CLOONED OUT

 

It depends on your definition of the word.

It's probably been this way for a long time, but while scrolling through show biz sites, it's impossible not to find "real" news, usually political, and always irritating whether I agree with it or not. 

Since Joe Biden's woeful debate performance with Donald Trump, this phenomenon seems to have increased exponentially. And I say that because everybody else uses "exponentially"
after the word "increased". It makes me look like a columnist for the New York Times.

Which brings us to The Paper of Record's publication of an op-ed by George Clooney. I've read only the headlines, but it comes down to this: Joe Must Go.

I have no problem with him saying this. I'm just unsure why his take on Not Ridin' With Biden is more important than anyone else's. 

Had someone named, say, George Kowznowfski or George Hungerdunger written the same piece, word for word, would the Times had printed it? Unlikely, because no one outside those gentlemen's circle of friends, family, or pickleball players would know who they were. Also -- let's face it -- the Times' editors would take one look at those surnames, cleared their throats, and hit "delete" before even reading them.

"OK, where's my iPad? I feel an
op-ed coming on."

This, then, shows the power of winning two Oscars and three Golden Globe, as it sends you the front of the line at the Times Op-Ed department. Five trophies for his movie work -- this man must know what he's talking about. And don't think Clooney doesn't know it.

Before you jump to conclusions, let me state unashamedly that I like George Clooney. He's one of the few actors who's also a good writer and director. Most importantly to me, he's great in comedic roles. Hail, Caesar!, The Men Who Stare at Goats, and Intolerable Cruelty, to name three, all had me laughing out loud. And O Brother Where Art Thou? proved he had what it takes to be the closest thing to Clark Gable alive today -- and he was funny in that, too. Yes, I like George Clooney a lot.

But Clooney also seems aware that when he speaks, people listen, whether he's qualified or not. The day after Princess Diana died, he held a press conference (or rather, read a speech, since he didn't take questions), blaming her death entirely on the hated paparazzi. Had he waited a day or two more, he would have learned that Diana might still be alive had her driver not been drinking at the hotel bar for three hours before the fatal ride. Damn, do I hate to feel a little sympathy for the hated paparazzi. Especially the French ones.

Or, as it's better known, The One
Where Batman Has Rubber
Nipples.

If asked about Clooney's opinion on the presidential race, Joe Biden could give his Joe Biden smile and reply in his humble Joe Biden way, Is this the same guy who passes off Nespresso commercials as "short films"? Who almost killed off the Batman franchise? Who thought The Monuments Men was a good way to spend two hours? Who followed up a fun film like Ocean's Eleven with two execrable, money-grabbing sequels? Who, with Julia Roberts, starred in the mediocre '70s-style romcom Ticket to Paradise only because it meant getting paid to spend a couple of months in Bali?  And, before ER, was best known for Return of the Killer Tomatoes? He's giving career advice? 

I repeat, I am a George Clooney fan. We're probably on the same page regarding most issues as well. But if anyone's opinion is swayed by his, then they deserve to watch Ocean's 12 and 13 on a loop.

Off-topic: Can someone explain to me how Joe Biden's refusal to drop out of the race -- which comes down to Only I can fix things -- is different from Trump's identical claim in 2016? 

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