Fox News late-night host Greg Gutfeld did not hold back during his Wednesday show in responding to an actor who lashed out at ‘straight’ men following the dismal opening of the gay romantic comedy “BROS.”
Gutfeld’s response came after Billy Eichner, who stars in the gay romantic comedy “BROS,” blamed its weak opening on “straight people, especially in certain parts of the country.”
“Last night I snuck in and sat in the back of a sold out theater playing BROS in LA. The audience howled with laughter start to finish, burst into applause at the end, and some were wiping away tears as they walked out. It was truly magical. Really. I am VERY proud of this movie,” he said on Twitter.
“Rolling Stone already has BROS on the list of the best comedies of the 21st century. What’s also true is that at one point a theater chain called Universal and said they were pulling the trailer because of the gay content. (Uni convinced them not to),” he wrote. “America, f*ck yeah, etc etc.”
Rolling Stone already has BROS on the list of the best comedies of the 21st century. What’s also true is that at one point a theater chain called Universal and said they were pulling the trailer because of the gay content. (Uni convinced them not to). America, fuck yeah, etc etc.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 2, 2022
“That’s just the world we live in, unfortunately. Even with glowing reviews, great Rotten Tomatoes scores, an A CinemaScore etc, straight people, especially in certain parts of the country, just didn’t show up for Bros. And that’s disappointing but it is what it is,” he continued. “Everyone who ISN’T a homophobic weirdo should go see BROS tonight! You will have a blast! And it *is* special and uniquely powerful to see this particular story on a big screen, esp for queer folks who don’t get this opportunity often. I love this movie so much. GO BROS!!!”
Everyone who ISN’T a homophobic weirdo should go see BROS tonight! You will have a blast! And it *is* special and uniquely powerful to see this particular story on a big screen, esp for queer folks who don’t get this opportunity often. I love this movie so much. GO BROS!!! ❤️🌈
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 2, 2022
Eichner’s online rant led to an admonishment of sorts from Gutfeld along with an offer of advice: Stop insulting the vast majority of the country.
“There are some lessons here, Billy. One, if you promote a film that’s identity specific, you’re going to exclude as much you pretend to include. You’re telling the audience that this is for others, but maybe not you,” he began.
“It’s true whether you do a gay flick or a documentary on switchblades. After you spend years demeaning instead of growing audiences, you blame everyone but yourself when no one shows up. That’s the long-term effects of identity politics on your personality,” Gutfeld said.
“Nothing is ever your fault. You are a perennial victim. It’s actually the only thing that identity politics actually creates. It’s not audiences, it’s victims,” Gutfeld noted further. “But also, Billy got tricked by Hollywood’s phony virtue signaling to actually think that his audience would be larger than it is. So it’s no wonder the theaters were emptier than a room where they’re trying to surprise Kamala on her birthday.”
“So at least on Twitter where he blames lack of ticket sales on homophobia and straight people and certain parts of the country. But that’s even more B.S. Because the real no-shows are his people because he already drove away everyone else. It isn’t Trump supporters who let Billy down, it was his supporters. Which is a good thing for Billy. As people like Billy on the left always stress, diversity is so important and your movie was rejected by a very diverse crowd. People of all stripes said screw that noise,” the host continued.
“Talk about unity, this country came together and say they’d rather get dental work than see Eichner’s movie. But that’s probably on art based on identity. Even people who identify with you might even resist it. If Hollywood keeps making movies that alienate the public, that’s on them,” said Gutfeld. “You have to be a real lunatic to be surprised by that.
“So Hollywood lost the plot once they made identity a priority over entertainment. That got Billy the movie gig, but it didn’t give the audience much more. Instead, you’re left with films that have strong political, social and cultural messages but aren’t entertaining,” he observed before offering up some words of counsel.
“Billy, if you want people to come see your movies, don’t call them losers. Why not get to know the greater audience instead of browbeating them,” he said.
“But remember this is the guy that said ‘f Trump, f his whole family, f anyone that chose to work with them and f every single Trump voter.’ And guess what? I’m still with her, you misogynist American dummies. I guess, Billy, you found out the feeling is mutual,” he said.
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