Tim Allen Compares Being Conservative In Hollywood To Living In ‘1930’s Germany’ And It Doesn’t Go Over Well

Tim Allen was on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week and while it seemed to be a harmless appearance when it aired, The Washington Post picked it up and pointed out that it highlights a certain experience for some in Hollywood. This quote, in particular, stood out for many and caused a stir online Saturday:

“You get beat up if you don’t believe what everybody else believes. This is like ’30s Germany.”

It’s not a secret that being a Conservative in Hollywood keeps you on the outside usually and Allen’s comments did garner quite the laugh at the time. The conversation started with started with Allen’s invitation to the inauguration, but soon went to the topic causing trouble. Most folks on Twitter were quick to respond and point out his arrest for cocaine in the late ’70s and others took offense to the comedian using Nazi Germany as a comparison for the plight of the right wing celebrity.

https://twitter.com/AkashSmarts/status/843261440723111936

https://twitter.com/RiffingIRL/status/843346434871189504

Now while none of this is surprising and is far from the first time Tim Allen has talked being a Conservative in Hollywood or has said something offensive, The Washington Post shows that it does highlight a growing feeling for many in show business. His joke on Kimmel seems to hit on something that plenty seem to feel, including members of the Friends of Abe:

Allen, who plays a vocal conservative on his sitcom, “Last Man Standing,” has been one of few in Hollywood to speak openly about his right-leaning views.

Another 2,500 of his colleagues feel so stigmatized that they have joined a clandestine support group, according to a Los Angeles Times article profiling retribution and secrecy forced upon “the vast majority of conservatives who work in entertainment.”

“In 30 years of show business, I’ve never seen it like this,” an unnamed actor told the outlet. “If you are even lukewarm to Republicans, you are excommunicated from the church of tolerance.”

The Post notes that Allen has been wishy washy on his stance for Donald Trump, telling Fox News that he compared to Trump to amateur comedian and “didn’t want to defend the guy.” But in an interview with Megyn Kelly, Allen defended Trump supporters in Hollywood and called the “bullying” they seemed to face “hypocritical.”

Allen’s comments and standing are likely enhanced due to the controversial nature of the Trump administration. Conservatives in Hollywood are nothing new and it hasn’t always affected them in the past. Clint Eastwood is still directing films despite talking to his chair at the Republican National Convention. But those views have typically been able to fly under the surface for many and are now being teased out due to the extreme response from all sides on Trump. That’s the only logical reason a Tim Allen chat with Jimmy Kimmel can become fodder on a Saturday for The Washington Post. Some would rather remember Tim Allen in a way that he’s still beloved for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMZ0GuMWkGE

(Via The Washington Post / LA Times)