MEDIA WATCH | THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

The Hollywood Distorter Showing its True Colors

Seriously? Did your critic see the same network launch that I did? On the Scientology TV channel premiere I saw a new religion finding its own voice on the world stage.

March 16, 2018

Matthew Belloni
Hollywood Reporter

Mr. Belloni,

Seriously? Did your critic see the same network launch that I did? On the Scientology TV channel premiere I saw a new religion finding its own voice on the world stage and justly proud of its accomplishments in the fields of human rights, decency, morality and service to the community.

To crawl behind your critic Frank Scheck’s eyeballs and squint through those baby browns, however, one imagines how he sees the world: a chicanery parade where there is no help, no sincerity—just another punch line adorned with adjectives.

“The Hollywood Reporter is the premier destination & most widely trusted resource for entertainment news, reviews, videos & more.” (to quote your website).

Shall we call you The Hollywood Distorter now?

Did you, Editor, even see the review before running it? Certainly Frank wrote it without seeing the network launch. I'm sure that saved time before you guys went to press. I will grant you the review touches all the bases: Age-ism (sneering at the Deerings’ successful business on the grounds that they’re middle-aged). Racism (sniffing at the idea that people of color in Inglewood can actually help one another). Xenophobia (snidely suggesting to “cue the panpipes” as the South American nation of Colombia struggles to regain its footing). Bigotry (Come on, Frank. Did you already have a preformed opinion about Scientology going into this review, huh?)

Jacques Brel once wrote, “If you let them, they will crochet the world the color of goose shit.” With reviews like this, Frank not only provides the needles and pattern, but yards of excrement-colored yarn, as well.

You should do better.

Martin Landon
STAND Member Los Angeles