Hollywood’ Responsibility

Many thanks to your newspaper and Carole Lieberman for her commentary “The Role of Hollywood in Copycat Crime” (Counterpunch, Sept. 2). The hypnotic effects of movies, music and television, especially the bon vivant lives of the stars and rap artists, as depicted in the many entertainment expose TV shows, have not yet even begun to be adequately measured in terms of their effects on the viewing and listening audience.

And while this distinct lack of discernment on the part of the American public points directly to a declining spiritual and intellectual capacity (even though many believe it to be causative), it does not absolve, in any way whatsoever, those involved in the production of such puerile fantasies of their formidable responsibilities.

Lieberman is correct in asserting that while those in Hollywood may hide behind the 1st Amendment or an infantile concept of artistic prerogative, they cannot hide the fact that their creations are below mere trash. They are pandering to the lowest possible sensibilities.

We see a hideous cynicism on the part of the production chiefs and “artists” who unleash such long-living and far-reaching creations upon the world. Let’s face it: Behind their supposed desire to “tell it like it is “ or “reflect what’s out there on the street” is a gargantuan ego set to gain fame at any cost and wipe out any conscience (public or private) in their scramble for wealth.

Not only has the copycat crime gained ground, but also the culture at large has become one based on derivative themes, looks and fascinations. This generation of music is based largely on 30-year-old themes, the movies based on market research (past performance), and TV need not even be commented on.

With the millennium bearing down on us, will we lose forever revelation of character, structural invention, imagination, and the divination of spiritual truth? I don’t think so, but you won’t find it in the current popular entertainment industry.

Let us all pray for an end to the glorification of murder, perversion, orgiastic excess, lust and greed in the movies, music and literature of today.

PETER ZAPPAS

Laguna Beach