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Tales From the Left Coast
Aired July 18, 2003 - 15:41 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: When it comes to politics, celebrities are showing candidates the money.
Let's start with Hollywood's most famous Democrat, Barbra Streisand. She's showing the love and sharing the cash with the campaigns of Howard Dean, John Kerry, John Edwards, Dick Gephardt, Bob Graham and Al Sharpton. The candidates left out of Streisand's memories: Joe Lieberman, Carol Moseley Braun, Dennis Kucinich and President Bush.
You want more names, who's giving to whom? Well, the stars seem to like Howard Dean, a few examples: Robin Williams, Janeane Garofalo, Paul Newman, and Bonnie Raitt. These three are fans of John Kerry: Michael J. Fox, Charlize Theron and Jerry Seinfeld. Ali McGraw, Glenn Frey and Glenn Close have given to John Edwards' campaign. A more electric pair tossed some green at Dick Gephardt, Morgan Freeman and Dweezil Zappa.
And, as you know, President Bush is great at raising money, but you may not know that he's gotten a few thousand from New York Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner, sports announcer Al Michaels, and best-selling historian David McCullough. You'll notice that those last few aren't especially Hollywood.
Now meet news analyst and law professor James Hirsen. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio show on the American Freedom Network and is editor of "The Left Coast Report," a weekly political look at Hollywood. His book, "Tales From the Left Coast: True Stories of Hollywood Stars and Their Outrageous Politics," is moving up fast on "The New York Times" best-sellers list.
James, good to see you.
JAMES HIRSEN, AUTHOR, "TALES FROM THE LEFT COAST": Hey, good to be with you, Kyra. How are you?
PHILLIPS: Very good.
What inspired the book?
HIRSEN: Oh, you know, I've been writing that column for years.
And the amazing thing is, covering the stars in Hollywood, a number of people have contacted me by e-mail, by phone, sometimes approaching me at gatherings, and told me -- they know I'm a conservative -- and said, I have some conservative beliefs. But don't tell anyone, they said. And so, yes, it inspired me to write the book. And amazingly, this book, it went from 22,000 on Amazon to No. 9 in one day.
And now I just found out it's on the "New York Times" best-seller list. And this is without the benefit of a Barbara Walters interview.
(LAUGHTER)
HIRSEN: And so I think it shows a disconnect between most of America and what the Hollywood left and what a lot of the more outspoken Hollywood celebrities are saying.
PHILLIPS: Well, let's give our viewers a taste. Let's talk about some of the outrageous Hollywood stories you've got in the book, a couple tidbits. What are some of your favorites?
HIRSEN: Well, one that really shows -- a theme that goes through my books -- and conservatives have been hit for this -- hypocrisy. And I think that, if you look under a microscope at Hollywood, you see a hyper-hypocrisy.
Here's a town that talks about tolerance about inclusion and harmony, but there are certain people that just aren't on the A list. They learn that you either lean left or you're left out. And I have a tale of the accidental Republican.
(LAUGHTER)
HIRSEN: And that is the beautiful, talented actress Sharon Lawrence from "NYPD Blue." She happened to be in attendance of the inauguration of George W. Bush. And "People" magazine placed her picture, a separate picture, on the same page as George W. And all of a sudden, she started to receive hate mail. People stopped her on the streets in Los Angeles and asked her about her political affiliation.
Even once, at a business meeting, a producer comes up to her and, in somber tones, pulls her aside and says, are you a Republican? Like it's some sort of disease. And so she's -- there's a quote in my book, in "Tales of the Left Coast." It says that, if they even perceive you as a Republican, there could be an excluding reaction and genuine resentment.
And it's really -- I call it vein-popping hatred, because it doesn't sort of fit with the idea of tolerance.
PHILLIPS: Well, why does Hollywood always lean to the left? I'm generalizing here. But, for the most part, they're liberal, Hollywood types.
HIRSEN: Yes. There's a lot of theories.
It could be the botox needles they share. It may be this seminar they've been taking. Anthony Robbins has one: "Awaken the Liberal Within." But, seriously, it has to do partially with, the arts always tend to lean left. And Hollywood has this added element of fame being the lifeblood, and the short life. And it's hard to break in. And people take the safe route. So imagine, Kyra, if you're at a cocktail party, and, at the cocktail party, you say, I think there should be more money spent by the government for poor children. Now, that's an emotional, instantaneous response. It's safe. And so the Hollywood community and particularly those that are trying to break in, take the safe road. And they're dealing in emotion. They're dealing in fiction. And that's a part of it. But it's -- obviously, it's more complicated than just that, but I think that's one of the main reasons.
PHILLIPS: Now, you talk about a Republican closet, also, though, that I noticed in the book.
HIRSEN: Oh, yes.
Well, as I mentioned, you see, there are three categories or more where people are forced into the closet. If you're a patriot, if you're a conservative, if you're a Republican, if you're a person of traditional faith, you're forced into the closet. And, for example, this term -- actually, Charlton Heston said it the first time -- of a closet conservative, some people don't know they're a closet conservative. I actually have tests in the book, "Tales From the Left Coast."
For example, if you have to run in the bathroom until your gagging goes away when somebody suggests Hillary would make a wonderful president, you may be a closet conservative. Or if you have to drive 50 miles outside of Hollywood to get a steak sandwich for lunch, you may be a closet conservative.
But the serious side of that is, recently, I had the opportunity of spending some time with Mel Gibson and actually seeing a film he's putting together. And he has been under this amazing attack from the left in Hollywood, the left in the press and special interest groups. And it's strange, because here's Hollywood. What do they make? They make "Pulp Fiction," "Natural Born Killers." And they make films that have profanity. and that's artistic license. Or children having sex with multiple partners, that's OK.
But a film about Jesus, now, that's way out of line. And this film is about Christ. And it wants to follow the Gospels. And yet there are these people who are all upset and worried about it. And it seems to me, in the context of Hollywood, maybe it would be nice to have a definition of tolerance that respects people who believe in a miraculous, supernatural view of the Gospel and consider it sacred.
PHILLIPS: Well, we've been talking about that movie. That's going to be the next thing we'll have to discuss future-wise.
The book is "Tales From the Left Coast." James Hirsen, thank you so much.
I have to get away with saying something. I know you spent a number of years with the Temptations on the road as their keyboard player. Just quickly, how was that?
HIRSEN: Oh, a wonderful experience. And every law professor should play with the Temptations, I think.
(LAUGHTER)
HIRSEN: And this, by the way, it was during the '70s, when I had to prove my merit. I had to be funky, because there was no Supreme Court decision that mandated that I play with the Temptations.
PHILLIPS: James, we'll talk to you again. Thanks for your time.
HIRSEN: Thank you for having me, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: It was a pleasure.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 18, 2003 - 15:41 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: When it comes to politics, celebrities are showing candidates the money.
Let's start with Hollywood's most famous Democrat, Barbra Streisand. She's showing the love and sharing the cash with the campaigns of Howard Dean, John Kerry, John Edwards, Dick Gephardt, Bob Graham and Al Sharpton. The candidates left out of Streisand's memories: Joe Lieberman, Carol Moseley Braun, Dennis Kucinich and President Bush.
You want more names, who's giving to whom? Well, the stars seem to like Howard Dean, a few examples: Robin Williams, Janeane Garofalo, Paul Newman, and Bonnie Raitt. These three are fans of John Kerry: Michael J. Fox, Charlize Theron and Jerry Seinfeld. Ali McGraw, Glenn Frey and Glenn Close have given to John Edwards' campaign. A more electric pair tossed some green at Dick Gephardt, Morgan Freeman and Dweezil Zappa.
And, as you know, President Bush is great at raising money, but you may not know that he's gotten a few thousand from New York Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner, sports announcer Al Michaels, and best-selling historian David McCullough. You'll notice that those last few aren't especially Hollywood.
Now meet news analyst and law professor James Hirsen. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio show on the American Freedom Network and is editor of "The Left Coast Report," a weekly political look at Hollywood. His book, "Tales From the Left Coast: True Stories of Hollywood Stars and Their Outrageous Politics," is moving up fast on "The New York Times" best-sellers list.
James, good to see you.
JAMES HIRSEN, AUTHOR, "TALES FROM THE LEFT COAST": Hey, good to be with you, Kyra. How are you?
PHILLIPS: Very good.
What inspired the book?
HIRSEN: Oh, you know, I've been writing that column for years.
And the amazing thing is, covering the stars in Hollywood, a number of people have contacted me by e-mail, by phone, sometimes approaching me at gatherings, and told me -- they know I'm a conservative -- and said, I have some conservative beliefs. But don't tell anyone, they said. And so, yes, it inspired me to write the book. And amazingly, this book, it went from 22,000 on Amazon to No. 9 in one day.
And now I just found out it's on the "New York Times" best-seller list. And this is without the benefit of a Barbara Walters interview.
(LAUGHTER)
HIRSEN: And so I think it shows a disconnect between most of America and what the Hollywood left and what a lot of the more outspoken Hollywood celebrities are saying.
PHILLIPS: Well, let's give our viewers a taste. Let's talk about some of the outrageous Hollywood stories you've got in the book, a couple tidbits. What are some of your favorites?
HIRSEN: Well, one that really shows -- a theme that goes through my books -- and conservatives have been hit for this -- hypocrisy. And I think that, if you look under a microscope at Hollywood, you see a hyper-hypocrisy.
Here's a town that talks about tolerance about inclusion and harmony, but there are certain people that just aren't on the A list. They learn that you either lean left or you're left out. And I have a tale of the accidental Republican.
(LAUGHTER)
HIRSEN: And that is the beautiful, talented actress Sharon Lawrence from "NYPD Blue." She happened to be in attendance of the inauguration of George W. Bush. And "People" magazine placed her picture, a separate picture, on the same page as George W. And all of a sudden, she started to receive hate mail. People stopped her on the streets in Los Angeles and asked her about her political affiliation.
Even once, at a business meeting, a producer comes up to her and, in somber tones, pulls her aside and says, are you a Republican? Like it's some sort of disease. And so she's -- there's a quote in my book, in "Tales of the Left Coast." It says that, if they even perceive you as a Republican, there could be an excluding reaction and genuine resentment.
And it's really -- I call it vein-popping hatred, because it doesn't sort of fit with the idea of tolerance.
PHILLIPS: Well, why does Hollywood always lean to the left? I'm generalizing here. But, for the most part, they're liberal, Hollywood types.
HIRSEN: Yes. There's a lot of theories.
It could be the botox needles they share. It may be this seminar they've been taking. Anthony Robbins has one: "Awaken the Liberal Within." But, seriously, it has to do partially with, the arts always tend to lean left. And Hollywood has this added element of fame being the lifeblood, and the short life. And it's hard to break in. And people take the safe route. So imagine, Kyra, if you're at a cocktail party, and, at the cocktail party, you say, I think there should be more money spent by the government for poor children. Now, that's an emotional, instantaneous response. It's safe. And so the Hollywood community and particularly those that are trying to break in, take the safe road. And they're dealing in emotion. They're dealing in fiction. And that's a part of it. But it's -- obviously, it's more complicated than just that, but I think that's one of the main reasons.
PHILLIPS: Now, you talk about a Republican closet, also, though, that I noticed in the book.
HIRSEN: Oh, yes.
Well, as I mentioned, you see, there are three categories or more where people are forced into the closet. If you're a patriot, if you're a conservative, if you're a Republican, if you're a person of traditional faith, you're forced into the closet. And, for example, this term -- actually, Charlton Heston said it the first time -- of a closet conservative, some people don't know they're a closet conservative. I actually have tests in the book, "Tales From the Left Coast."
For example, if you have to run in the bathroom until your gagging goes away when somebody suggests Hillary would make a wonderful president, you may be a closet conservative. Or if you have to drive 50 miles outside of Hollywood to get a steak sandwich for lunch, you may be a closet conservative.
But the serious side of that is, recently, I had the opportunity of spending some time with Mel Gibson and actually seeing a film he's putting together. And he has been under this amazing attack from the left in Hollywood, the left in the press and special interest groups. And it's strange, because here's Hollywood. What do they make? They make "Pulp Fiction," "Natural Born Killers." And they make films that have profanity. and that's artistic license. Or children having sex with multiple partners, that's OK.
But a film about Jesus, now, that's way out of line. And this film is about Christ. And it wants to follow the Gospels. And yet there are these people who are all upset and worried about it. And it seems to me, in the context of Hollywood, maybe it would be nice to have a definition of tolerance that respects people who believe in a miraculous, supernatural view of the Gospel and consider it sacred.
PHILLIPS: Well, we've been talking about that movie. That's going to be the next thing we'll have to discuss future-wise.
The book is "Tales From the Left Coast." James Hirsen, thank you so much.
I have to get away with saying something. I know you spent a number of years with the Temptations on the road as their keyboard player. Just quickly, how was that?
HIRSEN: Oh, a wonderful experience. And every law professor should play with the Temptations, I think.
(LAUGHTER)
HIRSEN: And this, by the way, it was during the '70s, when I had to prove my merit. I had to be funky, because there was no Supreme Court decision that mandated that I play with the Temptations.
PHILLIPS: James, we'll talk to you again. Thanks for your time.
HIRSEN: Thank you for having me, Kyra.
PHILLIPS: It was a pleasure.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
