Hollywood Conservatives Encouraged to Come Out of the Closet

Actor Kelsey Grammer is a conservative.

A once-timid group of social outcasts is emerging from the shadows in Hollywood. If the past year is any indication, Tinseltown may have to get accustomed to the loud presence of a growing minority.

After years of silence, conservatives are coming out of the closet.

Andrew Breitbart, the conservative founder of Breitbart.com and author of "Hollywood Interrupted: Insanity Chic in Babylon," is launching a Web site he hopes will help challenge the status quo in what he believes has been a one-party, left-tilting town. Set to debut on Jan. 6, "Big Hollywood" will be a place where center, right and libertarian-leaning celebrities and industry-insiders can weigh in on Hollywood politics, offer film, television and movie reviews, and have an open forum for political discussion.

"Our goal," says Breitbart, who lives in Los Angeles, "is to create an atmosphere of tolerance — something that does not exist in this town."

Breitbart has invited a number of conservative politicians, commentators and journalists to write regularly about the cult of celebrity, liberalism in popular culture, and politics. Among the names who will be contributing, he says, are Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va), political commentator Tucker Carlson, and former Tennessee Senator and Republican presidential contender Fred Thompson.. 

The site will also feature the punditry of some well-known Hollywood actors, directors, producers, and writers, Breitbart says.

As celebrities like Jon Voight, Gary Sinise, Charlton Heston, Patricia Heaton, Stephen Baldwin and Kelsey Grammer came out publicly with their political ideas over the past few years, the news that there were, in fact, conservatives in Hollywood, had many wondering who would be next.

Recently, there have been rumors that Robert Downey Jr. is a closet Republican, though his publicist will neither confirm nor deny it, saying only, "We unfortunately have no comment, as RDJ does not comment on political matters."

But Breitbart says the goal of Big Hollywood is not to "out" conservative celebrities, and he will not pressure celebrities like Downey to jump into the fray. He says conservative celebs who aren't comfortable with full transparency will be allowed to write under an alias.

"I want them to come on their own volition," he says. "'Big Hollywood is going to have to be a compelling daily read that speaks to Hollywood conservatives' unique burden before some will stick their necks out and choose to speak up for what they believe."

Sticking their necks out has not always been good for business. Mark Vafiades, president of the Hollywood Congress of Republicans, says, "I'm hoping that one day politics won't make a difference in Hollywood. But because there is still subtle intolerance here, conservatives remain somewhat shy.

"If you come to an audition wearing a Bush or McCain button, the casting director will most likely pick another actor. Just being on a set you hear people bashing Bush and the right, because they assume everyone agrees."

Some have suggested the purported anti-conservative tilt in Hollywood is overstated — if it exists at all. Perez Hilton, the self-proclaimed "Queen of All Media" and author of his eponymous gossip site, said, "I think Hollywood is very tolerant. They may mock you for your political beliefs, but at least they'll do it to your face!

"It won't ever interfere with people getting a job. Kelsey Grammer still works!"

But some conservatives in the entertainment industry say there may not be a literal blacklist in Hollywood, but there is pressure to keep silent.

"Conservatives don't necessarily have to be covert about their politics, but in many cases they are because the liberals aren't fair and balanced towards those with differing points of view," says Jerry Molen, the Oscar-winning producer of big Hollywood hits like "Schindler's List," "Jurassic Park" and "Rain Man."

"In too many cases, conservatives are immediately labeled racist, homophobic, bigoted, hateful, demonic, or even un-American without the benefit of debate, and are locked out of the hiring process, with a few exceptions."

But the doors may be slowly opening "An American Carol," a conservative parody that lampooned liberal Hollywood this year, galvanized conservative celebrities like Robert Davi, Dennis Hopper, Kevin Farley, Voight and Grammer, all of whom had roles in the film.

And conservative film festivals, including the American Film Renaissance and the Liberty Film Festival, have also helped bring to market conservative projects that a few years ago might have had a difficult time getting made.

Some industry insiders credit John McCain with helping to embolden Hollywood conservatives during this year's presidential election. Andrew Klavan, a conservative author and screenwriter of psychological thrillers including True Crime and Don't Say A Word, said, "For people who had a lot to lose, McCain gave them some cover. He wasn't a true Republican like Bush was. He was someone even the left liked, whereas Bush was demonized. Hollywood conservatives could support McCain without necessarily supporting the GOP."

Klavan suggested that a spate of recent political movies like "Rendition" and "Redaction" also strengthened the conservative cause.

"These movies are genuinely anti-American. Never before have we had anti-war movies made while our troops were at war. Many people like me were ashamed of the industry, and there's been a bit of a backlash."

Vafiades says increasing numbers of conservatives have joined his organization in the past year, and more organizations like his are sprouting up.

But hush-hush groups like "Friends of Abe," a secretive society of Hollywood conservatives, still operate well under the radar. And the increased spotlight on conservative celebrities has not changed the political climate as much as Breitbart, Vafiades, Molen and Klavan would like.

They say liberal celebrities still have an easier time "being political" than conservatives do.

"Sean Penn is out dancing with dictators, and no one gives him flak. Instead they give him Oscar nominations," says Klavan. "Jon Voight may have some semblance of job security, but he still has to be careful about what he says."

Monday, January 05, 2009

By SE Cupp

The Jonas Brothers

THEY are pals with the world’s most powerful man, President GEORGE W BUSH.

They have sold more than two million records worldwide. They are committed virgins

They are the JONAS BROTHERS, the biggest pop phenomenon on the planet right now.

You may not be fully aware of American siblings KEVIN, 20, JOE, 19, and NICK, 15. If not, ask your young kids.

With a raft of Disney-backed movies, TV shows and computer games in the pipeline starring the trio, soon you will not be able to avoid the Jonas Brothers.

Rhe e three boys were raised in a deeply conservative Christian household in New Jersey and have incorporated their devotion to the Almighty into a staggeringly successful career in the notoriously moral-free music industry.

All currently single, the wholesome trio are focused on their work and determined not to let lusting after girls interfere with their bid for global domination.

Kevin says: “We love to date, we really do, but it’s almost impossible with our schedule.

“We’re on the road at least 265 days a year so forming any significant relationship with someone is too difficult.”

Frustratingly for the millions of early-teenage girls who make up the majority of their fan base, Kevin adds: “We really wouldn’t want a girl we dated to be a fan.”

Their fundamentalist Christian faith has also led them to vow not to have pre-marital sex. They all wear “purity rings” to signify their commitment to their promise.

The trend started in America in the early Nineties and sprang from Christian-affiliated sexual abstinence groups.

Millions of purity rings are worn by devout US Christian teens on the left ring finger. The ring is only removed when it is replaced with a wedding band.  Kevin explains: “The rings are a constant reminder to live a life with values.

“It’s a personal thing. Chastity is an interesting term. Wearing these rings is a private decision we made.

“It’s a constant reminder, like putting a string around your finger to remember to wash your car or take your dog for a walk.”  They have received bashing from Hollywood. Much of his Jonas-bashing is unrepeatable but it reached a crescendo of crudeness with a reference to the US President’s imminent departure from the White House.

While they won’t go out of their way to fit Hollywood Liberals into their busy schedules, the boys do make exceptions for the US President. The trio have performed at the White House three times and are becoming regulars in the Oval Office. Kevin reveals: “President Bush is a really cool guy. “He knows the lyrics to our songs and the last time we were there he was quoting them all back to us. He told me he really liked a pair of pink shoes I was wearing one time I visited.” 

The Jonas Brothers are spearheading a British invasion which is masterminded by the Disney machine.  string of clean-living and groomed artists such as MILEY CYRUS, HILARY DUFF and VANESSA HUDGENS have made waves since finding fame in Disney films such as High School Musical.

The youngsters all release their music through the Disney-backed Hollywood Records.

The Jonas Brothers are the latest in that line. Their first movie, Camp Rock, became the Disney Channel’s most watched non-sequel film when it premiered early this year.

Its UK premiere was held at London’s Royal Festival Hall this week and the boys were greeted by hundreds of screaming girls.

There is a list of new projects in the offing, including a reality TV show, comedy series, a 3D film and even a computer game.

Kevin says: “Our dreams are coming true. Whatever success comes is really just an honour.

“In the next year we will finish our TV show, do a couple of movies, including Camp Rock 2, then hit the overall world tour, which will include all markets.”

Not bad going for a band who, just 18 months ago, were staring into oblivion after being dumped by previous recording label Columbia Records.

Kevin explains: “There were definitely moments when we weren’t sure if we could continue doing this. I started making music when I was young but I never thought I would do anything with my brothers.

“Three years ago we got signed to Columbia but they got rid of us fairly quickly. That was a horrible time. We came close to giving up.

“We moved over to Hollywood Records and it’s been this huge upward curve ever since.”

The trio’s first release under Hollywood Records, a self-titled album, has sold an astonishing 1.4million copies worldwide.

Its follow-up, A Little Bit Longer, which comes out in the UK on Monday, has already shifted more than a million copies in their homeland.

The operation is a genuine family affair. Their pastor father, KEVIN JONAS SNR, manages them.

Mom DENISE, a sign language teacher, follows them on the road, as does their seven-year old brother FRANKIE, who is known as “Bonus Jonas”.

Now boys, remember you’re wearing those purity rings...