Times are Tough for Actors, But How Big a Whore Are You?

Lisa Derrick Wednesday April 8, 2009 8:04 pm

The above ad seems to have real, concerned people who are really (wrongly) concerned about same sex marriage (um, shouldn’t they be like worried about the economy, war and stuff that actually affects them?).

But as the video below–which is the casting tape–shows, that’s a trick. The people in this revolting, lie and hate filled ad from the National Organization for Marriage are actually actors. And where there’s a trick, there’s usually a whore.

I spoke to three working actors about taking parts in political commercials and asked if they would take a role in a political commercial if they did not believe in the cause. Here’s what they had to say:

Michael Des Barres:

Absolutely not. Every word every syllable every voice counts now more than ever. I’ve been a whore for the machine. Those days are gone…

Robbie Rist:

If I am doing well, I would be able to pick and choose the gigs I take. If it was a political ad that I didn’t agree with, I would say no. If I needed work badly…bad gig here I come. That’s why we get called ‘whores’. I don’t like it but it is a reality.

When Rist saw the NOM ad he firmly stated:

No. Not that one. It’s on a gig by gig basis.

Cat Noel:

I was offered the part of a "real person" (concerned mom), endorsing a candidate who I found personally repulsive. As a working actor, I don’t have the luxury of turning commercials down. But I made a decision early on that I would never cheapen myself THIS much. I’m not a snob. I’ve voiced garbage bags and crotch cream, but I won’t say words that are the opposite of me.

Oh and side note: WFT National Organization for Marriage, stealing our meme of "nom"? On top of being lying sacks of homophobic thoecratic haters f*you for ruining ICanHasCheesburgers/LOL Cats!! F*you!

[H/T Americablog]

Margot | Wednesday April 8, 2009 08:24 pm 1

I guess it shouldn’t surprise meto see people mouthing these words but it does. Love your actor friends’ comments.

Margot | Wednesday April 8, 2009 08:44 pm 2

Digg

cobernicus | Thursday April 9, 2009 04:05 am 3

Lisa,

It is, I suppose, possible that these actors actually endorse these homphobic, paranoid delusions. Is it worse to be a whore or a bigot? Or both?

Some questions are better left unpondered

QuickSilver | Thursday April 9, 2009 10:44 am 4

I love that the audition tape got leaked.

If only we could see more of that (panicky) first-draft script:

Man: “Iowa and Vermont in one week — it’s the end times.”

Lady: “Don’t think lightning can’t strike your house.”

[Lightning Effect]

Man: “Don’t make a dog marry a cat.”

Lady: “I’m melting…” (Etc.)

Lisa Derrick | Thursday April 9, 2009 05:27 pm 5

In response to cobernicus @ 3

I would think that there are conservative actors who have turned down in Gardia commercials, for birth control, for liberal politicians…It’s one thing to get cast in a movie or teevee show as someone who is contrary to your views–but voicing a political opinion in an ad, even it there’s that tiny type face that reads “these are actors but the incidents they describe are real” is endorsing it with your face and voice. Maybe the actors in this ad believed what they were saying (church acting groups?), and maybe one reason the actors sucked so much is that they couldnt find decent ones to read the lines.

cobernicus | Thursday April 9, 2009 07:38 pm 6

In response to Lisa Derrick @ 5

Lisa. I think we are agreeing. They are both whores and bigots, and not particularly good at their job. Unfortunately, the shear idiociy of the ad is getting it a lot of free air time.