Television producers are thought to be a liberal bunch.
That isn’t surprising. But conservative columnist Ben Shapiro, author of a new book, “Primetime Propaganda: The True Hollywood Story of How the Left Took Over Your TV,” said conservatives need to break through this hegemony.
“I want conservatives to stop seeing entertainment as something to shy away from,” the Harvard Law School graduate said in a phone interview last month.
“We keep saying ‘TV is horrible. Let’s boycott shows!’ But you can’t boycott them all. You’re handing the weapons to the liberals. They can say, ‘Well, you’re not boycotting this show. It must be okay.’”
Conservatives do exist in Hollywood. Some even thrive. But they are often in the shadows, Shapiro said.
As a result, liberals, he said, have slipped their ideology into shows from “The Twilight Zone” to “All in the Family,” from “Friends” to “Glee” over the years.
To market the book, published by Broadside, he posted audio of interviews he did with producers who freely admit and often laud their liberal ways.
For example, Vin Di Bona, creator of “MacGyver,” was asked if there is left-wing bias in Hollywood. His response: “Well, I think it’s probably accurate and I’m happy about it.”
Shapiro, an aspiring script writer, said he has direct experience. He was close to getting in the door with CBS’ “The Good Wife,” but then got a cold shoulder. He had no idea why until his agent told him another agent at his firm Googled him and discovered his political leanings.
“I’m not sure we can represent you because he thinks your political views will make it impossible for you to get a job in this town,” the agent told Shapiro.
This book is not revenge against Hollywood, he said. In fact, he is often complimentary of many of the producers who agreed to talk to him. Most, he said, were kind: “I don’t think Hollywood is made up of mean people. They’re just ensconced in their own bubble.”
He admitted that his Harvard Law cap and Jewish last name may have disarmed many of his subjects, making them more honest than they might have been.
Some have since said they were misled. “So does that mean if they knew I was conservative, they would have lied or not done the interview?” he said.
In the book, he talks about whether TV is a reflection of society or can shift attitudes. Many producers feel it’s heavily reflective. Shapiro argues otherwise.
“For people in L.A., they feel TV reflects their lifestyles. But that’s not necessarily the lifestyle of Birmingham or Peoria,” he said.
Murphy Brown two decades ago made being a single mom more acceptable, he said.
And an openly gay teen on the show “Glee” could make people more tolerant of teens coming out.
For more, read blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/.
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