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 Tinsel Town’s A-listers and their whacky and sometimes inspiring takes on today’s current events.
There’s a lot to talk about in Hollyweird this week, from Tinsel Town reacting to Joe Biden choosing Kamala Harris as his running mate to voter fraud accusations and sexual harassment.
The Biden-Harris Ticket
Joe Biden announced on Tuesday, Aug. 11, that his choice as vice president was Kamala Harris, a woman who has hinted that she considers him racist and who has said she believed his sexual assault accusers. The legends of Hollyweird were only too happy to weigh in on the decision.
The Daily Social Distancing Show’s host, Trevor Noah, approved the choice of a black woman. “Say what you want about Joe,” he said, “but the man went Black and he’s not going back.” Noah added that he was impressed by the pick after Harris “destroyed” him during the Democratic debates.
Stephen Colbert from The Late Show mentioned the former prosecutor’s Indian heritage, saying, “Trump’s going to have a hard time deciding exactly how to be racist about her.” He also said the choice was a surprise as in the primary debates “she hit him [Biden] so hard he was spitting teeth like Chicklets.”
On The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon talked about Harris’ immigrant parents and how she had become a senator. “That’s an inspiring story, unless you’re Trump, then it’s a Stephen King novel.” He added, “She’s only had the job for a few hours, but Kamala is already gearing up for her debate with Mike Pence, that’s why she spent the entire day arguing with a mannequin at Kohl’s.”
And rising comedian and Trump-bashing star Sarah Cooper guest-hosted for Jimmy Kimmel Live! saying, “It was down to me and Kamala, but Joe wanted to go with someone who has ‘experience.’” Cooper’s success at her Trump impressions on TikTok also earned her a variety show on Netflix.
Cosby Back to Court, R. Kelly’s Accusers Threatened
Bill Cosby – actor, comedian, and inmate currently serving up to ten years on three counts of sexual assault – is fighting his charges again. His lawyers have appealed for a new trial, arguing that the judge unfairly allowed a deposition from a civil lawsuit that Cosby had given when he thought he was immune from prosecution. The attorneys also claim that testimony given by five of the actor’s previous accusers prejudiced the jury.
And speaking of prejudice, racism is now coming into play for Cosby’s defense as well. A spokesman for the comedian, Andrew Wyatt, said last month that “The false conviction of Bill Cosby is so much bigger than him – it’s about the destruction of ALL Black people and people of color in America.”
Appellate lawyer Jennifer Bonjean said, “It would be naïve to assume that his prosecution was not tainted by the same racial bias that pervades the criminal justice process in both explicit and insidious ways.” One wonders if his victim, Andrea Constand, feels the same.
Three friends of R&B singer R. Kelly have been charged with intimidation and harassment of women who have accused Kelly of sexual misconduct. Michael Williams, the former publicist for the artist, allegedly went to Florida in June and set fire to a vehicle reportedly belonging to one of the victims. Another friend, Richard Arline Jr., purportedly offered to pay a woman $500,000 who had “too much” incriminating information against Kelly. According to authorities, a wiretap recorded a call between Kelly and Arline. And Donnell Russell is accused of harassing another victim and her mother after the former filed a lawsuit against the singer. Russell, manager and adviser to Kelly, according to reports, sent a letter to the victim’s lawyer that included nude photographs of her, and then sent a warning text message: “Pull the plug or you will be exposed.”
Kelly, a Grammy-award winning musician, is currently behind bars due to multiple charges of sexual misconduct in Illinois, New York, and Minnesota. He is also accused of heading a racketeering business to supply him with girls and, in 2015, having unprotected sex with a minor without revealing he had herpes.
Voter Fraud: Kanye West and Jamie Lee Curtis
Yeezy just can’t seem to keep himself out of the “negative” spotlight ever since announcing his bid to run for president of the United States in July. Kanye West had a messy week of tweets and rants. According to his wife, Kim Kardashian, it was caused by bipolar disorder and a meltdown from “almost aborting his daughter.” But that’s all in the past now, and it’s time to move on to another chapter in the saga of sensational news: electoral fraud.
West has filed petitions in ten states to appear on the presidential ballot, but so far, he has only succeeded in securing Oklahoma. He met the deadlines for Illinois and New Jersey, but those states will not accept the petitions because they said the majority of submitted signatures were invalid. In Illinois, the rapper’s home state, it was reported that 1,200 names were valid of the 2,500 needed. In New Jersey, an elections official questioned more than 700 signatures of the 1,327 submitted. The suspect petitioners included no last names and people who were not registered to vote or, in some cases, to even live in the state.
We know it’s late in the game and all, Yeezy, but take the time to make sure your stuff is legit first.
Election fraud is no joking matter. Trump has been adamantly against states allowing mail-in voting, stressing the dangers of increased fraudulent ballots. Hollywood A-lister Jamie Lee Curtis took to Twitter to spread a conspiracy that the president is stealing votes. In the hilarious tweet, she points out that a tow truck driver is wearing a red hat, suggesting he’s a Trump fan wearing a MAGA hat.
I swear, in broad daylight, the driver of the red truck had a red cap on with white letters. Conspiracy? Outright attempt at stealing the election by denying the access of the @USPS ? Let’s not let it happen! @JoeBiden pic.twitter.com/gG765Caldm
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) August 11, 2020
While the tweet itself is hilarious, the comments really grab the funny bone. Here are just a couple:
Ultramoto: “they break down frequently and when i was a tow truck operator i had a call to pick one up like three times a week… also yeah… surprise hard working people are conservatives. Maybe grow tf up.”
Irish Empath: “I’m watching this happen from over here in Ireland. It is frightening, and as a history graduate utterly terrifying. Not again, this cannot happen again.”
Tune in next week to see what else Tinsel Town has planned.
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Read more from Kelli Ballard.
