Even people who recoil at “Saturday Night Live’s” inability to hit the Left as hard as the Right will admit the show’s sketches look great.

Terrific makeup. Top-flight impersonations. Impressive production values.

Actor Justin Long proves in his latest video that’s he’s not ready for prime time, “SNL” style.

Long is partnering with far-left MoveOn.org to play up the already discredited meme that former Gov. Mitt Romney likes to fire people. “SNL” beat Long to the punch, but the “Live Free or Die Hard” star doesn’t want to let it go.

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The Sundance Film Festival is where one-percenters gather to hurl stones at haughty, out of touch (Republican) politicians whom they claim are hurting the ninety-nine percenters. This year a curious thing happened: Gene Simmons rolled in and cleaned house.

The bassist for KISS, who can always be trusted to speak his mind and who, unlike many other entertainers, actually has something to say, gave us his take on Robert Redford, President Barack Obama, and Mitt Romney.

Regarding Redford’s statements against one-percenters, statements that only Occupy Wall Street types could love, Simmons said:

He means well, he’s a great guy. But it’s a bit hypocritical, since he’s part of the one percent, to address the 99 percent.

Simmons then went to speak to that fact that he doesn’t like all the class warfare, all the dividing of people into different camps.

Either we are all Americans, or you’re going to fall victim. This is the reason why the old Roman Empire died, it fell from within. Division from within is one of the stupidest things you can do.

Regarding Obama, Simmons basically called him a rookie, and stated anew his regret for supporting him in 2008.

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Just like four years ago, another group of legendary Obama 1 percent supporters have stepped forward to lend a creative hand to help the President raise money for his 2012 bid for reelection. Last time around it was “Runway to Change.” This time the design-for-Obama group effort has been dubbed “Runway to Win.”

Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor that hosted Obama’s supporters in her New York townhouse and who recently co-hosted a $35,000 per person fundraiser at Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s home, is heading up the venture. In the past, Wintour’s tony political functions were attended by the likes of Alicia Keys and $70,000 dinner power couple Coldplay singer Chris Martin and his actress wife, the “suddenly everywhere” Miramax “muse,” Gwyneth Paltrow.

So with Wintour now raising reelection funds, you can just forget the $5 raffle tickets for a hot dog dinner with Barry and Shelley. Instead, the campaign will be hawking designer duds to people who, last time around, were in such dire straits they hoped the new president would fill their gas tank and pay their mortgage.

For her latest effort, Anna Wintour has recruited Hollywood notables, designers, pop and hip-hop artists, and other all-around really rich people to raise money for Barack 2012 by designing overpriced T-shirts, tank tops, scarves, wristlets, and bags to sell at inflated prices to people who, in the midst of an Obama recession, really can’t afford them.

Thus, “Runway to Win” is yet another example that Barack Obama and his helpful circle of elite Hollywood friends and Seventh Avenue designer devotees are all pretty much insulated from reality, out of touch, and oblivious to the plight of the common man.

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Everything’s not coming up Rosie for the former Queen of Nice.

Rosie O’Donnell’s new OWN talk show is still struggling to find its audience. So the minds at Oprah Winfrey’s nascent network decided to start the new year with a fresh executive producer and set.

Shane Farley, who worked with O’Donnell on her previous Emmy-winning syndicated talker, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, has come on as executive producer … Farley has more than 15 years of experience producing talk shows, most recently Rachael Ray. The Rosie Show kicked off 2012 with a new smaller and brightly-colored set. It fits about 70 audience members, about a fifth of the original set, and is inspired by Rosie’s art studio at her home in New York….

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Robert Redford wants everyone to know his beloved Sundance Film Festival considers the Occupy Wall Street movement its spiritual cousin. Redford made that clear during his state of the Sundance union address on the first day of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

But Redford and his annual gala seems out of step with the Occupy marching orders. Consider the following the next time you hear Redford cozy up to the so-called 99 percent. From corporate sponsorship to ritzy giveaways to encouraging consumerism, it turns out his iconic festival has very little in common with Joe and Jane Sixpack:

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It’s hard to imagine anyone would actually be surprised that Oliver Stone would champion Ron Paul. After all, the two both seem to look at politics through a lens that someone brought back from the Bizzaro World. For those of you who aren’t Superman fans, the Bizzaro world is a place where everything is the opposite as it is on Earth.

Stone revealed his secret admiration for the Republican presidential hopeful in an interview for this month’s edition of RockCellar Magazine, in which Stone confessed:

There’s no way that we can continue this spending spree. In fact, I think in many ways the most interesting candidate – I’d even vote for him if he was running against Obama – is Ron Paul. Because he’s the only one of anybody who’s saying anything intelligent about the future of the world.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone familiar with the simple fact that both Paul and Stone are isolationists who think the United States is wrong every time it uses military force to stop tyranny, torture or oppression in foreign countries.

In fact, later in the interview Stone said:

Why is it necessary for every candidate — except for Ron Paul — to pay obeisance to this hypocrisy that the U.S. is a good force in the world, and that it is the dominant force, and can be the policeman of the world? Since when? What gave us that right?

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Ben Stiller doesn’t have to work the boob tube circuit.

The star of those “Focker” films as well as the “Night at the Museum” franchise is a pretty safe bet in box office circles. So why did he just sign a deal with HBO to direct, produce and star in a new Jewish family comedy alongside Alan Alda?

A cynic might say it’s a sign Stiller feels insecure over the weak box office receipts for his last film, “Tower Heist.” Even mega-stars can be as paranoid as screen newbies. Why else would Will Smith sign up for “Men in Black III” after his drama “Seven Pounds” gave him a rare flop?

For Stiller, the chance to oversee his own HBO comedy offers the kind of creative outlet he can’t get with movies. And that’s a sad thing to say about an industry obsessed with remakes, sequels and other too safe bets.

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When actor Vince Vaughn was introducing current Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul at the Liberty Political Action Conference last September, someone from the crowd interrupted and yelled, “brave actor!”

Vaughn, being the pro he is, finished undeterred, going on to describe his long standing relationship with Rep. Paul. Looking at the crop of actors and artists who have thrown out their support for Paul in recent months, one has to wonder if Vaughn started all this and whether he was a “brave actor” when he dared to stand for something opposing the liberal Occupy Wall Street mentality of Hollywood celebrities.

The “Swingers” star stood for capitalism and his own conservatism in front of that audience, and it seems to have sparked a sudden movement in Hollywood of celebrities supporting the capitalism loving, libertarian leaning Paul. But, does this mean a change in Hollywood from the liberal, Obama worshipping place we know it as?

Heck, if Oliver Stone can publicly state he’d vote for Paul over President Barack Obama, then Hollywood is truly in uncharted political waters.

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Leave it to the guru of Sundance to hitch his wagon to the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Robert Redford, who created the Sundance Film Festival in the late 1970s, announced at the start of the 2012 edition that the event is not for those untoward one percent types.

We show stories of what people in America are really dealing with, and really living with, against a consequence of having a government that’s let them down,” Redford said. “People can come and say, ‘God, at least we’re seeing how people are really living in America, and what they’re up against.’ We square away on the 99 percent.

FoxNews.com contributor Hollie McKay begs to differ.

But the scene in Park City, Utah, where Sundance is held, would seem to run counter to Redford’s characterization, with big corporations sponsoring virtually every event and venue, and super rich celebrities racing each other to scoop up corporate sponsor freebies.

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Albert Brooks, he of “Lost in America” fame, had a spectacular shot at an Oscar nomination for his gritty supporting work in “Drive.”

What’s better than a veteran comedian ditching the laughs for some low down, dirty behavior on screen. Alas, Brooks came up short this morning when the Oscar nominations were announced. Better luck next year, Albert.

But Brooks decided to turn the snub into comedy fodder. He raced to his Twitter account to fire off these missives:

Brooks’ reaction is so much better than the pained “happy” expressions we see on Oscar night by those who miss out on that golden statuette.

You would think Piers Morgan would follow up with a question about Sean Penn’s admiration and support of Hugo Chavez, but instead, Morgan ignores this glaring opening and uses the opportunity to attack Mitt Romney as a flip-flopper.

Obama’s Palace Guards are … everywhere.

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How old do you think Sean Penn is in drug years?

Via Fox News:

If Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum ends up in the White House, Sean Penn won’t be happy about it.

“I don’t want to see Rick Santorum be president because I would like to see people in trouble in this country getting out of it,” the actor and liberal activist said on CNN  Monday night. “I don’t want to see a narrow-minded leadership encourage a narrow-minded Congress.”

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Kevin Smith and Spike Lee have very little in common – on the surface.

Smith is the pudgy fanboy fave behind “Clerks” and “Chasing Amy.” Lee is the combustible auteur who gave us “Do the Right Thing” and “Malcolm X.”

But both directors find their careers in serious decline, and they’re not going out without a fight. But instead of making great movies to smite their critics, they’re opening up their mouths far too often.

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Actor Samuel L. Jackson isn’t as pleased with President Barack Obama as he expected he would be at this point in the Commander in Chief’s first term,

Then again, no one will give Obama any [expletive] credit for all the [expletive] things the president has [expletive] done so far.

Yes, Jackson’s intense screen persona occasionally bleeds into the actor’s off-screen life, if his chat with Newsweek/The Daily Beast is any indication. Jackson shared his disappointment with the Hope and Change Meets Reality Tour before resorting to standard celebrity form. Yeah, but he’s still great:

Actor Samuel L. Jackson, an early supporter of the president, freely admits his ambivalence. “Some days I agree with Dr. West and what he says about the president not dealing enough with the plight of the poor,” says Jackson. “Then I think about how they won’t give him credit for anything… The president got about a week of moderate applause for capturing the most-wanted man in the world. You ask me, he should have put that motherfucker on ice and defrosted his ass Nov. 1.

Actress/director Debbie Allen didn’t bother with any equivocations while endorsing Obama for four more years.

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THR:

In his opening remarks, Obama recalled how he took Michelle to see Lee’s movie Do the Right Thing on their first date, according to the pool report.

Lee quipped: “Good thing you didn’t choose Driving Miss Daisy.” …

Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon are among the 45 guests at the $35,800-per-ticket dinner in NYC.

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“Saturday Night Live” finally produced a bona fide female star in cast standout Kristen Wiig after years of cranking out male A-listers like Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy and Will Ferrell.

But Wiig refuses to play by modern Hollywood’s rules.

Wiig showed she could commandeer a movie with 2011’s surprise smash “Bridesmaids,” which she also co-wrote. Talk of a “Bridesmaids” sequel was a given thanks to the film’s theatrical haul of nearly $170 million.

Did it matter that a “Bridesmaids” sequel made no sense, and that the story it told wrapped in a more than satisfactory fashion?

Sequel talks hit a snag when it was revealed Wiig wasn’t sure making a second “Bridesmaids” was the best way to use her new clout. Maybe she caught “The Hangover – Part II” on Blu-ray, a prime example of a one-shot concept stretched to its breaking point. Now, Wiig is explaining why you won’t be seeing a “Bridesmaids 2″ with her any time soon.

We’re not planning on doing one. We had a special time making the first one, but we’re really excited to try something else.

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President Barack Obama inherited a mess, or so we’re endlessly told by Obama’s celebrity backers.

But the Commander in Chief apparently has enough time between fixing the economy, managing the war in Afghanistan and dealing with a near-nuclear Iran to send personal birthday greetings to a sitcom actress.

Obama fired off his best birthday cheer Jan. 9 to Zooey Deschanel, the adorable star of Fox’s “New Girl” sitcom.

Michelle and I send our warmest wishes for a happy birthday … I hope your day is filled with love and laughter, and I wish you all the best for good health and happiness in the year ahead.

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On January 12, the Tennessean ran a story highlighting President Obama’s pursuit of celebrity backing for his re-election. In the body of the story, the newspaper released a list of 194 “celebrities” whom Obama is counting on to carry water for him between now and Nov. 2012.

The list contains celebrities you’d expect to see listed. Singers Marc Anthony, Jay-Z and Fergie, NBA players Vince Carter and Grant Hill, CEO Warren Buffett, and the well known “philanthropist” Chelsea Clinton (she’s described as a philanthropist on the list) all made the cut. None of this is too surprising until you scroll on down and find Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas listed as “surrogates” for Obama’s re-election.

Upon seeing their names, my first thought was: “Wow, children’s television stars. I guess after they teach our kids how to count they can teach them to vote for Obama.” After all, kids are their target audience, as the kinds of awards they’re nominated for demonstrate. Just last year Nick and Joe Jonas were nominated for Kids’ Choice Awards in the Best TV Actor category, and Joe received “two nominations at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards: one of which was ‘choice male hottie.’” I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried, folks.

But upon further reflection, the hypocrisy of the Jonas Brothers’ support for Obama simply wasn’t funny anymore.

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To say “Star Wars” fans have a love/hate relationship with the series’ creator, George Lucas, is to state the obvious.

Heck, they made an entire film on the subject – “The People vs. George Lucas.”

Fans critical of Lucas’ incessant tinkering on his six “Star Wars” films should be comforted by the fact that Lucas has heard you. He’s just not taking your comments seriously.

Lucas, on the promotional circuit to draw attention to his latest project, the World War II film “Red Tails,” says “Star Wars” fans can only blame themselves for ending the franchise.

On the Internet, all those same guys that are complaining I made a change are completely changing the movie,” Lucas tells the New York Times in a new profile, referring to YouTube fans who have re-cut his films in retaliation for the small changes he has made. “I’m saying: ‘Fine. But my movie, with my name on it, that says I did it, needs to be the way I want it.’”

Combine that experience with the cool reception the three “Star Wars” prequel films received in the late 90s and early 2000s, and Lucas says he’s done making new films in the canon.

“Why would I make any more,” Lucas says, “when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?

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Poor celebrities. Don’t they ever learn their threats to leave the country if a Republican is elected president always come up empty?

Susan Sarandon still calls the U.S.A. home, as does Robert Redford.

Now, Sophia Bush is threatening to pack up her bags and flee if President Obama isn’t re-elected in 2012.

Who’s Sophia Bush? Good question. She’s a co-star on the long-running CW drama “One Tree Hill” and her impressive film resume includes “John Tucker Must Die” and the remake of “The Hitcher.”

Here’s Bush explaining her moving plans should the GOP take back the White House come 2012.

I’m afraid for our country that people like this [current Republican candidates] could even be thought of as the president. I live in a country where I believe all men are created equal, not just wealthy white guys. I believe all men, all women, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic background, you deserve the same rights. If that’s not where our country is going, then I’ll leave. I don’t need to live here. I’m out! I’ll go to Canada, peace! See you later.

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***UPDATE: One of the folks involved in the event was kind enough to forward the video. It’s a must-watch. The great Frank Luntz gets bigger laughs than Colbert (who gets none) and not because these South Carolina moms “don’t get” the joke. These are smart women who know Colbert’s joke really isn’t. Watch how many of them describe Colbert as a left-winger and, quite hilariously, as a “Charleston dandy.”

Man, I love the American people.

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Because those left-wing journOlists at Politico share Colbert’s agenda to define GOP candidates as out-of-touch, because Politico shares Colbert’s goal to deny free speech to millionaires not named Stephen Colbert and corporations not named Politico, it makes sense that after gushing all over Colbert in somewhere around 258,223 stories, Politico would bury the lede in the 258,224th:

Via POLITICO’s Mackenzie Weinger in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Stephen Colbert made his appearance at the Café Moms town hall via a recorded video message:

Stephen Colbert made a cameo appearance at the Café Moms town hall meeting in Myrtle Beach on Monday with a recorded message asking the audience if they agree with Mitt Romney’s line that “corporations are people.” …

“My next question for the Café Moms South Carolina town hall is: What do you think about South Carolina’s favorite son forming an exploratory committee to run for president? While you discuss that I’m going to call my mom.”

And snark, snark, snark, and blah, blah, blah.

The real story, however, is found (as it usually is at Politico) near and at the bottom:

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