If there is one thing I am, it’s an entertainer. I make and act in movies, I make a silly internet show on the @ohiofood_ Instagram and I write satirical columns. I love every second of it, too. I make people laugh, and I’m happy to do that.
Even if it means getting stopped on the street by people and getting told, “Tell me a joke.” Only to ask them if they have any “hen weigh” on them, they then reply, “What’s a hen weigh?” and I have to inform them that a hen weighs 4 to 6 pounds. They then don’t get the joke, don’t laugh and I lose a fan. That’s the price I’m willing to pay if it means I get to entertain you all. If I’m feeling really funny that day, I will ask if they want “monkey do.”
On a more serious note, recently, investor and “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary replied to Billie Eilish’s recent speech at the Grammys, telling entertainers, “Shut your mouth, and just entertain.” To O’Leary, I say this.
It’s big talk coming from the guy who played a character no different from himself in the movie “Marty Supreme,” then proceeded to go on a press tour talking about his newfound acting career, or let’s think, maybe your 16 years on “Shark Tank.”
You’re not famous for your money, you're famous for the TV show you star in. You, too, are an entertainer. On top of this, six months ago, you went on CNN and called the Jeffrey Epstein files “poop on a stick.”
Even if O’Leary isn’t a true entertainer and is more of an investor, the same rules apply: stay in your lane, stay out of politics. Don’t be a hypocrite. Elvis Presley notoriously remained non-political throughout his career. “I’m just an entertainer,” Presley said.
I don’t believe every entertainer is obligated to make a statement about what is going on in the world. That being said, to tell an entertainer they aren’t allowed to be political is absolutely absurd. Telling entertainers they can’t speak on politics is like telling politicians they can’t make jokes because they might hurt someone’s feelings.
However, what an entertainer says isn’t the end-all be-all. Don’t take whatever your favorite celebrity says as the truth. I recommend taking five minutes to go on Google and research the topic for yourself.
I know most of the time when I write a column, people are clicking on it to get a laugh, and to read some good old-fashioned “gonzo journalism,” and I am grateful for that.
Though after watching videos on my phone of Charlie Kirk, Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, three individuals who were murdered in the last six months, it’s hard for me not to act like it doesn’t affect me, I’d also be lying if I said it didn’t affect the way I write. And to that, I’d be lying if I said I don’t try to write more hopeful and thought-inducing articles because of it.
It’s not about whether or not you use your platform to talk about politics; it’s about politics affecting your platform and your use of it. If you have any sort of influence in this world, you should be smart enough and aware of what’s going on in it.
Presley might have said, “I’m just an entertainer,” but he also went on television and sang “If I Can Dream,” a song about civil rights. He might not have talked about politics in interviews, but he was certainly aware of the issues at hand.
Entertainers should absolutely be aware of what’s going on in the world. They should know their audience. Entertainers aren’t just here to make people laugh, not even comedians. That’s the part people get wrong about entertainers.
We don’t do this simply to make people shut off their brains. We are not a theme park. We are telling stories, and we are making people feel emotions. Whether it’s through songs, jokes, movies or books. We are trying to make people feel seen. We are trying to make them feel better and make it so people don’t feel lonely. We are trying to connect with one another.
In times where people are being stripped of their families or are being killed in the street, it’s important to get on stage and tell the people who support you and your art, “I see the struggles you are going through. I support you, and I am here for you.”
Daniel Gorbett is a junior studying General Studies at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Daniel know by emailing him at dg371822@ohio.edu.
