4 chapters across the catalog
The discussion recalls historical instances of celebrities criticizing Jewish influence in Hollywood, specifically Jesse Jackson's 1984 comments and Marlon Brando's 1996 interview on Larry King Live. They note the difference in how these figures were handled by the media compared to modern standards, highlighting Norm Macdonald's satirical take on Brando's apology and subsequent "freedom to work."
April Reign, the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag, is identified as a key figure in the movement to diversify the federal judiciary. The hosts link Reign's activism to the 2016 Oscars boycott led by Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith. They suggest that the recent conflict between Will Smith and Chris Rock is rooted in the fallout from that boycott and Rock's subsequent monologues.
Tyler Perry receives the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy, which the hosts suggest is a reward for his vaccine promotion. During the interview, Gayle King asks Perry to channel his character "Madea" to tell people to get the vaccine. The hosts compare this to the "Black man in a dress" trope discussed by Dave Chappelle and Martin Lawrence, calling it a demeaning requirement for a "billion-dollar mogul."
During the 2018 Academy Awards, TMZ reporters attempted to stir controversy regarding Kobe Bryant's win for the animated short "Dear Basketball" by questioning attendees about his past legal issues. Despite the height of the Me Too movement, Bryant received a warm reception from Hollywood, suggesting his status as a major corporate asset for brands like Nike protected his image. The media's tendency to cycle between tearing down heroes and celebrating "comeback kids" was evident in the coverage.
