issue #8 : the new hollywood blacklist
Let's talk about the Melissa Barrera/Susan Sarandon situation...
Hi everyone,
Another one! This week we are talking about the new Hollywood blacklist and speaking up for what you believe in.
The news this week, really truly floored me. We have seen reports recently of people losing their jobs due to their Pro-Palestine posts being framed as antisemitic or hate speech. However, I don’t know if I was living in a bubble but it just felt like few and far between. But this week saw two big names dealing with this.
Firstly actress Melissa Barrera from the Scream franchise was fired from the next instalment due to her views on Palestine and her calling it a genocide. What is this defamatory comment that she said?? Well…according to Variety (take this with a glass of salt), “due to her social media posts that referred to Israel as a “colonized” land and floated an antisemitic trope that Jews control the media, writing: “Western media only shows the [Israeli] side. Why do they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself.”
Idk about you but that feels like a reach.
Spyglass, the production company behind the franchise said: “We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”
At the same time, Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon has also been dropped by her talent agency, UTA because of her support for Palestine.
The news also reported that big time talent manager Maha Dakmil was saved from getting the ax by her company, CAA by Tom Cruise who went out to back for her. She posted on Instagram, “What’s more heartbreaking than witnessing genocide? Witnessing the denial that genocide is happening.” Reports say that big name clients like Aaron Sorkin left the agency because of this, and Steven Spielberg is no longer managed by her.
People losing their job in any industry because they are standing up for human rights is terrifying, but in Hollywood particularly it feels a little like history is repeating itself here. Especially, the history of the Hollywood Blacklist.
What’s the Hollywood blacklist?
During the Cold War, mainly between 1947 and 1960, a selection of actors, screenwriters, directors, musicians and other entertainment industry members were barred from working for studios because they were considered to be communists or communist sympathisers.
While some of those accused were members of the Communist party. It became a sort of witch hunt for the government to go after anyone whose politics were left leaning or who supported trade unions and equal rights. It ended up in many artists losing their livelihood (Trumbo is a great film about this), it greatly contributed to the death of John Garfield, and affected the way the studio system moved forward.
What’s different this time around?
Seeing the way actors like Melissa Barrera and Susan Sarandon have been treated is very reminiscent in how the HUAC (House of UnAmerican Activities Council) kept stars of the 40s-60s quiet with their witch hunt. BUT what I will say is that this might go the same way as before.
Firstly, Hollywood is no longer ruled by the studio system. While there are studios with a lot of power, they do not own every aspect of the entertainment business. In the same way, independent films are more prevalent, there are millions of ways to make money off content from YouTube, to TikTok etc.
Secondly, social media has really changed the game. Not only are people able to see the atrocities that have been committed by the Israeli government, up close and not just through the media, they are also able to speak to journalists and Palestinians on the ground.
Social media movements have risen up, we have seen marches and demonstrations throughout the world. After various American politicians and celebrities claimed that TikTok was causing people to become ‘anti-Semitic’, TikTok responded by saying that this was not the fault of their algorithm, young people are just more pro-Palestine.
So what now?
More professional people need to stand up for their colleagues being fired for speaking out. We need to boycott projects where artists have been fired. And work to make safe spaces where people can always stand up for injustice. I look forward to supporting all Melissa, Susan, the Hadid’s and all the others projects going forward.
xoxo
Caryn
Everything I watched this week:
The Crown S6 Part 1 - I have been a diehard fan of The Crown for years but these last two seasons have just been so disappointing. It feels as if the show is pandering to the RF and setting up Charles to be the hero and it is also just not as good as it used to be. You can read my full review for News24 here.
Sex and the City 2 - I hated it. Carrie and Big’s nonsense again. Very racist and islamophobic nonsense in Abu Dhabi. The dialogue was cringe. Shouldn't have existed tbh.
Here’s what you missed in the news:
Entertainment/pop culture
Calling all Love is Blind fans! Bliss Poureetezadi and Zack Goytowski from season 4 are expecting a baby!
Ex-Bad Boy executive Harve Pierre has been accused of sexual assault.
Guns and Roses frontman Axl Rose has been accused of rape.
BBC’s Top Gear has paused production for the foreseeable future after Freddie Flintoff’s crash.
The Billboard Music Awards took place this week with Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen taking home the most awards.
FBI’s Shantel VanSanten who plays Nina Chase will be moving to FBI: Most Wanted for season 5.
Shows that have been renewed this week: Unprisoned for season 2; Black Mirror for season 7.
Shows that have been cancelled or are ending: Blue Bloods after season 7; La Brea after season 3; The Muppets Mayhem after season 2; Miracle Workers after season 5; as well as The Horror of Dolores Roach; Accidentally, With Love; and Harlan Corben’s Shelter.
Hill Harper who plays Marcus Andrews in The Good Doctor is leaving the show after season 7 to run for the actual Senate.
Superman: Legacy has added new cast members: Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, and Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen.
Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan are teaming up to find the next Karate Kid.
Jenna Ortega has also left Scream VII but (apparently) it’s because of the Wednesday shooting schedule. Sure it is.
K-pop group BlackPink received honorary MBE’s from King Charles.
Legendary band Hall & Oates are beefing with Darryl Hall getting a restraining order against John Oates.
Jamie Foxx has been accused of sexual assault.
The White Lotus stars Meghann Fahy and Leo Woodall have confirmed their romance.
The internet’s fave bf Logan Lerman is engaged.
Daisy Jones and the Six actor Sebastian Chacon has been accused of sexual assault by three women.
Paris Hilton has announced the birth of her second child, a girl called London. How aptly named???
Tiffany Haddish has been arrested for a DUI after allegedly falling asleep behind the wheel.
Fashion & Beauty
Apparently everyone needs to try red velvet makeup.
According to Glamour, honey blonde is the hair colour of 2024.
Here’s what the 2023 tattoo trends are.
Lifestyle
Apparently the latest fitness trends is Moksha yoga. Here’s what it is.
Um, did TikTok breed tattletales who are ruining gossip
Podcast Recap
In case you missed it, we had a special episode of the podcast, chatting about the final season of Never Have I Ever with Faatimah Essack and Leanne Phillipson. We chatted about what worked, what didn’t work, our favourite character arcs, and why we love this show so much.
See you soon!