Any political opinions aside, every time I choose to watch/not watch an actor in a movie my opinion of them comes into play. And, my opinion is almost always affected by their opinions on issues and by others opinions on them. Take late-night talk shows. Not only do the actors/actresses get a chance to promote their movies, but in their conversations, you learn more about them and their opinions on issues. The next time I look at moive times, then, I may think that a movie sounds kind of iffy, remember that the lead actor soudned like a pretty cool funny guy on Letterman the other night, and decide to go. I don't care what Sean Penn's opinions on the war are. But I do think he's a douche for thinking that I care, which makes me think less of him, really, and further dampen any desire I'd have to see a movie he's in. If these guys want to not see actors movies because of thier stance on the war, what's the problem. If you wrote an editorial about your stance for war in your regular movie review slot, I'd probably go to your reviews less often.
The Gallup Poll said 87% of Americans won't change their mind based on any celebrity's comments, 73% said anti-war celebs are not 'anti-American', but 64% think they should shut up. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/20030228/en_usatoday/4907489 I find it annoying the way some of the celebrities act like their opinion is some big deal, but I don't think that it's 'wrong' (other than unique issues like the hypocrite streisand and SUVs). I imagine that most just want to speak out for what they believe. Can they help it that the media will report their opinions and not ours? I think it could be anti-American (and no, I've never used that term on this board, ever) to try to punish them for voicing their opinions. It's not that serious an issue though, IMO; I doubt that it will have much effect (yet)
What if during your next interview your interviewer pulls out a picture of you in the newspaper, in a demonstration supporting the war (or whatever), and asks you what that was all about. You don't get the job. How will you feel not getting a job because of what you believed so strongly that you took time to protest...and in a democracy?
The plumber/racist T-shirt isn't a good example because in that case, the plumber is expressing his political view while doing his job. You would then have every right to say "Hey, not on my time and not in my home." The only way actors could do something similar is if they wore T-shirts during their shows that expressed their political view or if they (*shudder*) used a segment of the show to give a lecture on their beliefs. As long as the actors aren't doing this (and regardless of their ideology, they better not start), I don't think attempts to jeopardize their jobs are very fair. However, it's definitely anyone's right not to watch an actor for any reason.
I like JayZ's post. Who cares if anyone has changed their mind? Maybe that just shows how unimportant these people's views are, and further proof that they need to keep their mouths shut. It's more the idea that these people have an outlet to put their views out there that normal people don't have, and if people don't like what they have to say, it comes with the territory. Besides, it IS affecting people. People that disagree with them and have to sit there and watch them spout off without being challenged. They're basically coming into your home and preaching to you. How is it unreasonable to be ticked off by that? I don't get the objection to this.
I like Cohen's post. So you'd have no problem TheFreak if a future employer somehow knew of your political beliefs, and didn't hire you because of them? Or is it only actors that fall under this kind of scrutiny because the media does this? Would you keep your mouth shut on something you believed in strongly if you happened to be famous? Do you have any problem with Charlton Heston?
Please let me know when the 50s get here again, so I can buy lots of Coca Cola stock and bet a ton of money on the Brooklyn Dodgers winning the 1955 World Series.
Who cares if anyone has changed their mind? Maybe that just shows how unimportant these people's views are, and further proof that they need to keep their mouths shut. So only important people should be able to speak their opinion?
You're comparing the movie business to any other business. Why would my public image or private views affect my ability to clean toilets, flip burgers, fix cars, create webpages, etc.? It wouldn't! However the public image of an actor definitely affects the ability to draw crowd and thus, make money. Bottom line, there is absolutely nothing wrong with people refusing to give money to someone they don't like or someone they don't agree with, which is essentially what people would be doing by going to see one of these actor's movies. If a movie producer doesn't cast someone simply because he disagrees with their views, then that is wrong. But chances are the movie producer doesn't give a **** about the actor's views, and is just interested in how much money the actor will make him or her. If it's a choice between a well-respected actor and someone who half of the public despises, who do you think they're going to choose?
I agree with that DCKid, but what if an employer didn't want to pay money to someone who disagreed with them on an issue that was very important to them? Let's say the only issue Major was passionate about was abortion rights. What if he didn't want to hire me once he found out I was staunchly pro-life, even though it had no bearing on my ability to do the job? Either way, someone's career or chance to earn a living is being hurt because they disagree with someone on an issue.
Classic Heston, paraphrasing The reason for gun violence in America is because of the different ethinicities
Then it would definitely be wrong, but I don't see how that applies to anything relating to this topic.
Because in my mind, it's what's happening right now. Indirectly, television/movie viewers pay for an actors salary If you're protesting them by boycotting, then your possibly costing them their careers and/or possible money earned. To me, it's pretty much the same thing as a potential employer saying they don't want to hire you because of a certain political view.
What does this have to do with anything? Who isn't getting hired here? Should I have a problem with Heston? I don't have a problem with people having a problem with him though. I still watch the West Wing. I don't have a problem with someone not wanting to watch it though. What's your point?
