Wokeness Has Made The Oscars Unwatchable:

TheRighting interview with conservative entertainment critic Christian Toto who drops a timely anti-woke bomb on Hollywood

February 7, 2022

Since 2014, conservative journalist Christian Toto has been publishing his website, Hollywood in Toto, which analyzes the entertainment world through a right-wing prism.  He’s passionate about the industry he’s observing but troubled at what he sees as the increasing woke slant of the content being produced.  That led him to publish his first book this year Virtue Bombs: How Hollywood Got Woke and Lost Its Soul, which was published January 18, 2022, by Bombardier Books.  TheRighting’s Howard Polskin reached out to Toto on the eve of Oscar nominations to conduct this email interview below:

Q. You’ve written passionately and persuasively about the perceived sins of entertainment industry wokeness in you website Hollywood in Toto.  Why did you decide to expand on those themes and write this book?

I had a conversation with a book editor, and he said, “We should work on a book together.” I was flattered, and I thought it was well past time for me to write a book. Plus, the more I thought about it, the more I realized there was nothing like “Virtue Bombs” in the marketplace. And we need a book like that to capture what’s happening in Hollywood.

Q. The book has been on sale for several weeks now.  What’s been the response from the entertainment community?  From the world of conservative media?

I’ve been embraced by conservative media, from smaller podcasts to major shows like Timcast IRL. Conservatives have done a poor job of engaging with pop culture up until recently, but that’s slowly changing.

I rarely get feedback, or blowback, from Hollywood. That’s proving true for the book as well. In a way that makes me sad. I want Hollywood creatives to read “Virtue Bombs” and consider my arguments. My critiques come from a place of love and respect. I think the industry is going in a terrible direction right now, and many, many people agree.

Q. What progressive-friendly films turned up at Sundance this year that are guaranteed to turn the stomach of any of your loyal readers?

Sundance pats itself on the back for its “diversity,” but the stories flowing from the festival are in ideological lockstep. Always. This year, three separate films tackle abortion from the pro-choice perspective. ’nuff said.

Q. What’s your take on the direction of the “Star Wars” franchise.  Is it too woke or just running out of steam?

Gosh, “The Mandalorian” brought the saga back from the dead. Then they got rid of Gina Carano and unleashed a lackluster Boba Fett series, so the TV side is looking wobbly. On the film front, there’s little to generate excitement moving forward. No more Skywalkers. The newer heroes (Rey, Finn and Poe) didn’t impact the culture as expected. The upcoming “Rogue Squadron” film got delayed. In just a few short years Disney crushed the biggest film franchise around. That’s movie magic in reverse.

Q. Please name some prominent actors who are foot soldiers in the war against the woke mob.

Nick Searcy is a talented actor who isn’t afraid to speak his mind. He does more than that, though. He makes smart indie documentaries on subjects Hollywood won’t touch. He lends his gravitas to projects like “Gosnell” and the upcoming “Terror on the Prairie,” part of The Daily Wire’s movie division.

There are very few stars like him.

The real warriors here are the take-no-prisoners comics. Think Ryan Long, Chrissie Mayr, Tyler Fischer, Adam Carolla, Tim Dillon, Joe Rogan and, shockingly, Russell Brand. They collectively give me hope.

Q. Name several films at least ten years old that wouldn’t be made today because they violate the unwritten PC standards that exist in Hollywood.

“Blazing Saddles” is the most obvious answer. “Red Dawn” got a tepid remake a few years back, but the brawling original wouldn’t fly today. I think most of Judd Apatow’s bro comedies (“Knocked Up,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) would be a tough sell — too white, too masculine, not remotely woke.

Q. Are there any positive aspects to Hollywood’s wokeism or do you see it in entirely negative terms?

The only positive, and it’s potentially huge, is the opportunity it opens for creative souls who disagree with the woke bylaws. Comedians with nerves of steel, like Long and Dillon, are taking full advantage of that reality. Will other platforms emerge and do the same? The Daily Wire is trying, but it’s just one company.

Q. What’s your take on musicians like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell for removing their music from Spotify because  it hosts podcaster Joe Rogan, who has been criticized for spreading Covid misinformation?  

It makes me sad. It’s their right, of course. But they hope their actions will inspire others to do the same and, ultimately, coax Spotify to kick Rogan to the curb. To see folk rock heroes fight free expression makes me sick.

I think Rogan will be the most consequential pop culture figure in 2022.

Why not debate Rogan’s ideas, and the ideas his guests embrace, rather than take him down? The rise of censorship, embraced by both liberal artists and many journalists, is horrifying.

Q. What part of the entertainment industry do you feel exhibits the most insufferable wokeness: Films? Television? Music? 

Awards shows may top the list. The Oscars are unwatchable. Other entertainment galas are similarly woke and brimming with far-left lectures.

I read NewsBusters religiously, and it’s startling to see how many TV shows are openly pushing far-Left narratives. TV shows allow screenwriters and studios alike to quickly address current events in ways most movies can’t due to the protracted production schedule. They also understand the intimacy of your average TV show and how audiences bond with characters in a way that makes woke lecturing more impactful.

Q. If you were a big Hollywood star, would you voice your political opinion in public?

It’s a very tricky question. It’s up to each person to make that decision. I think a movie star serves the public best by avoiding the political fray and simply entertaining us. That said, I think stars should be aggressive, and outspoken, when it comes to free speech. That should be an apolitical stance, but sadly that’s no longer the case.

Buy at Amazon:  Virtue Bombs: How Hollywood Got Woke and Lost Its Soul

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