Video: And now, an important message from celebrities on ObamaCare

posted at 4:10 pm on September 22, 2009 by Allahpundit

People I recognized in this video: Ferrell, the schmuck from “Mad Men,” and, tragically, Tom Lennon and Ben Garant of the late, great “Reno 911!” Thank goodness in hindsight that it was canceled this summer; the thought of having to boycott it over these two cutting an ad for one of the filthiest, most unprincipled left-wing PACs in Washington fills me with sadness.

As always with these spot-the-celebrity political spots, it’s boring and three times longer than it needs to be simply in order to accommodate everyone involved with sufficient camera time. Not one in 10 of you will make it all the way through, but as an incentive to get you to try, you’ll discover that (a) apparently 80 percent of America is gung ho for the public option, which is news to me and to the dozens of Blue Dogs terrified of what’ll happen to them next year if they vote for this sinkhole, and (b) people who make millions churning out one unwatchable piece of bilge after another inexplicably feel no shame in accusing insurance executives of being overpaid. Happy viewing.

Update (Ed): Here’s Will Farrell’s pay from a few of his movies, courtesy of IMDB:

Salary

  • Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006): $20,000,000
  • Bewitched (2005): $20,000,000
  • Kicking & Screaming (2005): $20,000,000
  • Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004): $7,000,000

No one who pocketed $20 million for any movie, let alone Bewitched and Talladega Nights, has any room to talk about overpaid execs.

Blowback

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Comment pages: 1 2 3 4

What do these people know about any of this anyway? Why should I care what they think?

Terrye on September 22, 2009 at 4:11 PM

“Ferrell”

No need to read any further.

BobMbx on September 22, 2009 at 4:12 PM

Where’s this 80% of people who support the public option?

hawksruleva on September 22, 2009 at 4:12 PM

More straw men in that video than at a Wizard of Oz convention.

Scrappy on September 22, 2009 at 4:12 PM

Is it at all connected to the NEA? Wouldn’t shocked if it were. Actors are “artists” right?

Sharr on September 22, 2009 at 4:13 PM

And where are all of these greedy insurance companies, anyway? The dominant insurance companies in most states are non-profits.

hawksruleva on September 22, 2009 at 4:13 PM

RICO. Racketeering charges are the only answer.

5 years from now someone is going to write a really good book on the whole tentacled mess, but what needs to happen now is the FBI is going tohave to go in there and get their stuff.

GunRunner on September 22, 2009 at 3:56 PM

- – -

In their minds

bluegrass on September 22, 2009 at 4:13 PM

You were right, I could not watch the whole thing.

texasconserv on September 22, 2009 at 4:13 PM

What do these people know about any of this anyway? Why should I care what they think?

Terrye on September 22, 2009 at 4:11 PM

They get paid millions to do act like they’re something they’re not. In this case, their acting like intelligent people.

hawksruleva on September 22, 2009 at 4:14 PM

AP takes a bullet so I an others do have to. I will trust your critic and go from there.

WashJeff on September 22, 2009 at 4:14 PM

Don Draper is a lib??? Breaks my heart…

gippergal1984 on September 22, 2009 at 4:14 PM

I guess Ferrell’s wiener joke comedy routine isn’t paying as well as he had hoped.

Bishop on September 22, 2009 at 4:14 PM

Will Ferrel is in it. I do not watch him, he is about as funny as a two day dead skunk.

Holger on September 22, 2009 at 4:14 PM

I have never understood how anyone finds Will Ferrell funny.

His material is terrible and his delivery is awful.

I mean, I despise Alec Baldwin but I can acknowledge that the guy can act. He was great in Glen Garry Glen Ross.

But Farrell? Putrid. Embarrassing to watch.

And he’s apparently stupid, too.

NoDonkey on September 22, 2009 at 4:15 PM

Nice try AP, but I’m not drunk enough.

Erich66 on September 22, 2009 at 4:15 PM

Bear Grylls should have left Will Ferrell above the artic circle when he had the chance.

WashJeff on September 22, 2009 at 4:15 PM

Hey, I made it all the way through! I’m shocked, because usually wealthy celebrities don’t speak out on things that they have no understanding about. Usually they are well read on most things. Very strange.
Unless it is just an ego exercise? Nah, that can’t be it.

JeffinOrlando on September 22, 2009 at 4:15 PM

I found it kind of funny and conservatives should take note
with this technigue.
Imagine what could be done to people who voted on the bailouts or voted not to defund acorn. Its mocking but it does it to the wrong people of course. This could be turned around and used by our side for our purposes
Zo and Crowder.redeye , RNC do something like this.

kangjie on September 22, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Wonder if this was produced after the NEA call. Useful useless idiots. The best part of this election has been my desire to shut off the TV, stop going to movies and spend more time educating myself on history and attending teaparties.

ihasurnominashun on September 22, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Didn’t even make it 0.0000001% in AP, in fact did not even click on the link :)

davek70 on September 22, 2009 at 4:16 PM

They get paid millions to do act like they’re something they’re not. In this case, their acting like intelligent people.

hawksruleva on September 22, 2009 at 4:14 PM

Not well

Zetterson on September 22, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Two Celebrities, One Cup

LibTired on September 22, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Didn’t Obama state that 80% figure in his news blitz that none of us watched?

What’s the source of that figure?

Skywise on September 22, 2009 at 4:17 PM

I like the “They’re rich , take their money” meme..

the_nile on September 22, 2009 at 4:17 PM

Is it at all connected to the NEA? Wouldn’t shocked if it were. Actors are “artists” right?

Sharr on September 22, 2009 at 4:13 PM

Hmm, wasn’t “artists” what that ACORN lady suggested Hannah call herself? Actors-prostitutes : Tomato-tomahto.

mjk on September 22, 2009 at 4:17 PM

They get paid millions to do act like they’re something they’re not. In this case, their acting like elites intelligent people.

hawksruleva on September 22, 2009 at 4:14 PM

This may be better.

WashJeff on September 22, 2009 at 4:18 PM

That’ll backfire just like everything else the dems have done on the Nationalized Healthcare front. Some things Americans don’t like: being talked down to, having crap legislation shoved down their throte in the dead of night, being told what to think by the elites. Fortunately for us, the these are the favorite tactics of The One and his followers so they will keep doing things Americans hate and as a result they will continue to push more Americans away from their policies instead of drawing them in. The One isn’t so The One-ish now that he’s an actual president instead of just a candidate now is he?

t.ferg on September 22, 2009 at 4:18 PM

Given that I hated Will Ferrell after his first two years of SNL, it doesn’t hurt.

Seriously, what is the appeal of that guy? Never understood it past the Night at the Roxbury schtick.

MadisonConservative on September 22, 2009 at 4:18 PM

I’m not interested in the opinions of those to whom this issue doesn’t matter.

Fighton03 on September 22, 2009 at 4:18 PM

kangjie on September 22, 2009 at 4:16 PM

I would be very disappointed in Gutfeld, Schulz and Levy if they didn’t make fun of this video in some manner.

mjk on September 22, 2009 at 4:18 PM

Didn’t Obama state that 80% figure in his news blitz that none of us watched?

What’s the source of that figure?

Skywise on September 22, 2009 at 4:17 PM

It’s the same figure the used for “US weapons smuggled into Mexico” , it’s a good propaganda figure.

the_nile on September 22, 2009 at 4:19 PM

Where’s this 80% of people who support the public option?

hawksruleva on September 22, 2009 at 4:12 PM

I watched this earlier just so I could argue it. I didn’t get this line either. Are they confusing it with the 80% of Americans that are happy with their healthcare insurance?

truetexan on September 22, 2009 at 4:20 PM

So it’s back to demonizing insurance companies. I guess I’ll have to go to one of these upcoming “spontaneous” “grassroots” demonstrations.

Hmmmmm…. Should I make and wear a

“I Love My Healthcare and Don’t Want to Pay for Yours” T-shirt
-or-
Infiltrate the mob carrying a “Pay More Taxes for My Free Healtcare” sign?

ROCnPhilly on September 22, 2009 at 4:20 PM

Lame.

CP on September 22, 2009 at 4:20 PM

Wow. I made it through, I feel stupid and need a shower….

Will Ferrer sucks and always did. I guess growing up in the Mean Streets of Irvine hardened him up..

KZnextzone on September 22, 2009 at 4:20 PM

I’m so sick of these left-wing hack actors pushing their leftist agenda on television, among other places (although this is on the web, thank God). What pisses me off is that they bury it in their shows (Boston Legal, Law and Order, anyone?) I don’t freakin’ care about what they think of politics, whether they are left or right-wing. Nobody cares what they think. Looks like Will Ferrell’s partner in crime, Adam McKay’s douchebaggery has rubbed off on him over the years. His last couple of movies a)sucked; b)were thoroughly disgusting; or c)both. Semi-Pro sucked, and Step-Brothers was insanely gross and definitely not a comic masterpiece. They need to take their egos down a notch and realize that most of Middle America doesn’t give a flying f**k about what they think of socialized medicine.

NathanG on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

That was one of the “…or die” ones.

jdpaz on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Obamacare: 60% of the time, you get coverage every time.

jhffmn on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Blaming the insurers brings to mind this satire (with photo): “Obama Credits Handful of Green Eyeshades with His Decision to Radically Reinvent Entire Health Care System” http://optoons.blogspot.com/2009/09/obama-credits-handful-of-green.html

Mervis Winter on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Aren’t all people who slobber over this nitwit celebrities already on board with this stupid plan already?

I mean, if you’re sitting on the couch, eating bon bons and watching these clowns all day, free health care probably sounds like a good deal.

NoDonkey on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Wow…rich people telling me how to think.

How “progressive.”

29Victor on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Well, it’s apparent they already consumed the Kool Aid, now let’s give Wolf some real competition on the next episode of Celebrity Jeopardy.

BigMike252 on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

I don’t care what you people say, Talledega Nights was funny as hell.

But maybe that was because of John C. Reilly.

uknowmorethanme on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

If Ferrell was intelligent, he wouldn’t have done Land of the Lost.

kingsjester on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Will Ferrel is in it. I do not watch him, he is about as funny as a two day dead skunk.

Holger on September 22, 2009 at 4:14 PM

The ones he did with his daughter were great. Otherwise, I’m not a fan and was kinda glad when Land of the Lost tanked, because a bunch of friends wanted to see it before that.

Unfortunately, I recognized more people. “Turk” from “Scrubs” and “13″ (right?) from “House”.

It’s just sad how ignorant they are, but every president needs a useful idiot. Still, who the hell are they to complain about people trying to make money? Are they really that unself-aware.

Esthier on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Good thing I get all my facts, and political arguments from Hollywood. I just didn’t know what to think about Obamacare until this guy came along to fill me in.

classicaliberal on September 22, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Where’s McCarthy when we need him?

TXUS on September 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

…..I’ve changed my mind!!!!!!!

Woo!!!

Obarky Care!!

blatantblue on September 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

Watch Ferrell lackey Adam McKay try to justify himself.

Jim Treacher on September 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

(b) people who make millions churning out one unwatchable piece of bilge after another inexplicably feel no shame in accusing insurance executives of being overpaid.

They don’t feel even the tiniest bit of shame saying that someone else is overpaid, do they. Amazing… They actually think that what they do is important and that they deserve the fortunes they make for pretending. And they think they because they make a fortune pretending, people should take what they say about public policy seriously. Unbelievable.

But then what do we expect with a celebrity president who is all surface and no substance?

ProfessorMiao on September 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

I have to believe them. One of those guys played a surgeon on “Scrubs.” He’s gotta know more about health insurance than me. Right?

Pope Linus on September 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

Can’t watch. Just knowing that someone from my beloved Mad Men supports Obamacare has completely ruined my day.

LASue on September 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

I thought it was going to be another “I Pledge” to our messiah commercial.

Jeff from WI on September 22, 2009 at 4:23 PM

If I knew even who half these people were, I might listen. On the “I Pledge” video, I didn’t know who most of the actors were, so why would I take them seriously? And even if I did know who they were, why would I listen to anything an actor has to say on politics?
It’s difficult enough to listen to a clueless politician without yelling at the television, so why create more stress with a clueless actor who has no voting power?

manateespirit on September 22, 2009 at 4:23 PM

We should wage class warfare against them and their mini-zoos.

p0s3r on September 22, 2009 at 4:23 PM

D E S P E R A T E!!

ohiobabe on September 22, 2009 at 4:23 PM

In this case, their acting like intelligent people.

hawksruleva on September 22, 2009 at 4:14 PM

No they aren’t.

Seriously, what is the appeal of that guy? Never understood it past the Night at the Roxbury schtick.

MadisonConservative on September 22, 2009 at 4:18 PM

Never understood it myself. He annoys me in most roles, though I liked him alright in “Stranger Than Fiction” but then, he wasn’t overly “funny” in that one.

Esthier on September 22, 2009 at 4:24 PM

I cannot remember the wording to the quote by Kid Rock. It basically said that he sees whatever Hollywood is backing and goes the other way. I agree, there must be some kind of requirement to be an ignorant a@#hole to be successful in the entertainment industry.

TXMomof3 on September 22, 2009 at 4:24 PM

Celebrities shouldn’t be paid more than the TOTUS and the rest of their fee should go to the poor. Unless these well meaning Celebs are just “selfish”.

ronsfi on September 22, 2009 at 4:24 PM

Some might say Will Ferrell is wildly overpaid for running around in his underpants. Those people are un-American.

Jim Treacher on September 22, 2009 at 4:24 PM

If this message raised approval of Obamacare, America’s best days are behind her.

jhffmn on September 22, 2009 at 4:24 PM

Ach du lieber…

Even people on the other side of the debate wouldn’t buy that crap.

ElectricPhase on September 22, 2009 at 4:24 PM

These fatcat actors make me sick. Making all of their millions of dollars of “profit”… what about us little guys?

Think about all the CO2 that was released into the atmosphere to make this.

I had to stop it about 1:38 into it.

smrtas1 on September 22, 2009 at 4:24 PM

It was Jeff.

btw I thought Lt. Dangle was a character. Ascot dude? F*ing Ascot???WTF?

KZnextzone on September 22, 2009 at 4:24 PM

I love actors. They’re so delusional they actually believe the audience doesn’t know they are paid to read someone else’s words. Like news anchors.

And I’m not being sarcastic.

itsacookbook on September 22, 2009 at 4:24 PM

OMG, they got to Don Draper?

It saddens me to know I will never watch Mad Men again – ever. I love that show.

faraway on September 22, 2009 at 4:25 PM

Sponsored by MoveOn.org. Gee, I wonder who donated the money to MoveOn?

Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 22, 2009 at 4:25 PM

ProfessorMiao on September 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

You mean making potty jokes isn’t worth 10 million a picture?

Because that’s art, you know.

NoDonkey on September 22, 2009 at 4:25 PM

Wake me when Hollywood becomes entirely irrelevant. If this video is any indication, we’re almost there. That was pretty pathetic.

sherry on September 22, 2009 at 4:26 PM

Watch Ferrell lackey Adam McKay try to justify himself.

Jim Treacher on September 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

Brilliant. The guy has no idea.

Esthier on September 22, 2009 at 4:26 PM

So that’s where my tax dollars went, via NEA…

Vashta.Nerada on September 22, 2009 at 4:26 PM

Sadly, I did sit through Bewitched one time, and its just as horrible as you would’ve expected. If you’re going to do a celebrity thing though, shouldn’t you include people most would recognize? I don’t watch Mad Men, so other than Ferrell I had no clue who those people were.

changer1701 on September 22, 2009 at 4:26 PM

You all may have noticed this already, but if you look at the producing credits you see MoveOn.org. Anyone surprised?

MTF on September 22, 2009 at 4:26 PM

Where’s McCarthy when we need him?

TXUS on September 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

Calling Zombie McCarthy

faraway on September 22, 2009 at 4:27 PM

I was gonna prove you wrong and make it all the way through, but I couldn’t. My loss, I’m sure.

kas on September 22, 2009 at 4:27 PM

I agree, there must be some kind of requirement to be an ignorant a@#hole to be successful in the entertainment industry.

TXMomof3 on September 22, 2009 at 4:24 PM

How dare you insult Paris Hilton like that. -_*

TXUS on September 22, 2009 at 4:27 PM

Here a link quoting a poll where actually 89% are HAPPY with their coverage, just think the industry needs some quality control.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/24/obama-pushes-national-health-care-americans-happy-coverage

truetexan on September 22, 2009 at 4:28 PM

“Petey”couldn’t get it right when it counted either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el5QXV-W5_g&feature=related

Jeff from WI on September 22, 2009 at 4:29 PM

So that’s where my tax dollars went, via NEA…

Vashta.Nerada on September 22, 2009 at 4:26 PM

Yeah, you people are all too stupid to recognize that this is ART and they are ARTISTS.

BigD on September 22, 2009 at 4:29 PM

They are all so phony even their phony concern over health insurance profits had to be scripted.

fourdeucer on September 22, 2009 at 4:29 PM

the schmuck from “Mad Men

Alright AP, this is WAR! You can call Glenn Beck any names you want, but please do not call Joe Hamm/Don Draper a schmuck………….even if he is in this lame video and more than likely another leftwing moonbat

He’s HOT!

Knucklehead on September 22, 2009 at 4:29 PM

OMG, they got to Don Draper?

It saddens me to know I will never watch Mad Men again – ever. I love that show.

faraway on September 22, 2009 at 4:25 PM

Makes me feel better about the fact that I watched the first episode and found the entire premise and cast completely revolting.

MadisonConservative on September 22, 2009 at 4:29 PM

How dare you insult Paris Hilton like that. -_*

TXUS on September 22, 2009 at 4:27 PM

Hey, my 9 year old daughter said she was going to vote for Paris in the presidential election. Turns out she is smarter than 52% of these other losers in this country. I think Paris would have done a better job and looked cute doing it.

TXMomof3 on September 22, 2009 at 4:29 PM

If I want to hear from Hollywood , I will Google an old Charlton Heston speech . A real star , a real American . Dennis Miller is the nearest thing to a replacement I can think of .

borntoraisehogs on September 22, 2009 at 4:29 PM

Honestly, everyone should take note of all celebrities that appear in these types of adds and make sure that your hard earned dollars never make it into their bank accounts. If all conservatives/conservative independents boycott ALL of their work (and I mean ALL), they’ll soon begin to understand that we really mean what we say…

Fuzzlenutter on September 22, 2009 at 4:29 PM

OMG, they got to Don Draper?

It saddens me to know I will never watch Mad Men again – ever. I love that show.

faraway on September 22, 2009 at 4:25 PM

That’s the one that got me too. I guess it just shows you how good he is at his Mad Men character that you’re shocked by this crap he’s spewing here.

LastRick on September 22, 2009 at 4:30 PM

When will these HOLLYWOOD idiots ever learn that WE DON’T CARE WHAT THEIR OPINION IS?

Khun Joe on September 22, 2009 at 4:30 PM

More cowbell, this time from the cowbell guy himself. Some great irony in that but, sorry, my mind is still not changed. What you guys gonna try next?

stldave on September 22, 2009 at 4:31 PM

How is Land of the Lost not on your list of crap Will Ferrell was over payed for?

Shtetl G on September 22, 2009 at 4:31 PM

(a) apparently 80 percent of America Hollywood is gung ho for the public option

Fixed for dramatic effect.

portlandon on September 22, 2009 at 4:31 PM

Can’t watch. Just knowing that someone from my beloved Mad Men supports Obamacare has completely ruined my day.

LASue on September 22, 2009 at 4:22 PM

I feel the same way about Reno 911, although I will still watch reruns of the show. No big deal to me. I just sort of figure that most of the actors on shows I like are liberals and then I am surprised when a few of them aren’t.

NathanG on September 22, 2009 at 4:31 PM

I always thought these people were just acting like idiots.

Jed_Eckert on September 22, 2009 at 4:31 PM

Will Ferrel is about as funny as an all day plane crash. What kind of moron thinks that it is the role of government to compete with private industry???

Scarbarian on September 22, 2009 at 4:32 PM

And you can reach Adam McKay, one of the founders of Funny or Die through Twitter: @ghostpanther

He’s written some genius contributions for HuffPo, like when he suggested the new Democrat majorities start regulating the media for “the public good”:

1. Get a real media.

Can we please bring back the regulations that Reagan started dismantling back in 1980? These news people fight for ratings like hungry dogs tearing at a sack of day old burgers to please the same four massive corporations and it leaves very little room for tiny stories like “Does Saddam truly have WMDs?” or “Is a signing statement an end run around the Constitution?” How about we eliminate all advertisements on the evening news and make it a prestige endeavor? After all, the networks are supposed to be serving the public good. And hey, local news, we get it. There are unseen germs in Hotel rooms and Predators that want to take our children.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-mckay/humble-suggestions-for-re_b_33720.html

karlant on September 22, 2009 at 4:32 PM

If it really is 80% support, then what’s the hold up? Have vote, clearly congress isn’t moving FAST ENOUGH. Didn’t Obama even assert over the weekend that he’s “Winning the healhcare debate”? For a guy winning the debate he sure doesn’t behave that way…

Sharr on September 22, 2009 at 4:32 PM

The burning…the burning…why won’t Will Ferrell pay for my burns after I attempted to blind myself with acid after watching Land of the Lost? Or at least refund the cost of my ticket. Oh wait, I snuck in, never mind. The burning…the burning.

Ennuipundit on September 22, 2009 at 4:32 PM

You with your Hotair blogin’
And you skeptics always contemplatin’
How my coronation you’d like to start rearrangin’

When that’s not what you really should do
When heaven has found your children and you
Can’t you see
That it’s all wrapped up in the Messiah that’s Me
So follow Me

Come on, children
Follow Me
I’m Obama the Piper
And I’ll show you where Hope and Change is at
Come on, children
Can’t you see
I’m Obama the Piper
Trust in Me

Children
Don’t be worried about your parents payin’ big bucks to help Me move and grove
Hey, children
What do you think I’m tryin’ to prove
It ain’t true
That My adviser Ezekiel would like to kill your parents and rob you
It’s just in your mind
And that’s all that’s trickin’ you
So behind all My celebrities step in line

Come on, children
Turn in your evil racist parents for Me
Come on, children
Trust in My Teleprompter and My Pills and My Candy and Me
Come on, children
Can’t you see
Come on, children
Follow Me

MB4 on September 22, 2009 at 4:33 PM

OMG, they got to Don Draper?

It saddens me to know I will never watch Mad Men again – ever. I love that show.

faraway on September 22, 2009 at 4:25 PM

Yeah. I was shocked too. If only a John Deere riding mower could remedy his pimping for ObamaCare…….

portlandon on September 22, 2009 at 4:33 PM

NathanG

AMEN !!!!!!

hamradio on September 22, 2009 at 4:33 PM

I wonder what the Screen Actors Guild thinks of all this…?

… Oh, that’s right, they are a Union and exempt from Obamacare.

Seven Percent Solution on September 22, 2009 at 4:33 PM

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