Bill Maher made an incredibly strong case Friday night that Hollywood is ruining itself by sorting actors into narrow alleys based on their heritage, sexual orientation, identity, and more.
The “Real Time” host made his point and, frankly, you have to listen to him because it goes straight to the heart…that casting directors are now taking inspiration from casting cops.
He sets out his case beginning with John Leguizamowho was in disbelief James Franco was chosen to play Fidel Castro, saying “No more Hollywood appropriation… Boycott! It’s done.” Bill noted that John, a Colombian actor, is not Venetian but he played one…not a little Frenchman or an Italian plumber…but yes, he played them too.
As he says, “people become actors to spend their lives not being who they are”.
He notes Sean Penn won an Oscar for playing a gay activist Harvey Milk … it was once considered brave … now it’s the opposite.
Eddie Redmayne played a transgender woman, but he now calls it a mistake. Bill asks if the logical conclusion to this is that transgender people can only play transgender people, but that’s clearly not something they would want.
Ditto heterosexuals who play gay… something Tom Hank says he’s sorry now. So, can homosexuals play an outright romantic role? The idea is to get rid of prejudices, not roles, and for that allies are needed.
About Hanks… should he have played Forrest Gump, who was mentally challenged?
Real Time with Bill Maher/HBO
On a different, hilarious — and we mean hilarious — note, check out Bill’s take on what the FBI seized at Mar-a-Lago. It’s completely hysterical!