Buffoon of the Week Staff
In a year filled with political drama, cultural clashes, and shifting public opinions, it’s time to delve deep into the icky world of washed-up Hollywood. Gene Berardelli and Ross Galloway discuss who should be the “Culture Warrior” of the year with an entertaining mix of humor and criticism.
Hollywood Has Always Been Political
The “Culture Warrior” is not a new phenomenon in politics. Even back in the early days of Hollywood, actors of stage and screen engaged in political activity to influence policy. The most well-known actor-turned-politician has to be Ronald Reagan. Reagan successfully transitioned from acting, to union leader, to becoming the President of the United States. But today, washed-up Hollywood celebrities occupy the intersection of Hollywood and politics. Nowadays, the people know figures like Alyssa Milano and Kathy Griffin more from their political drama than their work on the screen.
Joe Rogan made a great observation about the modern iteration of the Culture Warrior. He suggests that politics is merely just another role for Culture Warriors:
They find the pattern, the way they have to talk and the things they have to talk about, and they lock into those things with no deviation. They find whatever the line is where Hollywood wants. It’s always Left. always super progressive, always super woke, and they f***ing ride that line like a railroad train – no deviation, and it’s so obvious.
Keeping Rogan’s wisdom in mind, let’s review the dumbest “Culture Warriors” of the year.
Robert De Niro’s Political Fallout
One of the first “Culture Warriors” that come to mind from this year is Robert De Niro. De Niro became a vocal surrogate for the ill-fated Biden campaign, lending what star power he had to influence voters. Bur, De Niro could only offer anger and fearmongering about Donald Trump outside of his New York trial. The response from New York City locals was not what De Niro expected. The display was enough to make someone regret liking De Niro’s movies, as the exchange showed De Niro’s angry persona in real life.
Rob Reiner’s Fanatical Partisanship
Rob Reiner, famously known for his role as “Meathead” in All in the Family, has been another vocal political figure. Reiner was a “keyboard commando” on X, former known as Twitter, The contrast between his comedic work on TV and his venomous political commentary paints a picture of a man lost in extremism. In fact, Reiner became so fanatical, he admittedly had to check himself into a mental health facility after the election!
Reiner’s spiraling mental health is the latest example of how “Culture Warriors” get become lost in their political engagement. This becomes especially true when a “Culture Warrior” becomes so vocally in opposition to President Donald Trump. Observers sometimes jokingly “diagnose” such stress as as “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” But, in the case of Rob Reiner, breaking under the stress of politics is no laughng matter.
Mark Hamill: Lost to the Dark Side
Perhaps the most heartbreaking “Culture Warrior” for fans is Mark Hamill. Hamill once embodied the heroic spirit of Star Wars as Luke Skywalker. But, the 2024 election saw Hamill succumb to the “dark side” of politics, engaging in hate posting on X. But, Hamill’s fanaticism went beyond the keyboard. The video highlights how Hamill has fully embraced the political left, participating in cringe-worthy moments like the “White dudes for Harris” campaign. His cringey public endorsement of Joe Biden at the White House left fans questioning how the man who rebelled against the evil Empire could now be a government sycophant.
The Double Standards of Hollywood’s Culture Warriors
A key theme associated with today’s “Culture Warrior” buffoons is the hypocrisy of Hollywood celebrities who claim to fight for progressive values from the comfort of their personal wealth and their well-heeled connections. Money and influence go hand-in-hand, and Culture Warriors use both to gain access to politicians, which perpetuates their notoriety.
That said, not all Hollywood figures active in politics turn into “Culture Warriors.” Take Kid Rock for example, who keeps his political views relatively personal with minimal intrusiveness into peoples’ lives. Meanwhile, more vocal left-wing figures turn politics into their identity. Like celebrities who claim America is broken, yet have made their fortunes within the very system they claim to despise. Celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, who chose to leave the country after making millions in the U.S., all because of her politics.
Why This Video Matters
This part of Buffoon of the Year is an essential watch for anyone interested in the intersection of politics, Hollywood, and celebrity culture. If you’re a fan of Hollywood gossip, political commentary, or just follow celebrity culture, this video will be right up your alley. Don’t forget to check out Buffoon of the Week! for more insights and commentary on the culture wars, and join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments section!
