Penny was in quite the perplexing mood as she found herself unexpectedly praising some unlikely characters from Hollywood. Yes, you read that right. It was a day for giving credit where credit’s due, and who would’ve thought it would be Ellen, Rosie O’Donnell, and Cher getting the nod? Apparently, these stars did something quite “noble” in the eyes of our columnist—they packed up and exited stage left the moment President Trump was elected. While some may call it fleeing, Penny called it integrity, a rare incident where celebrities actually did what they promised. Rather than retreating to the utopian lands they often idealize aloud, they headed to white-picket-fenced Europe—ironic, she noted, given their political inclinations.
In a deeply contrasting display, Sean Penn, the Hollywood actor known for less conventional choices, remained in the U.S. and continued with his colorful life adventures. This week, quite comically, he showed up on Bill Maher’s podcast in an outfit that screamed “eccentric artist”: grubby shoes, unwashed look, and the kind of weariness that might remind one more of a down-and-out sage than a movie star. One wonders if those taped-up sneakers are meant to symbolize his stand against consumerism—or just a lack of time for a shoe shopping spree.
Penn’s usual unique opinions were on full display, boldly labeling Donald Trump as the evil mastermind trying to destroy the world. A wild claim coming from the same man who has had casual chats with infamous figures like Hugo Chavez and the Castro brothers. The irony of criticizing dictatorships while having rubbed elbows with the actual dictatorial crowd was hard to ignore. Penny couldn’t help but marvel at how Sean, with his history of getting cozy with such figures, could paint Trump as the villain of his narrative.
Bill Maher, known for his liberal takes, actually flummoxed as he compared the idea of Sean dining with real autocrats while refusing to give the President of the United States any semblance of a chance. Maher amusingly observed that Sean’s reluctance might be a product of his political bubble, a powerful illustration of how narratives can diverge wildly depending on which echo chamber you frequent. Maher believed that you don’t really know a person until you’ve shared a meal with them—an experience, not a headline, shapes deeper truths.
And thus, Penny credited Maher for holding the fort of open-minded dialogue, something seemingly rare in today’s polarized world. It was rare praise for a liberal, but perhaps in these times when conversations turn into shouting bouts and debates morph into accusations, there’s a silver lining in acknowledging common sense when one sees it—even if it emerges from the most unexpected quarters. While she chuckled at Maher’s quip, she couldn’t have agreed more with the sentiment of bridging gaps through experience rather than assumption. She concludes with a round of applause for the day’s unexpected heroes.
