The Google logo has been blacked out today. Wikipedia, reddit, Mozilla and Twitpic are all blocking access to content.  Even Star Trek icon George Takei has blocked his site.  The moves are displays of cyber-protest against the heavy-handed and ill-conceived Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).

From a political and public relations standpoint, this has already been a complete and utter failure for Hollywood and their formerly formidable lobbying arm, the Motion Picture Association of America. Former Sen. Chris Dodd became the new CEO of the MPAA after he realized he would never be re-elected in his home state of Connecticut due to his personal scandals with Countrywide Mortgage and his involvement in the mortgage collapse at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. So naturally, Hollywood hired the failed Senator as their man in Washington. Dodd has been the chief architect of SOPA, which was written with about as much subtlety and constitutional protocol as his equally disastrous Dodd-Frank banking law.

The merits of SOPA and the overall issue of online piracy is a worthy topic, and it can be argued that the federal government should have some hand in policing and enforcing piracy on behalf of private industries and artists who rely on royalties as a major part of their profit structure. These details can and should be debated here and in Washington DC. What is striking about today’s Internet blackout and the over-the-top reaction to it from Dodd is that this arrogant, befuddled and inept former Senator has finally figured out a way to unite the left and the right to focus their passion against a common enemy:  Hollywood.  (more…)

As John Nolte pointed out yesterday, Connor [sic?] Friedersdorf, Atlantic’s resident conservative who spends most of his time trashing conservatives, set out to investigate how audiences are responding to the new Sarah Palin documentary “The Undefeated”. Curiously, he chose to go to a midnight showing in Orange County, CA at the precise moment of the long-anticipated premiere of the final “Harry Potter” film.

I planned on doing the same thing. I planned on going to the movie theatre in Orange, CA (AMC 30 at The Block) and report back to the Big Hollywood readers how Palin was being accepted in the county that Ronald Reagan described as “where good Republicans go to die.” Now Coner [sic?] is a real journalist, as he often reminds us. And I’m just a Breitbart blogger, so what do I know, but it seemed to me that the best time to go check out the audience reaction was during the DAY of the release, not at the midnight showing last night.

The Atlantic’s Conor Frieders-whatever demands girls talk to him at midnight

Connner [sic?], being the brilliant and reliable “capital- J journalist” that he is, reported to the intellectual readers of the Atlantic that he was the only person in the theatre at midnight last night – along with two young girls that he creepily interviewed for his column (hey there, I’m a JOURNALIST, want to tell me your name and what brings you here to this dark theatre after midnight?). He also claims that the manager wouldn’t tell him how many tickets had been sold for the film.

Funny, the manager I spoke with the next day had no problem telling me (more on that later). Maybe the guy Connnor [sic?] talked to was creeped out about the guy who was still lingering in the cinema after 2:00 AM after seeing a movie about Sarah Palin and after scaring two teenagers out of the place. (That’s just conjecture, I have no proof that Coonor’s [sic?] odd inquisition of the teenagers is what led them to leave the movie early, but it’s strange that it didn’t occur to him that a guy sitting all alone in a movie theatre after midnight showing a movie about Sarah Palin might not be the first person two teenage girls from out of town would want to talk to, and maybe THAT’s why they left early and didn’t want to hang out with him).

I can tell you that at 10:45 this morning, the theatre was about 1/3 full and the audience sat riveted. I stood on the side and watched the audience more than I watched the film. They skewed a but older, I’d say 47-ish was the average age. But remember that this was at 10:45 in the morning on a work day. Most good conservatives are working at that time and aren’t able to go catch a flick. Not one of them looked at their watch. Not one left to use the restroom. The only movement was of people turning to their friend or spouse in reaction to the action on the screen.

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There’s a dirty little secret in the entertainment industry (ok, there are a LOT of dirty little secrets, but I’ll just reveal one in this post):  A lot of people have jobs for the sole purpose of protecting others from looking like assholes.

In the inherently egocentric world of entertainment, no one wants to reveal themselves to be the bitchy, obnoxious, catty, vindictive, mean-spirited and selfish person that they really are.  So they hire others to do it for them.  This is especially true with the part of the business revealed by Steven Crowder’s stunning new video that shows how Jon Stewart’s PRODUCER told Crowder’s MANAGER that the Daily Show doesn’t book conservative pundits.  In the extra sensitive realm of hiring or not hiring (especially in such a subjective and sensitive industry as ours) these extra layers are essential to keeping everyone looking like the great guy and gal we are all sure they are.

Think about it: Jay Leno was the nice guy back in the late show booking wars, Helen Kushnick was the monster, right?  And actor’s are never to blame for the outrageous demands their cut-throat agents squeeze from the studios, right?  As a theatrical general manager I handled duties like this all the time.  I was the asshole who had to tell Val Kilmer he couldn’t do all the crap he tried to do, and the producer who hired me came in right behind me and gave Val’s ass a nice air kiss, but make no mistake, if I air-kissed any part of Kilmer that producer would have canned me.  My job was to be the asshole so my boss could schmooze with Val Kilmer.

And so it goes.

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I had the pleasure of interviewing the beautiful and talented Janine Turner last night on my radio program, The Stage Right Show. Her enthusiasm and sincerity is infectious and is evident from her very first “howdy” greeting to my listeners.

Her knowledge of the founding fathers, the national debt problems and the current state of the elite media led her to a new career as a radio talk show host.  Her new show, “The Janine Turner Show”, will stream live here at Big Hollywood at 11:00 PM ET.

Enjoy this glimpse of Janine as we discuss her show, her enthusiasm for the work done by Andrew Breitbart and the crew here at Big Hollywood.  I even get her to sing a verse from her favorite Broadway musical,  “1776″:

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What has happened to the writers of ‘Glee’? I don’t get it.

These guys pride themselves on being the vanguards of tolerance and understanding. They have been awarded by no less than GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) for their positive and outstanding representations of gays and lesbians in the media. They have been in the forefront of breaking down stereotypes and educating Americans on the dangers of intolerance against groups who don’t fit into the cookie-cutter molds that society would force them into.

So imagine my surprise when they did exactly the opposite to conservative Tea Party activists:

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Kathy Griffin, (herself a GLAAD “Vanguard” award winner for her outstanding contribution to the depiction of gays and lesbians in the media), played a “Tea Party Candidate” who was judging a glee club competition. Dressed all in red and with Palin-esque glasses, her character bursts onto the scene by proclaiming “I am not a witch!” [Insert pause for laughter here].

It’s more than just disappointing, it’s intolerance and bigotry in the name of tolerance and understanding.

The initial reviews of this episode are pretty lousy, even from the show’s fans. And they all seem to single out the Kathy Griffin character as a “dud”. But, none of them understand the real reason why her character was a dud. I’ll explain it for them: Because it was a two-dimensional depiction of a conservative that was not based in any kind of reality or truth. The character was a cartoon image of a “Tea Partier” drawn by a group of writers who probably have never had a real conversation with one of us.

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“Racist!” It almost seems that a critic of the policies and agenda of President Obama hasn’t really arrived in the big time until someone screams this hateful slur at them. Think about it: Is there a single, effective communicator of conservative ideas in America today who hasn’t been called a racist? Rush, Beck, O’Reilly, Hannity, and of course, Breitbart. If you believe the defenders of social welfare ideals of this administration you’ll believe that every bit of reasoned opposition to the left is rooted in the same values that brought us Jim Crow.

The latest victims of this scandalous slur are Big Hollywood’s own James Hudnall and Baton Lash. Their weekly political cartoon Obama Nation” was singled out by the totalitarian thought police at Media Matters and labeled racist. They never really spelled out exactly WHY the cartoon poking fun at the hypocrisy of the First Family’s Super Bowl menu juxtaposed with Mrs. Obama’s far-reaching “Nutrition Agenda” was racist, but it doesn’t matter: If the Media Matters says you’re racist, that’s good enough for MSNBC.

Dutifully, Lawrence O’Donnell took Media Matter’s article on the subject and turned it into an epic monologue that most of us were sure was satire. Turns out, O’Donnell is not nearly creative enough to have pulled off such a feat.

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After decades of perennial best seller status, Ayn Rand’s epic novel “Atlas Shrugged” has finally made its way to the silver screen. “Atlas Shrugged, Part 1″ is due to arrive on April 15, 2011 and its stunning trailer has already garnered over 700,000 views on YouTube in just a few weeks.

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The perennial best seller is undergoing a new-found popularity in the Obama Era and the themes (and in some cases the exact plot points) of Rand’s scathing critique of state-run economies with “fairness” and “the social good” as its stated goals resonate in 2011 in an eerie and prescient way.

The film’s producer, Harmon Kaslow, took thirty minutes from his hectic promotion schedule to talk with me about what it took to make this project happen and the unique ways in which he is building a grass-roots following for the film…

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The politically correct chickens are coming home to roost in the Orwellian world of the organized left’s free-expression-stifling speech codes.

To paraphrase Martin Niemöller’s famous admonition about complacency with totalitarian fascists:  “First they came for Rush Limbaugh and called his satire racist, and I didn’t speak out because Rush Limbaugh is a conservative.  Then they came for Dr. Laura and called her commentary racist, and I didn’t speak out because Dr. Laura is a conservative…”

Well, this time they came after a high school drama program in far-from conservative Westbury, CT.  The Arts Magnet School in that city planned a production of August Wilson’s 20th century classic “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” until the district’s Superintendent, David Snead, tried to pull the plug because the play’s characters use the word “nigger”. (more…)

It’s impossible to work in the theatre industry and not have colleagues, business partners and life-long friends who are gay. I have always viewed this fact as one of the most wonderful and enriching dynamics of the theatre community.  It’s so invigorating being part of a show (which very soon takes on the characteristics of a family) and have people from every walk of life represented, often by “Type A” personalities who bring joy and variety to the daily routine of presenting a show.

After collaborating with gay associates for almost thirty years, I’ve reached the conclusion that most gay men hold a fundamentally center/right view on most economic and national security issues.  The over-riding feeling expressed to me from my gay friends is the deeply held desire to be left alone.  And after watching GOProud Chairman Christopher Barron take this obnoxious attack from non-entity Cenk Uyger for having the temerity to identify himself as a conservative, I’ve reached the greater conclusion that the conservative movement needs articulate and courageous voices like this as part of our team.

As Mr. Barron puts it: “I have an easier time being openly gay with conservatives than I do being a conservative with other gay people.”  So, if CPAC and the Republican Party can be accepting of gay conservatives who don’t hold exactly to every single position espoused by the party, why can’t Broadway do the same?
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Actor Chris Tierney, dressed in the iconic Spider-Man superhero costume, teetered on the edge of the set piece representing the Brooklyn Bridge.  After a dramatic moment, Tierney leapt out toward the audience, just as Director Julie Taymor had choreographed.  The rope attached to his back was meant to hold the actor in a launch-like position, like a cinematic freeze-frame effect.  But, last night things did not go as rehearsed.  The cable attached to the actor’s back detached and the 31-year-old “aerialist” plunged at rapid speed through the stage floor.  Moments later, Jennifer Damiano, the actress playing Spidey’s love interest, Mary Jane, screamed in horror… real-life horror.  Her fellow cast-member had just seriously injured himself in an accident that could have, and should have been prevented.

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Actors’ Equity Association, the theatrical actors union, has finally stepped in and pulled its members from the production until significant changes are made to the show’s special effects.  The show’s press representative has announced that they plan to re-open Wednesday night, but insiders say it will be difficult to make that deadline.

Broadway professionals who are accustomed to dealing with Actors’ Equity Association on a regular basis have been wondering when the union would finally step in and perform the fundamental role they have always claimed to play: protector of the safety of their members.  In an era where producers are forced to hire full-time massage therapists for chorus dancers and must pay hazard premiums to actors who perform on a raked (slanted) stage, it is an outrage that Mr. Tierney was the fourth actor to sustain an injury in this ill-conceived stage extravaganza. (more…)

This week Barabra Streisand emerged from her self -imposed seclusion to grace Larry King and his viewers with her presence on the TV host’s penultimate broadcast.  As the Los Angeles Times put it, the “interview” resembled more of an infomercial for the product that is Barbra Streisand.

In segment after segment Barbra talked about Barbra.  Barbra talked about Obama.  Barbra talked about Barbra.  Barbra talked about Clinton.  And Barbra talked about Barbra.

Larry King dutifully congratulated her on all of her observations.

Here’s one my favorite moments:  When Larry King asked her about the first two years of Barack Obama’s Presidency she laments that President Obama did not use his “executive powers” to unilaterally repeal DADT.  Then, pricelessly, without any sense of self awareness she goes on to praise President Bill Clinton as one of our greatest Presidents.  It would have been at this moment that an actual journalist would have pointed out to Ms. Streisand that President Clinton was the “great” President that instituted the DADT policy that she now wants President Obama to unconstitutionally and unilaterally revoke.  Instead, Mr. King appeared to sit back and admire the beautiful lighting that Ms. Streisand probably supervised prior to the tape rolling.

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If opening night reviews are to be believed, the newest theatre hit of the year may have just premiered in Minneapolis last night.

Conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham has embarked on an ambitious venture that is sure to make most mainstream (left of Karl Marx) theatre critics scratching their heads – if not pulling the hair out of them. In the wake of her best-selling book, “The Obama Diaries” Ingraham has assembled a multi-media stage extravaganza complete with actors playing the roles of the President and First Lady.

I’m looking forward to providing our readers with a first-hand critical assessment of the production, but until then we’ll have to rely on some of the lucky folks in the audience last night. According to “MinnCon” at Redstate:

In a word, the show was “Obamalicious,” (satirically heavy on the “malicious”) and combined live onstage narration and hosting by Ingraham with real audio clips, photos, videos, and skewering-yet-spot-on impersonations of our imperious President and the First Lady by two fine performers.

Played – no, NAILED – by actors Russell Brown and Selma Schmidt (I believe those were the names – a printed program was not provided) the fictional secret thoughts of Mr. and Mrs. Prez came to life in all of their vainglory.

For the record, Reggie Brown played Obama and Sonja Schmidt played Michelle and yes, I hear their performances are spot-on and hilarious.

From my perspective (and the perspective of any good capitalist) the only real measure of a show is how it does at the box office.  And  by that measure, “Obama Diaries, LIVE” appears to be a hit.  The show played to capacity audiences in not-so-conservative Minneapolis.  If the show can play there, imagine how it will do in Dallas. (more…)

Join us here at Big Hollywood tonight as we live-blog the west coast feed of the Tony Awards from 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM Pacific Time. Broadway’s brightest lights will shine on the stage of Radio City Music Hall as host Sean Hayes moves the evening along with grace.

For the final two hours of the show, we will also have live, streaming audio of “The Stage Right Show” with live callers, running commentary, by yours truly and a slew of surprise call-in guests (many of whom are your favorite Big Hollywood contributors).

Join us here at Big Hollywood, sign in to the live-blog chat room, and join the interactive, multi-media, Broadway fun! We liveblog using ScribbleLive.com, so if you haven’t already, head over there and create a profile–don’t forget to upload an avatar!

And, don’t worry, if you come late, the usher will seat you at an appropriate break in the performance.

Tonight at 9:00 PM Pacific Time, Greg Gutfeld joins me on “The Stage Right Show” for a one-on-one interview.  Listen here at Big Hollywood as Gutfeld pontificates on Helen Thomas, Bill Maher, Ann Coulter, Fox News, Michael Moore and bondage paraphernalia.  All the while seamlessly plugging his hugely popular new book, The Bible of Unspeakable Truths.

Earlier this week, Rene Balcer, the Executive Producer of “Law and Order,” had some obnoxious and demeaning things to say about one of the show’s former stars, Sen. Fred Thompson:

I wasn’t on the show when he was on the show.  In fact, when they brought me back on the show I said I’m not coming back as long as that guy is on the show.  I didn’t think much of his acting or the character.

Never mind the fact that a simple IMDB search shows that Balcer and Sen. Thompson share credit on a handful of “Law and Order” episodes, facts like this get in the way of a good, bitchy attack like that.

Sen. Thompson, for his part, has always maintained a level of discretion whenever discussing any behind-the-scenes conflicts with the notoriously left-leaning creative staff.  He has never referred to any individuals by name and only that “one writer in particular” was always butting heads with him over storylines and bias injected into the show.  But, now that Balcer has shown himself to be so classless and obnoxious, Thompson confirmed with me that indeed, Balcer was the writer.

“He was the guy who I busted on several different occasions and made him change his script” he told me during our one-on-one interview this week in Los Angeles.  “So, I think it’s fair to say he’s not very happy.” (more…)

Tamera Mowry, who happens to be a person of mixed race, appeared on The Wendy Williams Show yesterday.  The subject of Tamera’s relationship with Fox News reporter Adam Housley came up and Williams made a curious observation:

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“I looked at him and he doesn’t look exactly like Jim Belushi, but he looks like from the same tribe…”

Now, let’s just say that Wendy Williams is not wasting a lot of time at Mensa Conventions and we doubt she’ll be going on Celebrity Jeopardy anytime soon (let alone Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader) but this ignorance transcends intelligence, this is a reveal into a mindset.

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You would think that after last year’s Perez Hilton debacle Miss USA officials would have put some serious controls over the questions this year’s judges were allowed to ask the pageant contestants.  Instead, Sunday’s event had actor Oscar Nuñez of NBC’s “The Office” grilling Miss Oklahoma on the recently passed anti-illegal immigration law in Arizona.

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In the past year, we’ve had plenty of opportunities (and reasons) to criticize Jon Stewart’s routine attacks on conservatives, talk radio, Fox News and other opponents of reflexive liberalism.

But not today.