Watch out, Hollywood: The Republicans are invading!
You may think of David Zucker as one of those uproarious Zucker brothers who made the "Airplane!" and "Naked Gun" movies. But Hollywood conservatives look upon Zucker as their Paul Revere, their Gen. George Patton, their Oliver North ... any uncompromising, right-thinking warrior type will do.
In recent years, Zucker has become one of the most outspoken voices in showbiz conservative circles who believes that Hollywood is in "a new McCarthy era" because of its hostility to conservative views. He's also convinced that Democrats are weak, foreign-policy appeaseniks. As for Barack Obama, Zucker says: "Obama is not qualified to be president, and it'll be a disaster."
Having already made a series of agitprop videos mocking Madeleine Albright, pro-tax congressional Democrats and the Iraq Study Group, he's now graduated to a feature film spoofing liberals of all stripes and sizes. Called "An American Carol," it will hit theaters in October, released by Vivendi Entertainment's new feature film division. I tried to talk to Zucker myself via his PR people, but didn't get anywhere. However, the new issue of the right-leaning Weekly Standard has a fascinating profile of Zucker, examining his odyssey from ardent Barbara Boxer liberal to flame-throwing Dick Cheney conservative.
The story also offers a treasure trove of excerpts from the film, which lampoons a host of prominent liberals and showbiz types, from Michael Moore to Rosie O'Donnell, with even a couple of jabs directed at Obama. It also features a host of notable Hollywood conservative actors, including Jon Voight, Kelsey Grammer, James Woods and Dennis Hopper. They are clearly not happy to be swimming in a big pond full of lefties. Grammer, who is friends with Ann Coulter, says he once quoted her pearls of wisdom to some young staffers at his company. As the Standard recounts, the reaction was not pretty:
" 'Ann Coulter,' " Grammer says, recalling their horror and assuming their voice. " 'She's the anti-Christ.' And I said, 'What the f--- do you know about the anti-Christ? You don't even believe in Christ.' "
So how much do Hollywood liberals take it on the chin in the movie? Let's say--plenty:
As the Weekly Standard describes it:
The film follows the exploits of a slovenly, anti-American filmmaker named Michael Malone, who has joined with a left-wing activist group (Moovealong.org) to ban the Fourth of July. Along the way, Malone is visited by the ghosts of three American heroes--George Washington, George S. Patton and John F. Kennedy--who try to convince him he's got it all wrong. When terrorists from Afghanistan realize that they need to recruit more operatives to make up for the ever-diminishing supply of suicide bombers, they begin a search for just the right person to help produce a new propaganda video.
"This will not be hard to find in Hollywood," says one. "They all hate America." When they settle on Malone, who is in need of work after his last film ("Die You American Pigs") bombed at the box-office, he unwittingly helps them with their plans to launch another attack on American soil.
OK, so subtlety was never Zucker's strong suit, even back in the "Naked Gun" days. He's cast Kevin Farley, Chris Farley's little brother, to play Michael Moore--ahem--Malone. Woods plays Malone's agent. Voight plays George Washington. Hopper is a judge who defends his courthouse by gunning down ACLU lawyers trying to take down the Ten Commandments.
The film also has a chubby comedian named Rosie O'Connell who's promoting a documentary, "The Truth About Radical Christians," which, among other things, examines the growing phenomenon of nuns as suicide bombers--showing two nuns, strapped with explosives, boarding a bus and inspiring fellow passengers to shriek, "Oh, no! Not the Christians!"
Will this stuff play in Peoria? Can conservatives truly be funny? I'm eager to see if the film is, well, slightly less didactic than the way the Standard describes it. Maybe Zucker hasn't lost his touch. On the other hand, maybe he's become just as humorless and sanctimonious as Barbra Streisand. At the end of the piece he says: "I don't have any desire to be taken seriously. But having said that, I really believe this stuff. Why can't I put it out there. I'm scared to death of Obama. If I didn't do something about it, I would feel--my kids would ask: `What did you do in the war Daddy?' [My answer]: I donated my career to stop this s---."
Does Zucker still have a funny bone? Here's one of his satiric videos from the 2006 campaign. Judge for yourself:
Photo of David Zucker by Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times



Finally somebody with the necessary backbone to stand up to the mega liberals in hollyweird. Go Zucker!
Posted by: s. Chaidez | August 08, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Liberal Hollywood has done a great job of perverting America. Enough already!
Posted by: s. Chaidez | August 08, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Oh, Alex Garcia. You slay me. The fact you can state that people have no reason to believe Obama is unfit to be President just shows YOU don't have the facts. You probably read his book, too. The pathetic attempt at insulting the people who live or work in Palmdale or the "bowels" of the Valley shows your true colors as a Westside elitist who never passes the 405 without holding his nose. Frankly, I'd elect anyone who is qualified. And no, I don't like McCain either so sorry to burst your bubble. Obama has three years of experience in NOT being a leader. Never a mayor, never a governor, never a leader. Not to mention he's a Chicago Democrat which means I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. And yes, I am from Chicago. Every time I hear a liberal use the word "fact" I just laugh to myself and repeat Larry Elder "Facts to a Liberal are like Kryptonite to Superman". Thanks for the laugh.
Posted by: Angela | August 08, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Ahhh, it's so nice to be Canadian. We have multiple parties to vote for, if a party is out of control we can call a no confidence vote and get a new election to remove them from power. Don't get me wrong we have lots of problems with our system, but why do you have religious and patriotic tests but think electing an "elite" person is a bad thing? Your dems are more like the rest of the west's conservatives and your neo-conservatives are like Iran's thoecrats.
Posted by: Nathan | August 08, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Jon Voight, Kelsey Grammer, James Woods and Dennis Hopper. Box office gold right there.. Ahahahahaha. Almost as funny as the numbnuts commenter who thinks Larry David is conservative. Zucker isn't funny he's paranoid. You right-wingers already sent Bush to ruin Washington, now you've got your man Zucker making a mockery of Hollywood with this embarrassingly lame and completely failed attempt at humor. What's next on your list of 'things that make America great' that you want to destroy?
Posted by: Gladiator Movies | August 08, 2008 at 01:45 PM
And I said, 'What the f--- do you know about the anti-Christ? You don't even believe in Christ.' "
Yes, Mr. Grammar the Christian, with his f-bombs and a Swiss Alps of cocaine on his coffee table. You are righteous, brother. I feel bad for whoever has to work for that douche wrapper.
Posted by: Lilith | August 08, 2008 at 01:50 PM
"Collision" between entertainment, media and pop culture? More like a cabal between entertainment, media and pop culture. Good on ya, Zucker. Pee in Hollywood's liberal punchbowl!
Posted by: Leah | August 08, 2008 at 09:42 PM
The libs on this site are hilarious.
Posted by: KansasGirl | August 09, 2008 at 03:09 AM
This was the best Zucker could do for stinging satire? Come on.
Posted by: cinnamon barks | August 09, 2008 at 07:12 AM
As a midwesterner looking at this piece and, of course, getting the 'hollywood liberal' bashing pushed down my throat every time I turn the so-called news on, I'd just like to say that any attack on someone merely for their political views is assinine. Whether it's republican or democratic views, I can turn off anything and anyone I don't want to listen to; although, listening to opposing views is necessary. This kind of bashing of specific people really burns me. Whether it's Chuck Norris or Barbra, who cares? Why do these people find it so necessary to 'try to be funny' by making fun of someone who's just saying what they believe in? The votes will still be counted and people will still vote for who they believe is the best leader. I only hope that this time the votes will be counted in a timely manner so we don't have to live through a president who was never really elected in the first place! (P.S. I'm proud to say I had nothing to do with him winning the second time around either- and, I'm a Christian who really can't stand Ann Coulter. I hope now that I've broken your stereotype of the conservative midwest.)
Posted by: Tina | August 09, 2008 at 08:50 AM