# I'm dreading the Oscars. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 4, 2017, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973 "2017-02-04T06:16:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/21 "2017-02-04T20:24:38Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > My opinion is that once McCarthy and his cronies pulled actors into senate committee hearings, asked them to name names, and blacklisted actors based on what they said and who they associated with, actors get to be as political as they’d like. McCarthy never called any actors before his Senate Committee. Also, the Senate wasn’t involved with the blacklisting of actors for being Stalinists. That was the House and happened before McCarthy had even set foot in Washington. For that matter, while I didn’t approve of the treatment of Abraham Polonsky and friends, as he himself has acknowledged, Lennie Riefenstahl was treated the same. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/22 "2017-02-04T20:29:05Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Methinks a game might be afoot. What time tonight does Trump make the first tweet calling someone fat or ugly? Honestly, I don’t think words alone could describe how happy the thought of him being “triggered” by statements from the people at the Oscars. If he sends out a tweet screeching about how the Oscars is supposed to be “a safe and special space” and then promptly drops dead of a massive heart attack, I will decide that’s a sign there’s a God and start praying to him regularly. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/23 "2017-02-04T20:31:27Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > My opinion is that once McCarthy and his cronies pulled actors into senate committee hearings, asked them to name names, and blacklisted actors based on what they said and who they associated with, actors get to be as political as they’d like. Plainly, however, the OP is not criticizing the expectation that speakers will be political, but rather is concerned that they will be conformist and dull. > [@Chronos](#): > > Yes, actors and directors and so on probably will be talking a lot about how bad Trump is. Indeed, there may well be concern that failing to do so will have negative career consequences. Criticizing Trump in acceptance speeches may become like wearing a ribbon. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/24 "2017-02-04T21:15:34Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Plainly, however, the OP is not criticizing the expectation that speakers will be political, but rather is concerned that they will be conformist and dull. > > Indeed, there may well be concern that failing to do so will have negative career consequences. Criticizing Trump in acceptance speeches may become like wearing a ribbon. Has anyone noticed the correlation between liberal Hollywood activism and declining box office totals? You know, given that Hollywood has taken to routinely pissing off half the country for some time now? Sure, there are a lot of things competing with movies for our attention these days, like video games and DVR recordings and various streaming services, but whatever audience for movies that still remains would be considerably larger if the people starring in them weren’t pissing off half of their potential audience. If I were a Hollywood producer I think I’d be thinking very carefully about casting an outspoken agitator for liberal causes in any movie I was financing. Of course most of them are probably liberal in their politics too, and given that concern for or even cognizance of the consequences of their actions is hardly a liberal hallmark, it’s quite possible that Hollywood producers are as unconcerned over the fallout of their actors’ liberal evangelism as are the actors themselves. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/25 "2017-02-04T23:13:07Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Plainly, however, the OP is not criticizing the expectation that speakers will be political, but rather is concerned that they will be conformist and dull. I don’t read the OP like that. I read the op that artists should be political via the art they make, not via speeches at the Oscars, creative or dull. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/26 "2017-02-05T01:36:43Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Has anyone noticed the correlation between liberal Hollywood activism and declining box office totals? Yes. Surely that’s it. The proliferation of streaming video, the rise of video games, TV’s new on-demand options–none of those are relevant. It’s this sudden rise in liberalism in Hollywood, unknown before the last decade or so, that’s responsible! The decline is mostly among millennials and teenagers, an audience known for their super-conservative views, who are no doubt angry at all these Hollywood liberals. I await your research, man–this is brilliant stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/27 "2017-02-05T01:45:51Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > If I were a Hollywood producer I think I’d be thinking very carefully about casting an outspoken agitator for liberal causes in any movie I was financing. Of course most of them are probably liberal in their politics too, and given that concern for or even cognizance of the consequences of their actions is hardly a liberal hallmark, it’s quite possible that Hollywood producers are as unconcerned over the fallout of their actors’ liberal evangelism as are the actors themselves. They’re already rich. If by being honest and pissing off the deplorables they are not a bit more rich, I’m sure they can live with that. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/28 "2017-02-05T01:47:41Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Methinks a game might be afoot. What time tonight does Trump make the first tweet calling someone fat or ugly? What time does it start? That -20 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/29 "2017-02-05T01:49:51Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > I’m not looking forward to one acceptance speech after another being, “I’d like to thank God, my agent and my parents; Trump is Hitler; goodnight.” Different strokes. I think that would be hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/30 "2017-02-05T01:53:41Z")
[Moderating] Y’know, while this does touch on the Oscars, it’s really more about Trump, opinions of Trump, ramifications of those opinions, and so on. Off to GD. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/31 "2017-02-05T02:20:06Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Indeed, there may well be concern that failing to do so will have negative career consequences. Criticizing Trump in acceptance speeches may become like wearing a ribbon. Exactly. “Did you see George Clooney applauded my speech! I’m on the board, man!” _I’m sick of Trump-bashing._ I don’t see what good it does. I especially don’t see the point in preaching to the choir that is the crowd at the Kodak Theater. Also, not everyone nominated for an Oscar is rich. Not everyone in the film industry is rich. Think the people nominated for Best Animated Short are rolling in it? Not all actors are rich, either. Someone nominated for Best Supporting might have gotten 50 grand for that job, which was their breakthrough role. Well, ten percent of that goes to their agent, then there’s taxes, and a lot of what’s left might have to go towards paying off debts they accrued earlier. Even producers are not necessarily set for life. Not every production company is Paramount; some of them operate on a very thin margin, and plenty have gone bankrupt. The people you see on magazine covers are that visible 10% of the iceberg. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/32 "2017-02-05T02:35:31Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > Exactly. “Did you see George Clooney applauded my speech! I’m on the board, man!” _I’m sick of Trump-bashing._ I don’t see what good it does. I especially don’t see the point in preaching to the choir that is the crowd at the Kodak Theater. Get used to it. It’s not “business as usual” anymore. A certifiable lunatic has been elected by our fellow citizens to a job he’s completely unsuited for. And it’s an important job to boot. He will be bashed morning, noon, and night for the next two to four years (as long as he holds his current post) He will be bashed from the rooftops and from the canyons, and on the beaches, and across the great plains. The “good it does” is constantly remind anyone who will listen that we will not pretend this is normal, or even close to normal. This is a defining moment in the history of our great nation, and we must choose sides. Every opportunity to bash him matters until he is gone. I’m sorry if that may get tiring to those who voted for him, but they have only themselves to blame. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/33 "2017-02-05T03:14:16Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Has anyone noticed the correlation between liberal Hollywood activism and declining box office totals? > > You know, given that Hollywood has taken to routinely pissing off half the country for some time now? Meh, Disney’s Zootopia’s very clear message of tolerance, inclusion and to not fall for prejudice was even identified by my niece as being something all should learn so as to counter the divisive message coming from Trump. It made 1.024 billion USD world wide, more than 350 million domestically. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/34 "2017-02-05T04:15:22Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > H Of course most of them are probably liberal in their politics too, and given that concern for or even cognizance of the consequences of their actions is hardly a liberal hallmark, it’s quite possible that Hollywood producers are as unconcerned over the fallout of their actors’ liberal evangelism as are the actors themselves. not “cognizance of the consequences”? I’ll have you know, as I have it on perfect authority from some TrumpenJugend, that the Studios are all part of a millennia old conspiracy of Zionism, Jesus Killing, and profit, and nothing they do is the slightest misstep toward that end! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/35 "2017-02-05T04:29:47Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > If I were a Hollywood producer I think I’d be thinking very carefully about casting an outspoken agitator for liberal causes in any movie I was financing. Of course most of them are probably liberal in their politics too, and given that concern for or even cognizance of the consequences of their actions is hardly a liberal hallmark, it’s quite possible that Hollywood producers are as unconcerned over the fallout of their actors’ liberal evangelism as are the actors themselves. Every post a paragon of projection… ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/36 "2017-02-05T05:30:32Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Has anyone noticed the correlation between liberal Hollywood activism and declining box office totals?.. If I were a Hollywood producer I think I’d be thinking very carefully about casting an outspoken agitator for liberal causes in any movie I was financing… I think I figured out what’s wrong with this country. We have people with attitudes like this, and they vote. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/37 "2017-02-05T06:13:03Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Has anyone noticed the correlation between liberal Hollywood activism and declining box office totals? No, I have been unable to make that brilliant connection. > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > You know, given that Hollywood has taken to routinely pissing off half the country for some time now? I doubt that movie attendance is heavily influenced by something that the actor(s) did or did not opine at some awards ceremony. You might also note that major movie releases are global. There actually is a whole world out there outside the borders of the USA, and most of it is very “liberal” compared to the rednecks who support Trump. Most rational people are a lot more concerned that Trump has already pissed off many of those countries, foes and allies alike, than about what a Hollywood actor says at an acceptance speech. > [@Rilchiam](#): > > _I’m sick of Trump-bashing._ I don’t see what good it does. You don’t see value in the First Amendment and in the exercise of those rights in speaking out against dangerously ignorant and flagrantly dishonest leadership? Perhaps you will if it no longer becomes possible to do so. > [@digs](#): > > I think I figured out what’s wrong with this country. We have people with attitudes like this, and they vote. +1 ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/38 "2017-02-05T07:06:04Z")
If people don’t want celebrities to be expressing political opinions, they should stop electing them president. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/39 "2017-02-05T08:02:39Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > You don’t see value in the First Amendment and in the exercise of those rights in speaking out against dangerously ignorant and flagrantly dishonest leadership? Perhaps you will if it no longer becomes possible to do so. Yeah, but there’s a time and a place for everything. Besides, I get it. People hate Trump. Do they think he’s going to resign if they say it enough? ---
**Author:** ![Hiker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3be4f8/32.png) [@Hiker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hiker)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973/40 "2017-02-05T08:07:08Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Has anyone noticed the correlation between liberal Hollywood activism and declining box office totals? Where are you getting that from? According to [Box Office Mojo](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/?view2=domestic&view=releasedate&p=.htm) the total domestic gross on the box office in 2016 was the highest ever, up 2.2% from 2015 (which had been the highest ever thus far). So by your logic surely that means “liberal Hollywood activism” is at an all time low? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973.md?page=3)