Civil war brewing at Fox: Judd Apatow, 'Modern Family' creator Steve Levitan join Seth MacFarlane in outcry over Fox News pro child-detention stance
President Trump has created a firestorm thanks to his decision to separate the children of unauthorized immigrants from their parents and detain them in holding facilities that — as still images, video and audio have now indicated — include chain-link cages. And predictably, Fox News has toed the commander-in-chief’s line, with Laura Ingraham on Monday going so far as to dub these establishments “essentially summer camps [or] boarding schools.” That may be going over well with the right-leaning channel’s core viewership, but for those entertainment creators who are presently doing business with Fox, it has increasingly become an untenable position — and they’re now speaking up against it.
Over the weekend, Seth MacFarlane, whose animated Family Guy has been a Fox hit for 16 seasons, tweeted that he was “embarrassed” to be working with the network, thanks to comments such as those by Tucker Carlson. Carlson, the Fox News host, informed the public that the truth was the opposite of whatever the mainstream media reports:
In other words, don’t think critically, don’t consult multiple news sources, and in general, don’t use your brain. Just blindly obey Fox News. This is fringe shit, and it’s business like this that makes me embarrassed to work for this company. https://t.co/kC7MPYxdgZ
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) June 16, 2018
With over 43,000 likes to date, MacFarlane’s social media post clearly struck a nerve with many on the platform. And now, he’s been joined by two other Hollywood heavyweights. In a series of tweets published yesterday and today, Judd Apatow — who severed ties with the Fox network after the 2002 cancellation of his series Undeclared — went to town on Fox for its coverage of the aforementioned child-separation policy, while proclaiming solidarity with MacFarlane for his outspoken stance against his bosses.
I haven’t worked with Fox since 2002. That family promotes evil ideas and greed and corruption. We all choose who to work with. I understand why that is easier for some than others but many powerful people are powerful enough to speak up to their bosses at a moment like this. https://t.co/8NtsqsR8Xj
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) June 18, 2018
That’s exactly what I said. Everyone can’t stand up to their bosses but many people who work at Fox are In Powerful positions and CAN say they do not support the networks support for evil policies. https://t.co/aiOlXhLvqt
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) June 18, 2018
Michael Tammero at Fox News is assisting kidnappers (The President and his administration) who are holding children for ransom. Who is he to criticize anyone? He IS the problem. https://t.co/WJIT0KzA2e
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) June 19, 2018
People don’t want to deal with the fact that when you work for any part of Fox you are supporting a family which has made billions lying and manipulating our citizens for their personal financial gain. Now that includes supporting the kidnapping of children. That’s your boss. https://t.co/mCKnOeXQzX
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) June 19, 2018
If as an editorial policy @FoxNews said it was wrong to hold children hostage to get a wall Trump would adjust his approach to this issue. There is no doubt the Murdoch family has the power to change this conversation. https://t.co/arbHTSDKQF
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) June 19, 2018
Joining in the chorus was also Modern Family co-creator Steve Levitan, who likewise made it clear that he stands with MacFarlane — and against Fox, despite the fact that 20th Century Fox Television produces his long-running sitcom.
Let me officially join @SethMacFarlane in saying I’m disgusted to work at a company that has anything whatsoever to do with @FoxNews. This bullshit is the opposite of what #ModernFamily stands for. https://t.co/dnvIbgoIyA
— Steve Levitan (@SteveLevitan) June 19, 2018
In turn, Apatow also praised Levitan:
Way to go Steve. Who’s next? It’s important to speak up when your boss is the propaganda arm which promotes putting children in cages and holding them hostage so Trump can build a wall. What other stars, showrunners or executives from Fox will speak up against this madness? https://t.co/mXukluuPgl
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) June 19, 2018
Given the growing outcry against Trump’s ongoing policy, and Fox News’s steadfast desire to stand by the president, one can only assume that this is only the beginning of a mounting entertainment-industry backlash against Fox.
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