Hollywood Goes Global
An interesting piece in the New York Times last week talked about how the global popularity of American entertainment hasn’t really improved the country’s image around the world.
Of course, our cultural output not changing international perceptions might not be a bad thing.
I remember getting in cab in London about 10 years ago. Upon hearing my voice, the driver immediately began grilling me as to whether my family—and in fact, all Americans—behaved like the folks on “Jerry Springer.” My relatives? No, of course not, I replied. (Well, okay. Maybe sometimes. But we certainly don’t do it on television.)
In the article, one observer noted that the entertainment industry was pressured by White House officials to produce the kind of pro-USA propaganda Hollywood put out during World War II.
In reality, a new resident at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is more likely to change world perceptions than Iron Man waving an American flag. Still, it makes me consider what residents of other nations think about our marketing output, which is so often closely tied with our entertainment offerings these days.
All the world is a stage. I wonder what reviewers think of our performances.
