In a recent episode of his Fox News show, Greg Gutfeld didn't hold back on what he sees as Hollywood's ongoing slump. Broadcasting from the network's New York studios, the host likened the industry's struggles to a flop at the box office no one wants to buy tickets for. Indeed, Gutfeld pointed to the Democratic Party's political missteps as mirroring the entertainment world's creative droughts, suggesting both are out of touch with audiences craving real stories over scripted narratives.
Gutfeld, who has built a career blending satire with sharp commentary since launching Gutfeld! in 2021, argued that viewers are tuning out the predictable plots from Tinseltown. He highlighted how late-night ratings battles have shifted, with his own program surpassing traditional hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert in key demographics. Moreover, he tied this to broader cultural shifts, where pop culture icons once dominated but now compete with online influencers for attention. It's a point that resonates, especially as streaming services report stagnant subscriber growth amid content fatigue.
Meanwhile, Natalie Portman, the Oscar-winning actress known for roles in Black Swan and the Star Wars prequels, echoed some of these sentiments in a recent interview. Portman, who graduated from Harvard with a psychology degree back in 2003, spoke candidly about the erosion of traditional filmmaking. She noted how her own children, immersed in a digital world, barely recognize movie stars compared to YouTube sensations. This generational divide, Portman suggested, underscores a deeper crisis in cinema's relevance. Her comments came amid personal headlines, including her finalized divorce from choreographer Benjamin Millepied after 11 years, but she steered the conversation back to industry woes.
However, Gutfeld's take adds a political edge, criticizing what he calls the left-leaning bias in scripts that alienate conservative viewers. Portman, ever the diplomat, focused more on structural changes like social media's rise disrupting distribution models. Both perspectives highlight a troubled sector, with box office receipts for major releases dipping below pre-pandemic levels in 2024. Indeed, as these voices converge on Hollywood's crossroads, one wonders if the silver screen can reclaim its spotlight.