Waging a Culture War by Promoting Comedic Mediocrity Waging a Culture War by Promoting Comedic Mediocrity
The Ellison family, poised to continue dominating the media landscape with its Warner deal, signs on an infomercial-grade comic to replace Stephen Colbert.
Apr 8, 2026 / Ben Schwartz
The Trump White House’s Vision of War as Nihilist Entertainment The Trump White House’s Vision of War as Nihilist Entertainment
In a new X post building on an earlier Hollywood action-clip montage, the White House tries to render the horrors of war as a Wii game.
Mar 13, 2026 / Ben Schwartz
How Jane Fonda Is Rethinking the Hollywood Resistance How Jane Fonda Is Rethinking the Hollywood Resistance
The actress’s revived Committee for the First Amendment is taking aim at industry mergers as well as threats to the freedom of expression.
Mar 11, 2026 / Ben Schwartz
Rob Reiner’s Legacy Can't Be Sullied by Trump’s Shameful Attacks Rob Reiner’s Legacy Can't Be Sullied by Trump’s Shameful Attacks
The late actor and director leaves behind a roster of classic films—and a much safer and juster California.
Dec 16, 2025 / Ben Schwartz
One Buyout After Another One Buyout After Another
The multibillion-dollar takeover bids targeting Warner Bros. Discovery show how Trump’s corrupt model of governance-by-payback could destroy Hollywood.
Dec 10, 2025 / Ben Schwartz
Trump’s Quest for Total Media Control Trump’s Quest for Total Media Control
Look beyond the petty celebrity feuds, and you'll see a plan to transform American media companies into outlets for MAGA agitprop.
Nov 21, 2025 / Ben Schwartz
The Pending Disaster of a Skydance-Warners Merger The Pending Disaster of a Skydance-Warners Merger
The Ellison family’s aggressive pursuit of the WBD empire would shred news values and further pillage movie and TV production.
Nov 3, 2025 / Ben Schwartz
History’s Lessons for the Second Committee for the First Amendment History’s Lessons for the Second Committee for the First Amendment
Jane Fonda is reviving the Hollywood advocacy group to meet the high-stakes challenges to free expression in the Trump era.
Oct 20, 2025 / Ben Schwartz
The Sad Spectacle of American Comedians Selling Out in Saudi Arabia The Sad Spectacle of American Comedians Selling Out in Saudi Arabia
It turns out that edgy free-speech warriors will scuttle their principles for a check from a brutal autocratic regime.
Oct 2, 2025 / Ben Schwartz
How the Kimmel Controversy Echoes Disney’s Dirty China Deal How the Kimmel Controversy Echoes Disney’s Dirty China Deal
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner berated the company’s capitulation before authoritarian MAGA threats, but in many ways, he set the example.
Sep 24, 2025 / Ben Schwartz