Fox Corp has come under fire by Hollywood and other media because of its censorship during the Emmy Awards Show. Both Sally Field’s acceptance speech and the entire speech of Kathy Griffin were just two examples of celebrities who felt the censorship of Fox tycoon Rupert Murdoch.
It is always been amazing to me to watch Hollywood portray themselves as experts on political issues, Christianity and religious issues as well as local issues in other states. How are they qualified again? Oh yeah, if they are good actors, then they know right from wrong concerning the direction of people’s personal lives or, better yet, the future of the country.
As a former journalist, the freedom of speech has always been an issue that I deal with. At my college, it was a topic debated quite often. I remember one time hearing a journalist from CNN talk at my college who said that as news came across the wire sometimes it was in red ink. That was the material they were allowed to report-everything else was censored for security reasons as a nation.
I remember being young and naïve and actually thinking, "How dare our country censor news?" Now I think, how dare they not. There is so much in our day and age that we honestly shouldn’t know, despite whatever free speech rights we think we have.
But let's get back on track. The Emmys censored Sally Field as she took the Lord’s name in vain as well as went on a political soapbox against the Iraq War. People are accusing conservative Murdoch as having a political motive for censoring her.
I think this was a live show. Murdoch had no clue what she was going to say before she began talking. I think in order to protect his network from FCC fines, etc., he made a gut decision to shut off her mic (or, more likely, the director of the show made the decision). Is that wrong? I think not. Really, Canadian television played her entire speech. Field's response to being censored was that she will just go say it somewhere else. Of course, she will.
Kathy Griffin, who has been a controversy since she released her reality show, was also not shown during her acceptance speech. She had some derogatory remarks about Jesus. She said that most people get up there and thank Jesus, but she could “honestly say" Jesus had the least amount to do with her winning the award.
I guess my concern for all this is why does Hollywood believe they can piss off half of their viewing audiences with their political and social views? They complain that no one is watching movies or TV anymore. Why would they?
I, for one, am so tired of hearing them lecture me about right and wrong. Then make movies on these same issues so that I can be lectured more. Again, I ask: How are they qualified to tell me what is right?
They complain because people don’t watch them. I think as viewers we can appreciate the talent of acting. What I don’t believe is that as they open their mouth more and more about what is right, that I can still look at a movie and just see their talent. I can’t separate the character from the person. Add to that, more and more political movies and what actor or movie is worth the high ticket price anymore?
I have a hard time watching Tom Cruise because I honestly see him as a Scientology nutcase. I can’t watch Russell Crowe let alone Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins for all their political viewpoints. Then there are some people who can’t watch Mel Gibson anymore after his remarks to the police officer.
My view is that Hollywood could use a little more censorship. Keep your mouth shut and do your job. If you want us to respect you, see your movies or support your endeavors-keep your mouth shut! No one has asked your opinion so don’t offend half the country speaking out of turn!
