Editor’s Note: Whether on screen or off, Hollywood can always be counted on to keep us entertained. This is especially true when it comes to politics. Join us each week as we shine the spotlight on Tinseltown’s A-listers and their whacky and sometimes inspiring takes on today’s current events.
Jimmy Kimmel announced a new spoof line of Barbie dolls on his show Jimmy Kimmel Live which pokes fun at Karens everywhere. One doll is fashioned after Amanda Chase (R) the pro-gun Virgina state senator whose office was encased in plexiglass because she refused to wear a mask. Kimmel said:
“There are so many women out there like Amanda Chase inspiring young Karens around the world that we decided to make a new line of dolls out of the women who Mattel it like it is.”
It appears that Kimmel hasn’t quite grasped what it is that makes a “Karen.” Sen. Chase’s eschewing of masks effectively makes her the opposite of a “Karen,” who follows the rules so zealously that she harasses and reports everyone who doesn’t.
“Karen” Barbie Dolls: “Collect them all before the Democrats steal them.”
The nighttime host queues the commercial, with a female voice saying: “Each inflexible doll comes with bootcut jeans, a Big Gulp [soda], plenty of privilege, and a flip phone to call the police whenever she sees something suspicious.”
Several dolls are introduced, including the Dog Walker depicting Amy Cooper who called the police on a birdwatching black man in Central Park. This Karen comes with a lookalike dog on a leash and a cellphone. Young girls narrate the commercial, saying: “There’s an African American man threatening my life.” Next up, Storm the Capitol Karen complete with a sign that reads, “THE CHILDREN CRY OUT FOR JUSTICE.” One of the child speakers exclaims: “Nancy Pelosi eats babies for brunch.”
Then there’s QAnon Congresswoman Karen, resembling Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) who was recently stripped of her committee duties because she publicly excused the Capitol riot. Carrying a gun and wearing a “stop the steal” mask, with a young narrator saying, “wildfires are caused by Jewish space lasers, pew pew!” Other notable Karens include Courtroom Karen and Trailer Joe’s Karen. Again, the entire concept of “Karen” went right over Kimmel’s head.
At the end of the fake commercial, the commentator remarks:
“collect them all before the Democrats steal them. Karen mask not sold separately because science is fake, and she’s an American citizen, not a f—ing sheep. She’s the absolute worst!”
(Karen dolls start around 8:00 minutes)
Letterman Catching Criticism After Old Video Surfaces
Another nighttime talk show host, David Letterman, has been added to the #MeToo movement after the documentary on Britney Spears depicted the singer’s career as being damaged from years of inappropriate conduct from males in the industry, and now, a video showing Letterman literally sucking on actress Jennifer Aniston’s hair has surfaced.
In the clip, Aniston is clearly shocked, and not so impressed, as the host grabs a stray lock from the side of her face and clamps his lips around the strands. The uncomfortable footage continues with the actress accepting a tissue to soap up the leftover drool and then shove it into her pocket.
Cheers and Jeers
Sometimes, HollyWeird players make headlines for silly or bizarre happenings, so here is a collection of newsworthy doings — honorable and dishonorable — by the tenants of Tinseltown.
Sexual Misconduct Hammering Tinseltown
Letterman is only the newest name to be dropped into the #MeToo movement as more and more stars wave the accusatory finger. Last week, we saw Marilyn Manson up against not just sexual harassment but also possibly being charged with sex trafficking. The actor and director Woody Allen is also in the hot seat after the upcoming HBO documentary Allen v. Farrow tells the story of Dylan Farrow who accuses her father of continued abuse from the young age of seven.
Actress Courtney Love also revealed she stopped acting because of so many “#MeToo” moments. She wrote: “I love acting … I stopped being capable of it after a bunch of #metoos. No one would believe me, and it wouldn’t stop. So I left, and it left. And I’m good with it. Maybe, in my next life I’ll be stronger & able to endure it … I tip my hat to those who can.”
Director Brett Ratner, known for his work on X-Men, The Last Stand, and the Rush Hour trilogy, is rumored to be planning a biopic of former R&B duo Milli Vanilli (the lip-sync champions), but Time’s Up (a movement against sexual harassment) is having none of it. Its CEO and president, Tina Tchen, issued a statement that said, in part: “Not only did Ratner never acknowledge or apologize for the harm he caused, but he also filed lawsuits in an attempt to silence the voices of survivors who came forward – a tactic right out of the predator’s playbook.” She continued: “You don’t get to go away for a couple years and then resurface and act like nothing happened. We have not – and will not – forget. And Millennium Media shouldn’t either. There should be no comeback. #wewontforgetbrett.
Tune in next week to see what else Tinseltown has planned.
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Read more from Kelli Ballard.
