Kumar Goes to the White House II
by Daniel J. Flynn
Kal Penn’s character killed himself on “House.” Kal Penn didn’t commit career suicide by accepting a job in the Obama administration. Penn is merely taking Tinseltown’s love of politics to another level. While it’s not unprecedented for the stars of B-movies to find themselves in the White House, it certainly is unusual. Political activism didn’t hurt the careers of Oscar winners Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, and George Clooney. Their Oscars might be seen as recognition of that activism. After all, their awards came as a result of performances in rather politicized films. If Kal Penn felt typecast as a player in raunchy college comedies, he should have no such worries after his sojourn in Washington, DC. He will be a celebrity among celebrities. Roles will be there for the taking. Just watch: the critical acclaim that escaped him in ”Van Wilder” will have no trouble finding him, and Harold will be wishing that he had followed Kumar to the White House.
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16 Comments
He was a great character on House and threw it all away to become a political hack. From Hollywood to D.C., Hollywood for Ugly People.
If someone thinks going from Hollywood to the Obama Administration is a positive career step, please, let me hold the door open for all of you…
While I don't admire Kal Penn's political beiefs, I have to give him credit for 1) not, to my knowledge, being a loudmouth about his poltics, the way Loony Clooney and others of his ilk, and 2) actually taking a pay cut to fulfill his beliefs. Again, others in Hollywood like Alec Baldwin just go on Letterman or the Daily Show, hand the host a set of kneepads, and spout off without actually doing much of anything other than annoying most people.
B movie actors in the white house can in fact be disastrous. Bedtime for Bonzo anyone?
I could think of about 12 more celebrities he could take with him and I haven't even had my first cup of coffee yet. Can you say Janeane Garofalo? She'd make the perfect White House doorman, along with Penn.
whether or not this is a good career move for him is dependent on how the administration is perceived. All is good- for now. One suspects that like the Clinton term(s) this will become problematic and unpopular. Penn is a modest talent at best so perhaps government service might be his best bet; they will need his affability…
This will be his first step to someday winning an Oscar. I'm only half kidding.
I agree with this. He may be a lefty, but you don't get the angry, vitriolic, hypocritical Castro-loving leftist vibe from him.
But his job is to basically be a coordinator between the White House and "the arts." It's an overt propaganda program, it seems to me. As with so much else, you have to wonder what the hippies would say if Bush had hired a popular actor to coordinate with Hollywood in this way.
Well, rather than simply pretending to be a humble entertainer who subtly reinforces his political views through his roles in Hollywood, at least he outed himself in a big way putting his money where his mouth is by openly working for his political ideology and beliefs. In that, he's far more honest than 95% of the news media who still keep up the veneer of being unbiased reporters. He's also more honest than those celebs who may not mouth off about their beliefs but use their roles to subtly propogandize.
It takes a certain sort of integrity that's in short supply to be open about your beliefs although he'd be far more courageous if he was quitting to support someone conservative. Still, it's honesty, and that's refreshing.
I'll second Orrin – I have no animosity towards this guy – until I heard that he was becoming an Obamaoid, never knew his politics.
"he'd be far more courageous if he was quitting to support someone conservative"
i.e. people who believe what I believe are inherently more courageous when they act on those beliefs.
It's more courageous because when you take time off from your acting career to work for a Dem, that INCREASES career opportunities later in Hollywood. If you work for a conservative, you're DECREASING the work that will be offered to you. An actor supporting Obama isn't any more courageous than coming out against the kicking of puppies.
Jack Bauer will soon see to it that she has an opening in the O administration.
Can't sneer at the guy for putting his money where his mouth is….besides, you guys know what series regulars make? Not to mention stars of successful films (not saying good, just successful)? Penn could ride out an Obama 2nd term and still have plenty left over for manicures and lattes.
Like I said before; who knew Kumar was a tax cheat?
That is a prerequisite for a job in the Obama administration, isn't it?
At least we will be spared any more dopey Harold and Kumar movies for a while.
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