ObamaCare
by Jason Killian MeathHeather Graham’s latest starring role is playing “Public Option” in Obama’s health care epic (uh-oh, time to reconsider your agent). You may remember Graham as Felicity Shagwell from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me… or perhaps Roller Girl in Boogie Nights. Here, she gets physical in “Track Meet,” a new ad produced by leftist group MoveOn.org. The philosophy: if you can’t pass the public option on its’ merits in policy and debate, why not try selling it through sex and cheap laughs?
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So, what’s a nice Catholic girl from Milwaukee doing in an ad like this? Graham admits, “My friends really wanted Obama to be elected so we all did a spell and then he got elected.” Thanks for sharing. Graham is a long way from that seemingly squeaky upbringing, having joined a coven of witches. But she becomes just the latest conjurer in a string of celebrity activists pushing ObamaCare. (more…)
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When Late Night Attacks: Left Worries Obama Becoming Punchline
by Jason Killian MeathAs a candidate, Barack Obama was just as comfy on a late night couch as he was on the stump. The late night comedians and writers spared Obama from the barbs and prods they use to turn formidable politicians into laughing stocks. After all, they had their scopes set squarely on you know who… (paging Tina Fey).
A few weeks ago, a funny thing happened — call it a late night political paradigm shift. Conan O’Brien put some extra bite to his bark by featuring a tape of Sesame Street characters who earlier in the day had visited with the First Lady to talk about healthy eating. Conan overdubbed the clip and, suddenly, instead of talking about food, the muppets questioned Obama’s ‘United States birth certificate’ and his ’socialist health care agenda.’ In the past, satire like this might have been automatically assumed to be an attack on the right, but the skit ended up taking some Obama fans aback. Perhaps it struck a nerve. (more…)
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Conan to Obama: Honeymoon’s Over
by Jason Killian Meath
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The New York Times wrote during campaign 2008 that late night comics were having a hard time cracking jokes about Barack Obama. This year, President Obama was treated with kid gloves. Leno, Letterman and Conan largely stood in a cone of silence when it came to prodding the Prez. But after scandals and bumbled policy initiatives, the once-airtight Obama spin control has given way to a White House spinning out-of-control. Late Night TV finally rises to the occasion — and the honeymoon is officially over. (more…)
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Tina Fey: Downright Mean
by Jason Killian MeathTina Fey recently won an Emmy for her uncanny resemblance and venomous impersonation of Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin. In accepting her award, Fey was her typical, obloquious self saying, “Mrs. Palin is an inspiration to working mothers everywhere because she bailed on her job right before Fourth of July weekend. You are living my dream. Thank you, Mrs. Palin!”
2008 marked a departure from the memorable, more cordial years of Chevy Chase as a clumsy Gerald Ford or Dana Carvey’s hilarious H.W. Bush: “wouldn’t be prudent.” Fey was downright mean.
For her part, Palin was an easy target — a conservative woman and mother. And seemingly abhorrent to Fey and friends, Palin had small town values, a small town family and — as Fey chafed on Palin’s world view — “I can see Alaska from my house.” The impersonations were sometimes funny, but more often foul. ”I believe marriage is meant to be a sacred institution between two unwilling teenagers…,” Fey roasted during one of the skits… an innuendo on Palin’s pregnant, unwed daughter. Her satire strayed from the issues into catty, sexist territory — intellect, pregnancy, family attacks and even sexual riffs. (more…)
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Remembering Mary
by Jason Killian MeathThe music world lost a mighty voice. Mary Travers died of cancer at the age of 72. She was the female component of the folk trio Peter Paul and Mary, a group who helped provide the soundtrack to Vietnam war protests and the civil rights movements in the 1960’s. The singing group’s brand of political activism took a kinder, gentler form — and was far more effective — than the disorganized hate-speak and anger antics of many artists on stage today.
National Mall, Washington, D.C. August 1963 Peter, Paul and Mary sing the Bob Dylan song “Blowin’ in the Wind” at the civil rights March on Washington. The lyrics say, “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,” and on this day the wind carried Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic speech to the ears of the entire nation. (One of over 200 photos in “Hollywood on the Potomac“)
![PP&M[1]](http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/files/2009/09/PPM1.jpg "PP&M[1]")
Never shouty, always melodic, the group fueled crowds by inspiring a peaceful form of activism by the throngs that assembled during many of their most memorable appearances on the National Mall and elsewhere. Many of Peter, Paul and Mary’s biggest hits were penned by the granddaddy of folk, Bob Dylan, such as “Blowin in the Wind,” and “The Times They Are a Changin.” Travers had a beautiful, harmonious voice, but she made an impact with her appearance as well — tall, blond and striking on stage when flanked by guitarists Paul Stookey and Peter Yarrow. (more…)
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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT: ‘Hollywood on the Potomac’: Personalities, Politics and Powerbrokers
by Jason Killian MeathMany thanks to all for making my new book “Hollywood on the Potomac” a success. In the first week, it is already hitting Non-Fiction Bestseller lists in bookstores. It’s available now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Borders and many major independents in Los Angeles and Hollywood. It features over 200 photos and stories that detail the fascination between Hollywood stars and Washington power-players.
Here’s an excerpt:
Chapter Five, Personalities, Politics and Powerbrokers
Somehow late night talk shows became a logical first step for politicians to reach voters. Somehow rock stars became a political voice of the disenfranchised. Somewhere along the way, American politics and pop culture personalities began to blend. (more…)
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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT: ‘Hollywood on the Potomac’: Actors to Activists
by Jason Killian MeathSo many big name stars, singers and sports legends have visited Washington over the years, the city is often referred to as “Hollywood on the Potomac.” So, that’s the title of my new book (available now at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Borders) featuring over 200 photographs and stories that detail the fascination between Hollywood stars and Washington power-players — from Presidents Truman through Obama.
Here’s an excerpt: (more…)
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Lost in Celebrity: Jon and Kate Detonate
by Jason Killian MeathIt’s clear: Jon and Kate shouldn’t procreate. The “grocery-aisle-reading” public know Jon and Kate Gosselin from the tabloid tsunami over the reality TV couple’s impending divorce and apparent infidelity. For the rest of the fortuitous one percent who don’t know who I’m talking about — “Jon and Kate Plus 8” is a program in its fifth season on cable channel TLC. he show was originally intended to chronicle two stressed-out, but steadfast, parents who attempt to raise a pair adorable twins and a set of sextuplets in the ‘burbs. ”It might be a crazy life,” mommy Kate says in the opening credits, “but it’s our life” adds daddy Jon. But lately, ‘crazy’ means Kate discovering Jon sleeping with babysitters, tabloid reporters and a bevy of bar room broads. Meantime, Jon calls the cops on Kate to throw her off the property during daddy’s visiting hours. Yep — it’s just good ol’ American family fun on TLC — “The Learning Channel.”
Thankfully, these gory details aren’t directly addressed on the program – at least, not yet. Instead, the show attempts to behave as if viewers are still interested in mommy’s camping trip, or her recipe for Moose Munch, or dad’s go-kart race. Hard to believe just a year ago, Jon and Kate were featured giving marital tips, writing a book about touching family moments — even renewing wedding vows in Hawaii. This was actually when everyone might have become suspicious — since when did renewing vows half way around the world become so important to a family of eight kids? Since Mom caught Dad bedding the chick from the biker bar down the street. (more…)
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Bill and Kim’s Bogus Journey
by Jason Killian MeathHollywood used to be the land of make-believe, but those days are fading fast. Today, Scarlett Johansson offers debate counseling to Barack Obama (her e-mail pal), and A-listers come and go at the White House as if it’s the Beverly Hills Hotel East (if only they had a better pool scene)! Now comes word it was Hollywood who staged the dramatic adventures of former President Bill Clinton and his trip to North Korea.
It all played out a little too perfect — a surprise last-minute swoop by Clinton into enemy territory to heroically stare down the world’s most blood-thirsty dictator and rescue two damsels in distress. The press asked the White House how Bill Clinton became involved in the rescue of the two American women, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, trespassing into North Korea and sentenced to “10 years hard labor.” They said they had no involvement. Of course, Bill Clinton’s wife Hillary works for President Obama as Secretary of State; certainly, the press surmised, she must have been responsible. The response from the State Department was that Bill Clinton was on a “private humanitarian mission.” How does one pull off such an extempore feat without government help? Why, call a movie mogul — of course! (more…)
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It’s the End of the World As We Know It, and Michael Moore’s Cashing In
by Jason Killian MeathMichael Moore is a big fat idiot — or, is he? Actually, he is a big fat Academy-Award winning capitalist who is making a movie sarcastically called “Capitalism: A Love Story.” In it, he’ll use his magical megaphone to expose, in his words, “an economic system that is unfair, it’s unjust and it’s not democratic. And now we’ve learned it doesn’t work.” So… will he also park his little white ice cream truck in front of movie theaters and chastise patrons who wish to pay for a ticket? Will he offer the film for free — perhaps even share part of the proceeds with all of us? Of course not, he’s a millionaire.
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We’ve seen this film many times before from Mr. Moore. The Bush years were kind to him as he tapped into the fears of Americans as they questioned the post 9-11 world, or worried whether there were bogey men hiding in the front offices of America. Now, he’s able to exploit the recession and all the hardships we endure in one great big Mike Moore spectacular! In Moore’s world, free enterprise is unfair, health care is unfair, the 2nd amendment is unfair, life is unfair, paychecks, layoffs, mortgages and democracy itself is unfair — and America is the bad guy. (more…)
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It’s All Relative: The Obama/HuffPo Connection Tightens
by Jason Killian MeathWhatever happened to good old-fashioned American know-how, pulling yourself up from the bootstraps, proving to the world you have the mettle to succeed on your own raw talent? If you’re Paris Hilton or, say, the Huffington Post — none of those good ol’ values amount to a hill of beans! The Huffington Post, the website famous for slapping left-wing bias on mainstream news, recently hired Ethan Axelrod — you may have heard of his dad, David Axelrod: the celebrated image-maker of the Obama campaign. Given the Huffington Post is all snuggles with the Obama Administration, the news might come as no surprise.
Lefty-types are always making room for their own, so long as you have a famous last name or a privileged pedigree. For a bunch that loves to push for “universalizing” and “leveling the playing field,” they sure are elitist! This is the world where Anderson Cooper, scion of Gloria Vanderbilt, is handed the keys to CNN. Al Gore’s daughter Kristin nabs a dream job writing for Matt Groening’s “Futurama” straight out of college. Oh sure, it helped that Poppa Gore agreed to guest star twice (but only if his young daughter could direct). Gore went on to appear as a disembodied head (yes, the show ‘jumped the shark’). Is Huffington Post banking on access to daddy Axelrod’s head, too? ‘Wink, wink,’ welcome aboard Ethan… (more…)
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The Curious Case of Brad’s Vacant Pit
by Jason Killian MeathBrad Pitt was recently asked by German magazine Bild if he believed in God. Pitt smiled and answered: “No, no, no!” Then, asked if his soul was spiritual, he once again said: “No, no, no!” Adding: “I’m probably “20 percent atheist and 80 percent agnostic.” With that, the shrieks of millions of women who dreamed of a storybook church wedding with Mr. Pitt could be heard crying out across the planet.
The comment is sure to cause a few ripples from the man who once played the son of a preacher man in the spiritual A River Runs Through It. What’s more, Pitt advises there is no use thinking about God or a higher power — we’ll find out when we get there, he says. Umm, get where Brad? The Beverly Hills Hotel in the sky? It never ceases to amaze to hear celebrities speak out about religion – or a lack thereof. In a business where vainglory is king, perhaps it is not surprising many in Hollywood are said to lack religion. Que Sera Sera — free country, right? (more…)
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Obama’s Health Care ‘Money Pit’
by Jason Killian MeathElecting a president is like buying a house, we want to know what we’re getting into before taking the plunge — conservative Texas rambler or meterosexual Chicago condo with a view? Is the house going to be practical in 1 year, 2 years — how long do we want to stay in this house anyway? God forbid, we move in and the house starts sucking up all of our money. When the checkbook balance is in the red, savings dried up and credit cards maxed-out… what do we do? If you are President Obama, you decide to splurge on a major renovation. Namely, a pricey soup-to-nuts overhaul of America’s health care system.
Recall Tom Hanks and Shelly Long in the 1986 comedy “The Money Pit?” A pair of newlyweds bite off way more than they can chew as they undertake a massive restoration of their dream home — which is really just a big lemon. They’re strapped for cash, but instead of buying an affordable starter house, they go for a dilapidated mansion. Bathtubs fall through floors, stairways collapse and what should be a blissful first year of marriage heads south in a flash. Sounds like what’s happening with Obama’s health reform!
Need more? Think about the knucklehead contractor the couple hire who soaks them for every penny while rushing through details with shoddy workmanship (ahem, Nancy Pelosi)… and the analogy goes on… (more…)
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Michael Jackson and the Supremes
by Jason Killian MeathAs we endure the endless hours of Sotomayor testimony, let’s remember that rehashing the bizarre lives of dead pop stars can be SO much more interesting than 99.9% of Senate testimony. That said, in researching my new book “Hollywood on the Potomac,” I found an historic tidbit that spoke volumes about both Michael Jackson and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He wasn’t Chief Justice at the time… but when John Roberts was a young lawyer in the Reagan White House, he was very much concerned with Michael Jackson.
The year was 1984 and Michael Jackson was the biggest sensation since Elvis – moonwalking was rapidly replacing blue suede shoes in America’s pop culture lexicon. Jackson’s notorious publicity machine was becoming a global tour de force, and he was sending the White House requests for visits, concert tickets and more! Most of all, Jackson was keen on having Reagan present him with a major award. (more…)
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Review: ‘Moon’ Rocks!
by Jason Killian MeathDuncan Jones’ debut indie feature Moon is being hailed by critics as a modern tribute to great sci-fi films of the past, but I couldn’t help but think about the future — namely, what’s become of the U.S. space program? 40 years ago, America launched the Apollo 11 mission that triumphantly landed men on the moon; yet, where have we gone since?
Moon rocks the imagination as it presents a totally plausible, realistic way of utilizing space for practical purposes — in this case, mining for eco-desirable Helium 3 energy from the lunar surface. Jones strove for science-fact over fiction in researching many minute details of the script. He even screened the film before a panel of NASA scientists — many of whom are working on making fantasy into fact.
Before reading any further — be advised: don’t see Moon to learn about science, but DO see it! It’s a fascinating film featuring an Academy Award-worthy performance by Sam Rockwell.
Now, back to reality… In 2004, President George W. Bush called for a return to the Moon to build a base — it would be a prelude to something even greater: a mission to Mars. He noted words from astronaut Eugene Cernan, who traveled with the last Apollo mission: “We leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind.” With that, scores of engineers, scientists and experts made headway designing, building and planning America’s next endeavour to explore space, they were ready to accomplish the mission. (more…)
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Message Overdrive in ObamaWorld
by Jason Killian MeathAccording to a new study from Accuracy in Media, the Obama administration spends $100,000 per week on message control. It seems in ObamaWorld, a picture is worth a thousand paychecks — $5 million a year distributed in salaries alone. Everyone from ethnocentric Message Coordinators to Town Hall Organizers to Speechwriters will divvy it all up.
One of the little secrets in ObamaWorld is that, while the President made good on his promise not to raise salaries, he quietly added more high paid staff. Lots more. Hence, an army of image makers are paid by taxpayers to ensure the president’s message saturates the daytime airwaves, grocery aisle rags, demographically desirable blogs and that twitters are at full tilt. Or, is that twit? (more…)
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All the World Was Michael Jackson’s Stage
by Jason Killian MeathMusicians – like every American – have every right to say most anything they want. The 1960’s gave rise to popular music as a powerful means of political expression and action. But in the end, Michael Jackson may have moved the cultural political bar further than any performer. He proved a black kid from the poor streets of Gary, Indiana could rise to become an international superstar. His music enjoyed equal company with Eddie Van Halen or Berry Gordy — black or white didn’t seem to matter. He received invitations, calls and letters from leaders as diverse as Republican Ronald Reagan, Democrat Bill Clinton and the Sultan of Brunei. News of his death sent shock waves around the globe.
He was friends with Al Sharpton and Elizabeth Taylor. He was idolized by Justin Timberlake, Flavor Flav — and Madonna. Even those who had slapped him with lawsuits — like Paul McCartney, Tommy Mottola and John Landis — praised him. Everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Diddy issued public statements of their profound sadness. In short, Michael Jackson transcended most boundaries set on Earth. (more…)
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‘Up’ Where We Belong
by Jason Killian MeathA young scout yearns to help an elderly widower in order to earn a merit badge. A senior citizen unfurls hard-learned life lessons for the world. Disney/Pixar’s Up is a lofty film that thrives off old fashioned values, and it is your new number-one 2009 summer blockbuster. Complete with newsreel footage only a great grand-dad could recall, Up is a film which cherishes that very dated, old fashioned concept – great storytelling.
In an age where Dreamworks’ feeds us a steady diet of kung-fu pandas and boogie-in-your-butt lemurs voiced by the guy that gave us Borat, three-to-thirteen year olds have a place to fill up on some traditional values – Disney/Pixar.
My wife and I took our 6-year old boy to see Up on Saturday to a packed movie theater in Washington, DC’s Georgetown neighborhood. All we heard in the theater was laughing, deep emotion and applause. And why not? Up is film that, had it been produced with live actors decades ago, may have starred Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. It is classic American storytelling – true love, big dreams, self-reliance and fierce determination. It doesn’t need gimmicks, politically correct characters or audience focus-group testing to determine its destination. It relies on Russell, who misses his Dad, and Carl Fredricksen, a lost old curmudgeon grieving over the death of his wife – they get us where we’re going. You know them – they’re the sort of folks we see and meet most everyday. (more…)
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