Hollywood's 'first cancel culture victim' Kevin Sorbo sees industry dramatically shifting under Trump

Hollywood's 'first cancel culture victim' Kevin Sorbo sees industry dramatically shifting under Trump

Kevin Sorboconsiders himself to be the first victim of cancel culture since he was booted from Hollywood over a decade ago due to his conservative values. The 66-year-old actor skyrocketed to international fame when he starred as the Greek demigod Hercules in the hit show "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" for six seasons from 1995 to 1999. During an interview with Fox News Digital, Sorbo discussed how the political climate is shifting in Hollywood, and he believes that the industry is open to more conservative and Christian values today because they are tired of losing out on millions of dollars. "Well, I'm the first cancel culture victim before I knew it was a term. Hollywood booted me up a dozen years ago for things I was posting on the internet. And I looked at my age and I said, 'Oh, you guys are upset that I'm posting the truth? Is that a problem with you guys?' Because they hate the truth, and they hate anybody who's a Christian in Hollywood, anybody who is a conservative. So I'm like a double leper to them. I'm, like, kryptonite or something," Sorbo said. 'Hercules' Star Discusses New 'Hardcore-faith Based' Movie And Opportunities For Conservatives In Hollywood The "What If…" star explained that he and his wife decided to create their own studio, Sorbo Studios, and he has been shooting at least four movies a year since saying goodbye to the industry. Read On The Fox News App "So, I'm OK with it. I mean, I hate it, but I think there's a shift. I think with Trump in office again right now, there's definitely a shift. People will hate him in front, but those people that hate him, they're gonna see their lives get better. Trust me. And Hollywood is shifting a little bit because I'm starting to get calls from the studios saying, 'Hey, there's a big thing with this stuff. So maybe send us a couple of scripts.' "So, I'm reaching out to Netflix and Amazon with a couple of scripts that I have that aren't in your face about faith, but the messages are there," Kevin continued. "There's a positive message instead of negative ones, so I think we've reached a tipping point." Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News Sorbo weighed in on whyHollywoodis now deciding to make a shift. "I think people are tired of it, and Hollywood's tired of losing money, like they're going to lose another $300 million on this woke Disney movie with 'Snow White.' So, I think the American people are fed up, and I think they showed it in the last election as well. They said enough is enough of this stuff. So I just think it's just the pendulum swinging back and forth, right? And I think we're going back to the right side now, and I'm a believer in going right and then left," Sorbo said. WATCH: Hollywood's 'first cancel culture victim' Kevin Sorbo sees industry dramatically shifting under Trump presidency Sorbo's "What If…" was released in 2010 and will be re-released for its 15th anniversary on Aug. 5 and 7. The film starred Sorbo, Kristy Swanson, John Ratzenberger, and Debby Ryan. The story follows Ben Walker (Sorbo), a businessman who abandoned his faith. One day, Ben wakes up living the life he was destined for — married to his college sweetheart (Swanson) and serving as a small-town pastor. Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter The "Hercules" startold Fox News Digital that the movie's storyline is still relevant today because it's everything "Hollywood movies don't have anymore." WATCH: Kevin Sorbo shares why 'What If...' message is still relevant today "That's what Hollywood used to put out there, movies that had hope and love and laughter and redemption and faith. And, you know, Hollywood used to do a lot of these kinds of movies. And I think they're waking up a little bit now because they're losing a lot of money on this woke insanity. So let's see what happens with it. I've always loved this movie," Sorbo said. Theaters will be showing new bonus content only available in theaters, including an exclusive filmed cast reunion and roundtable hosted by director Dallas Jenkins. Tickets for the 15th anniversary of "What If…" can be purchased on Fathom Entertainment'swebsite. Original article source:Hollywood's 'first cancel culture victim' Kevin Sorbo sees industry dramatically shifting under Trump

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 24, 2025

Hollywood's 'first cancel culture victim' Kevin Sorbo sees industry dramatically shifting under Trump

Hollywood's 'first cancel culture victim' Kevin Sorbo sees industry dramatically shifting under Trump Kevin Sorboconsiders himse...

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'South Park' skewers Paramount over Colbert cancellation, mocks Donald Trump in premiere

'South Park' skewers Paramount over Colbert cancellation, mocks Donald Trump in premiere

Trey Parker and Matt Stonearen't holding back. The "South Park" creators tore intoPresident Donald Trump− and their bosses atParamount− in the animated show's Season 27 premiere, which referenced everything from the company's controversialsettlement with the presidentto its shock decision tocancel "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."Comedy Central, where "South Park" airs, is owned by Paramount. The episode depicts Trump literally getting into bed with Satan, his lover, using actual photos of the president crudely placed on an animated body. It's the same depiction that Saddam Hussein received in 1999's "South Park" movie, and Satan even comments that Trump and Saddam are "exactly alike." In the episode, Trump is portrayed as a thin-skinned bully who threatens to sue anyone who gets on his bad side. The main plot revolves around the supposed death of "wokeness" and the president pushing Christianity in classrooms by having Jesus physically appear at the boys' school. When the parents of South Park get angry and push back, Trump decides to sue the town. The episode goes on to take aim at Paramount for itscontroversial settlement with Trumpover a "60 Minutes" interview withKamala Harris, which he alleged was deceptively edited. A pair of "60 Minutes" anchors are shown covering the protests in South Park, but they nervously praise Trump and insist they don't agree with the protesters, as if they are worried he will sue again. All seasons of 'South Park'have a new streaming home. Where can you watch? Eventually, Jesus arrives at the South Park protest and, speaking nervously with clenched teeth, reveals he came to the kids' school "because it was part of a lawsuit and the agreement with Paramount." "(Trump) can do whatever he wants now that someone backed down," Jesus continues, adding, "You guys saw what happened to CBS? Well, guess who owns CBS? Paramount! You really want to end up like Colbert? ... Just shut up, or we're going to get canceled, you idiots!" The episode aired less than a week after thecancellation of Colbert's "Late Show,"which CBS said was for financial reasons. But critics accused the network, which Paramount owns, ofcanceling the show to appease Trumpamid a proposed merger with Skydance that requires Trump administration approval. Colbert is a vocal Trump critic and mocks him on almost every episode of "The Late Show." Colbert's cancellation:A ratings crisis or a political bribe? We investigate The season premiere ends with the people of South Park settling with Trump and agreeing to do pro-Trump messaging as part of their agreement. So the show cuts to a supposed pro-Trump public service announcement, in which Trump, in live-action, is shown crawling through a desert completely nude. With its surprisingly pointed critique of Paramount, the episode also aired on the same day that Paramount announced afive-year agreementwith Parker and Stone for 50 new episodes of "South Park." White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers slammed "South Park" in a statement provided to USA TODAY in response to the season premiere's Trump parody. "The Left's hypocrisy truly has no end — for years they have come after 'South Park' for what they labeled as 'offense' content, but suddenly they are praising the show," Rogers said. "Just like the creators of 'South Park,' the Left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows." The White House's statement continued, "This show hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.President Trumphas delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country's history — and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump's hot streak." This story has been updated to include additional information. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'South Park' takes on Trump, Colbert cancellation, '60 Minutes' suit

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 24, 2025

'South Park' skewers Paramount over Colbert cancellation, mocks Donald Trump in premiere

'South Park' skewers Paramount over Colbert cancellation, mocks Donald Trump in premiere Trey Parker and Matt Stonearen't holdin...

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Tanya Simon to Lead CBS News’ ‘60 Minutes’ as Executive Producer

Tanya Simon to Lead CBS News' '60 Minutes' as Executive Producer

CBS News named Tanya Simon the new executive producer of "60 Minutes," making her just the fourth executive to lead the program in its nearly 60 years on air and the first woman to do so. She takes the reins of the show at a tumultuous time, when the venerable newsmagazine has been put in the crosshairs of the Trump administration and the fortunes of corporate parent Paramount Global. Simon has been overseeing the program since its previous EP,Bill Owens, stepped down in April, citing interference in the show's editorial processes by Paramount. Wendy McMahon, the CBS executive who ran CBS News and its local stations, left a few weeks afterward, noting that she and the company had different views of how to run operations. More from Variety 'South Park' to Get 50 New Episodes as Trey Parker, Matt Stone Reach Five-Year Deal With Paramount; Entire Series to Stream on Paramount+ Skydance Promises FCC It Will Appoint CBS News Ombudsman to Review 'Complaints of Bias,' Says Paramount Has Eliminated DEI Trump Makes Unconfirmed Claim Skydance Will Give Him $20 Million in 'Advertising, PSAs or Similar Programming' After Paramount Merger Goes Through "It is a privilege to lead '60 Minutes' and its formidable team of journalists," Simon said in a prepared statement. "'60' is in a class of its own, upholding a legacy of extraordinary and thought-provoking journalism for more than half a century. I'm deeply committed to this level of excellence and I look forward to delivering an exciting season of signature '60' stories that cover a wide range of subjects for a broad audience and engage viewers with their world." She has been with CBS News since 1996, joining the news division as a researcher for "48 Hours." Her father, Bob Simon, was a "60 Minutes" correspondent who was respected for his knowledge of foreign affairs. The newsmagazine has been generating headlines of its own in recent months. Paramount earlier this monthagreed to pay $16 million to President Donald Trumpto end what has been viewed in many legal circles as a flimsy lawsuit tied to a pre-Election Day interview between Bill Whitaker, a "60 Minutes" correspondent, and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. The decision has vexed supporters of the program and of journalism in general, who charge Paramount executives risk tarnishing a media brand that has long sought to hold power to account and to probe events with an independent lens. Paramount is in the midst of trying to push forward on a sale to Skydance Media, and Trump's lawsuit, and a separate probe by the Federal Communications Commission are seen as attempts to block that goal, or to squeeze payments out of the corporation in exchange for a path to the merger. People familiar with CBS News operations believe weeks of leaks about Paramount's legal machinations and of the "60 Minutes" staff's aversion to any kind of settlementhave served to undermine the show. "60 Minutes" continues to generate some of TV's highest ratings. Simon, before taking on an interim executive producer role in April following Owens' exit, was the show's executive editor for six seasons. Prior to that, she was a senior producer whose responsibilities included overseeing digital content and supervising production of "60 Minutes Sports," a monthly sports-focused edition of the program that ran on Showtime. She joined the staff in 2000, working with correspondent Ed Bradley on a variety of reports including the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Duke University lacrosse rape case and a rare interview with Bob Dylan. Simon went on to produce for nearly all the "60 Minutes" correspondents over the next decade, including Steve Kroft, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, and her father. "Tanya Simon understands what makes '60 Minutes' tick. She is an innovative leader, an exceptional producer and someone who knows how to inspire people," saidTom Cibrowski, recently named president and executive editor of CBS News, in a statement. "Tanya knows that the success of today's '60 Minutes' depends on delivering a weekly mix of the most informative, impactful and entertaining stories and investigative journalism from around the world. This is the true essence and foundation of '60 Minutes.'" Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 24, 2025

Tanya Simon to Lead CBS News’ ‘60 Minutes’ as Executive Producer

Tanya Simon to Lead CBS News' '60 Minutes' as Executive Producer CBS News named Tanya Simon the new executive producer of "...

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Immigrants forced to eat 'like a dog' in 'overcrowded and chaotic' detention centers

Immigrants forced to eat 'like a dog' in 'overcrowded and chaotic' detention centers

Forced to eat the day's only meal "like a dog," with their hands shackled behind their back. Detained for days with nothing but shoes for a pillow and no other bedding ‒ just cold, concrete floors and constant fluorescent lighting. Medical care that denied a man with diabetes insulin for a week and may have contributed to at leastone death. A Human Rights Watch report says three Miami immigrant detention facilities have subjected people to conditions so inhumane they have become, at times, life-threatening. Many ICE detention facilities are becoming overcrowded and conditions are deteriorating,according to the July 21 report. The report, which drew from the testimonials of 17 detainees, examined conditions since PresidentDonald Trumptook office in January. Investigators say conditions at theKrome North Processing Center,Federal Detention Center and Broward Transitional Center flout international law on holding people in immigrant detention and federal government standards. The conditions for people held in the detention facilities "are not the way that any legitimate, functioning government should treat people within its custody," report author and editor Alison Leal Parker, deputy director of the Human Rights Watch's US Program, said. While the facilities have had issuespredating thisadministration, Parker said Trump administration officials have been unwilling to uphold standards to properly treat immigrant detainees. The conditions indicate the system is "overwhelmed, overcrowded and chaotic," she said. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, said claims of subprime conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers are "FALSE." "All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers," McLaughlin said in an emailed statement. "Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE. ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens." Southern, Republican-led states have emerged as key partners in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.Florida stood up a tent citycalled "Alligator Alcatraz." Georgia is expanding its largest ICE detention center. AndLouisiana is hostingthe most dedicated ICE facilities outside Texas. Entrepreneur Harpinder Singh Chauhan, 56, spent time at all three facilities during nearly four months as a detainee, beginning in February. The British national, who first entered the country on an E-2 investor visa in 2016, opened small businesses in Florida. One of them failed ‒ a franchise of Dickey's Barbecue Pit,which also bankrupted many other franchisees. He and his wife were seeking permanent residency through a valid EB-5 visa petition when their business collapsed. While Chauhan was never convicted of crimes, he was ordered to pay restitution to Florida for tax issues, court records show. In February, he was turned over to ICE after a routine probation check-in. At the Krome facility, he spent days in cold, crowded processing cells without beds or showers. He said he was denied medical care, including insulin for his diabetes and an inhaler for his asthma. He used his shoes as a pillow. During a tuberculosis outbreak, he said the facility had no soap. Instead, staff made detainees use shampoo to wash their hands. Detainees jokingly said everyone had "Krome's disease," a play on Chrohn's disease, a chronic gastrointestinal illness, Chauhan recalled. Detainees were beaten for protesting their treatment, and one man was hogtied, the report said. Officials also used solitary confinement as punishment, according to women who spoke to Human Rights Watch. In June, detainees at Krome signaled "SOS" to news cameras from the yard over conditions. The report said women were placed at Krome, a privately operated men's facility, where they were crowded in small holding cells without gender-appropriate care or privacy.USA TODAY reportedon similar conditions inside Krome, where one man died ‒ an incident Human Rights Watch suspectsmay have been linked to medical neglect. Akima, a private Alaska Native Corporation that operates Krome, didn't respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. But in response to a Human Rights Watch letter summarizing findings and questions, the company said it couldn't comment publicly on the specifics of its "engagement" with the government, according to the report. Midway through his detention, on April 15, Chauhan was placed inside a crowded Federal Detention Center holding cell awaiting transfer without a meal for the day. Styrofoam food containers sat full for hours on other side of the federal prison's bars. In the evening, he and others finally received food. But with their hands shackled at their waist, they were forced to eat by putting their faces to bite into potatoes rolling around, rice and dry chicken, he said. "You've got to kind of prop it up with your knees and then eat out of it like a dog," Chauhan said. Another 21-year-old detainee interviewed by Human Rights Watch also described being forced to eat like an animal. The 25 to 30 men forced to eat this way were transferred from the facility several hours later, Chauhan said. Less than a week later, at Broward, Chauhan collapsed in the heat awaiting dinner and was taken to a hospital, with no information given to his family. He had not had his insulin for nearly a week. A 44-year-old Haitian woman,Marie Ange Blaise, died at the facility in April, following a medical emergency that was not treated urgently, according to Human Rights Watch and advocates. "We strongly believe her death could have been prevented," Guerline Jozef, director of the nonprofit Haitian Bridge Alliance told USA TODAY at the time. "We will continue to demand accountability and protection for people in ICE custody." GEO Group, which operates Broward, denied the report's allegations, including questions about Chauhan's account. The facility has around-the-clock access to medical care, as well as access to visitations, libraries, translation services and amenities, Christopher Ferreira, a spokesperson for the company, said in a statement. Support services are monitored by ICE, including on-site personnel, and other organizations within DHS. Chauhan was ordered deported and boarded a flight back to the United Kingdom on June 5. His family, including two adult children, stayed in Florida to close what remains of their businesses. Now living outside London, Chauhan said he plans to keep paying his Florida debt. Even though his family is ready to leave, he hopes to one day return to America. "Every nation goes through a dark time," he said. "I feel this is just a test." Lauren Villagran contributed to this report. Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email atemcuevas1@usatoday.comor on Signal at emcuevas.01. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Report blasts immigration detention conditions under Trump

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 24, 2025

Immigrants forced to eat 'like a dog' in 'overcrowded and chaotic' detention centers

Immigrants forced to eat 'like a dog' in 'overcrowded and chaotic' detention centers Forced to eat the day's only meal ...

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Turkish Airlines passenger dies during flight to California — and now no one can explain where the body is

Turkish Airlines passenger dies during flight to California — and now no one can explain where the body is

A Turkish Airlines passenger died during their international flight to California — and officials can't explain where the body is located. The passenger was onboard a flight out of Istanbul heading to San Francisco on July 13 when they "suffered a severe medical emergency," according to the aviation blogAviation A2Z. The crew was preparing to divert the plane to Keflavik Airport in Iceland after the passenger died midair. However, they ultimately decided to continue flying toward North America rather than divert outside US airspace. The urgency to make an emergency landing decreases after a passenger dies, allowing the crew to find an airport that is better equipped to handle the situation, according to the outlet. "Upon entering the airspace over the United States, the crew opted to land at CHICAGO O'HARE (ORD), a major international hub capable of handling emergency landings with adequate medical support and facilities," Aviation A2Z reported. The cause of the passenger's medical emergency remains unknown. Upon landing at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, the body was removed from the aircraft. At this point, responsibility should have shifted to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. However, medical examiner spokesperson Natalia Derevyanny toldSFGATEthat they have no record of a body being brought to them from the flight, nor does the office have any cases that would match the description of the incident. Turkish Airlines station manager Ertugrul Gulsen confirmed the diversion to Chicago O'Hare and added that the passenger's remains were later placed on a separate flight to San Francisco, but did not elaborate further. The location of the passenger's body is still unknown. The Post has reached out to Turkish Airlines for comment. Medical emergencies occur on approximately 1 in every 600 flights, or 16 per million passengers, according to theCDC. About 3 out of every 1,000 incidents are fatal. While medical emergencies are not rare, in-flight deaths are less frequent. A study published inThe American Journal of Emergency Medicinein 2021 on in-flight emergencies also found that "death onboard a commercial aircraft is actually quite rare." Nearly all in-flight deaths unrelated to crashes are due to cardiac arrest, often from heart conditions worsened by flight stresses like low oxygen and immobility. In March, an EasyJet passengerwent into a suspected cardiac arrest and diedwhile aboard a flight from Spain to England. Three passengers, including a nurse, on the budget airline traveling from Tenerife to Liverpool John Lennon Airport sprang into action and tried to revive the 67-year-old woman who collapsed shortly after takeoff on March 25 by performing CPR. However, she died before the plane touched down at Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport.

byKonstantin Pynzar

in

July 24, 2025

Turkish Airlines passenger dies during flight to California — and now no one can explain where the body is

Turkish Airlines passenger dies during flight to California — and now no one can explain where the body is A Turkish Airlines passenger died...

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