Oscar Celebs Confronted About Politics By Fox News Red Carpet Reporter (VIDEO)
"The O'Reilly Factor" engaged George Clooney, Glenn Close, Sandra Bullock, Angelina Jolie and others in conversation about the state of the union, whether they wanted to or not.
Outside of a joke delivered by host Billy Crystal that likened Republican presidential candidates to psycho crack addicts, the Oscar telecast was mostly politics-free. Apparently, that was despite the best efforts of The O’Reilly Factor, which was on the red carpet trying to drum up some partisanship among celebrities.
PHOTOS AND VIDEO: Oscars 2012: The Red Carpet Arrivals
Factor ambush journalist Jesse Watters started by asking actors what shape the country was in.
"That’s a longer discussion than a red carpet," said Angelina Jolie.
"I think we’re kind of pissed off right now as a country," said Glenn Close.
"I don’t have an opinion on that," Jason Segel said.
Watters and the Factor editors cut some footage of classic and not-so-classic films into the humorous segment, which aired Monday night on The Fox News Channel.
Video is below.
Like Segel, many Oscar-goers seemed to want to avoid a political controversy, so steered clear of Watters and his FNC microphone.
Watters told Bill O’Reilly after the segment aired that Cameron Diaz, for example, told her assistant: "Oh, no. I don’t do Fox News."
"So I got totally Hollywood-ed by her," Watters quipped.
At one point, an Academy official told Watters, "I don’t like those questions," Watters told O’Reilly. "The Academy is very disappointed in you," she told him.
James Cromwell and Michael Moore raved about the Occupy Wall Street movement, which the former called "the beginning of the revolution."
Watters also asked the celebrities if they considered O’Reilly to be "fair and balanced."
"Mentally or physically," joked Sandra Bullock.
"Listen, I’m gonna stay out of a fight with Bill," said George Clooney. "For once in my life I’m going to wish him nothing but the best."
PHOTOS AND VIDEO: Oscars 2012: Executives Red Carpet Arrivals
Milla Jovovich told Watters to skip the politics and ask about her dress. He did, and she informed him who she was wearing. After Rooney Mara told him she was wearing a Givenchy gown, the editors inserted Paul Newman delivering his "failure to communicate" line from Cool Hand Luke.
Clooney was the most gracious, even embracing – seemingly, at least -- the opportunity to discuss politics on the red carpet, though he scolded Watters for referring to the president merely by his last name.
"He's the president of the United States. Not 'Obama.' He’s the president of the United States," Clooney tells Watters.
In the recap, O’Reilly sides with Clooney, even after Watters points out an incident where Clooney refers to Obama’s predecessor merely as "Bush."
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