March 20, 2026
Back in the day, Jimmy Kimmel was co-host of something called The Man Show. Its weekly signature was called Girls Jumping on Trampolines. You can find some on You Tube if you think I’m kidding.
Kimmel was a misogynist, made fun of women, objectified them, treated them as dumb and clueless. He did that for three seasons. I think he did it for the money. You may think I’m being Right leaning here so I’ll balance with something no one seems to report: Mr. Kimmel was replaced by…Joe Rogan, a major supporter of Trump in 2024. Bad behaviors know no political boundaries.
Today, it is my guess Kimmel has chosen his Far Leftist persona because he’s doing it for the money. He certainly couldn’t be doing it as a comedian because comedians are, well, funny.
I mention Mr. Kimmel because it appears he was the only politically motivated blabbermouth at the Awards. There was that guy who uttered a pro-Palestinian throwaway line, but that was it, at least as much as I’ve read. We did not watch the Oscars in great part because we like to be entertained. That two rabid movie fans relent on watching it probably says something more about the Awards than us.
But to me, this is all progress. That there was no real political commentary tells me that the word went out to cool it, no doubt because…it’s not good for business. If it was, they would have filled the airways. Hollywood is in trouble. Ticket sales declining, Oscar viewership is in decline. Movies show a lack of originality and instead, are heavy on violence and special effects…always a cheap come on. When writers run out of plot ideas, they give a guy a gun ten minutes before the end to wrap it all up.
Oscar Best Picture went to a political statement, One Battle After Another.
The film grossed $72.3 million domestically and $209.6 million worldwide. It was considered a box office disappointment, falling well short of its estimated $300 million break-even point. With theaters getting 50%, the studio’s actual take was far less than the gross suggests. The film is tracking to lose around $100 million.
Variety
Critics gave it a 98 on Rotten Tomatoes. The same gave Melania and Reagan a sub-10 approval. I don’t use RT any more. I need an unbiased critical source.
Movie goers turned their back on the movie. They wanted no part of paying $20 for popcorn at a political lecture. They want to be entertained…what a novel idea!
Then we have Kid Rock who has done the impossible. Riding the anger of the political Right, he has out-Springsteened Mr. Springsteen on the Left. Positioning himself as a Maga Champion, he’s been going after all kinds of easy targets on the Left. Which brings us to:
Yes, while your brother-in-law is paying Mr. Springsteen $3,000 to attend his.
“No Kings” concert, you can attend Kid Rock’s and give him $5,000 (not a misprint) for a front row seat to Freedom250.
Gentle readers, are we seeing a pattern here? Gin up the base, create a concert and album themed around that, raise your ticket prices.
Sing your outrage boys and rake in the dough.
In truth these guys are a fading echo of the dividing industry that sprung up a few years ago. I mean both Springsteen and Kid Rock were fading, but I see this in more places now…a pulling back from contentious, divisive commentary and output. Perhaps even more so on the Right. To me, a lot of that keys off the President and he is currently occupied. When you’re a war President, you don’t have time to take on Rosie O’Donnell. So, as Trump relents, so does everyone else. He’s the thermostat for all that vitriol.
More examples. Scott Pelley continues with purple prose, excoriating his employer, CBS. I’ve always suggested the quaint notion you owe your employer the duty of loyalty. If you can’t stomach your job, you leave. That it’s not about you and just because you can read a teleprompter, or memorize clever questions ginned up by a fleet of assistants doesn’t make you something special. I imagine people like him practicing saying in deep stentorian tones “Tonight on 60 Minutes…” in front of the mirror. Spouse clapping…’that was great babe!’
Well, the progress is he’s not getting anywhere with all of that. CBS isn’t going to change its new trajectory. Because the money is taking them there. They don’t want to pay damages on misbehaviors by producers or on-air personalities. They need viewers and focus on their business.
Progress in that people like Tucker Carlson, who used to earn respect (including mine) from Republicans and the Right is increasingly becoming persona non grata as Conservatives flee his sometimes unattractive and divisive commentary. And (surprise) he’s begun a company called Battalion Metals to sell gold. Money. Free investment advice: Do not buy anything from media-based precious metals dealers. Period.
But that aside, we have progress. Lefties moving toward the Center and Righties moving toward the Center.
Progress in that Ellen has moved back home and has kept to herself and that people have not launched new criticism of her. That is progress.
Progress in that 2028 is up in the air, it is no longer a slam dunk for VP Vance or former Presidential candidate Harris. They’ll have to scramble like everyone else now and that means that fresh air is coming into politics, the windows are being thrown open. In part because the Schumer/Pelosi axis is weakening its hand on the Democratic Party which opens the door to fresh faces and dogma.
Progress in that Jasmine Crockett did not succeed, that Marjorie Taylor Greene elected to leave. They feel so yesterday now, don’t they?
Me, I’m genuinely excited about the prospect of a 2028 election that could feature Emanuel and Rubio (or DeSantis). I think it would be a genuine debate among adults; shorn of all the garbage we’ve had to endure over the past few years. Maybe I’m being naïve, but I think that prospect is increasingly likely.
To be clear, I think Vance a decent man who does care, who fights for his beliefs. He is by all accounts a good husband and family man and acts with integrity. It’s just that by hitching himself completely to Trump, I feel a desire to move on from all of that when the time comes.
Progress. The new wave of candidates do not have closets full of personal misadventures.
Rubio certainly is all in at State, but somehow, he stays aloof from domestic politics and focuses on diplomacy. I expect when they turn their attention to Cuba, Rubio will lead that and as a descendant of Cuban immigrants, he may have an opportunity really set himself apart as a serious candidate who can also deliver.
Ron DeSantis would be my own choice. He’s just done so well for Florida, and I enjoy his style. We get a hurricane; there he is at the microphone with all his Florida State emergency managers and it’s all business. It was very comforting to watch him. Like all the other candidates I’ve mentioned here, by all accounts a good husband and loving father.
And of course I’ve expressed my favorables about Rahm Emanuel several times.
So, it all starts to feel better. Perhaps the country will be able to slowly but assuredly move beyond what we’ve seen for the past few years. That would be terrific.
My central thesis all along has been that the country needs to move toward the Center to heal. That a Left Center Democratic Party and a Right Center Republican Party is natural for both and the best, quickest path forward. There is plenty of room for all to be heard, and to vote and in the centrist place, there is also space for compromising and working together.
I think we’ve begun that journey.
Thoughts, questions, or reflections? I’d love to hear them. You can reach me anytime at anthony@workingprofit.com
