In this clip from this week’s episode, John McWhorter fills in for Glenn and talks with actor Clifton Duncan. Clifton tells John how opting out of COVID vaccination, protesting what he sees as COVID protocol overreach, and speaking out about race have profoundly damaged his career in the entertainment industry. It’s not just Clifton who’s at risk. Theater attendance is way down, and some argue that the influence of BLM-style politics accounts for this newfound unpopularity.
Great conversation, thank you. I wasn’t familiar with Clifton but I’m now looking forward to seeing him put together this Thomas Sowell project, I enjoyed his presence in this interview. It makes me sad he’s getting ostracized but also heartened because I feel similarities to his story in my world. I appreciate that he puts integrity over external success. There is a quality of experience from living in alignment with oneself that is its own reward - while it causes suffering to be cast out, this ultimately costs less than outwardly living a false life. True suffering > faux contentment. Something like that.
I love how honest Duncan is, from obsessively cleaning his door knobs to hanging out unmasked in Atlanta. So refreshing. His ability to critically think and basic observations is impressive. Great interview. Every statement Duncan makes is spot on. Loved it! It's such a shame his career had to take a hit for it. I wish him all the best whatever the future holds for him.
Great interview John! I wish Mr Duncan much success in the future and hope he finds what God has planned for him. His ability to follow objective truth, no matter the personal toll, is an inspiration to all of us. Thanks for continuing to bringing us excellent content as Glenn recovers.
What jo said. I was in terror of actually listening to this because of what might be said about "Fat Ham" which I saw on streaming after it had won the Pulitzer, and the theater seemed full and everyone was having a great time. The right woke play like "Suffs" can do very well. But if the traditional theater audience think they are no longer the audience they won't go or will have learned to watch livestream theater.
Older people have been huge supporters of theatre in nyc and around the USA at the LORT theatres. I think a big reason for low attendance is that a lot of older people are not coming back into the theaters because they are still fearful. The stadiums are being filled by young people. It’s not just the bad programming, but the age issue and the fear of Covid that haunts some older people.
Theatre needs to find younger audiences and do good work again. No hectoring and no political agendas. Just good exciting theatre.
Great conversation, thank you. I wasn’t familiar with Clifton but I’m now looking forward to seeing him put together this Thomas Sowell project, I enjoyed his presence in this interview. It makes me sad he’s getting ostracized but also heartened because I feel similarities to his story in my world. I appreciate that he puts integrity over external success. There is a quality of experience from living in alignment with oneself that is its own reward - while it causes suffering to be cast out, this ultimately costs less than outwardly living a false life. True suffering > faux contentment. Something like that.
You not gon' get covid in the club, but you might get pink eye!
BLM and Covid didn't wreck America but, it certainly pulled back the curtain on who is pulling the strings. And why.
I love how honest Duncan is, from obsessively cleaning his door knobs to hanging out unmasked in Atlanta. So refreshing. His ability to critically think and basic observations is impressive. Great interview. Every statement Duncan makes is spot on. Loved it! It's such a shame his career had to take a hit for it. I wish him all the best whatever the future holds for him.
Great interview John! I wish Mr Duncan much success in the future and hope he finds what God has planned for him. His ability to follow objective truth, no matter the personal toll, is an inspiration to all of us. Thanks for continuing to bringing us excellent content as Glenn recovers.
I see no blatant identity politics in any of this although there may be some self-satisfied liberal politics.
https://www.goldderby.com/awardshows/editor-predictions/tony-awards-nominations-2024-predictions/best-play/sort/recent/
What jo said. I was in terror of actually listening to this because of what might be said about "Fat Ham" which I saw on streaming after it had won the Pulitzer, and the theater seemed full and everyone was having a great time. The right woke play like "Suffs" can do very well. But if the traditional theater audience think they are no longer the audience they won't go or will have learned to watch livestream theater.
Older people have been huge supporters of theatre in nyc and around the USA at the LORT theatres. I think a big reason for low attendance is that a lot of older people are not coming back into the theaters because they are still fearful. The stadiums are being filled by young people. It’s not just the bad programming, but the age issue and the fear of Covid that haunts some older people.
Theatre needs to find younger audiences and do good work again. No hectoring and no political agendas. Just good exciting theatre.