David Spade Critiques California Leadership Over Hollywood’s Decline

In a recent podcast episode of “Fly Over the Wall,” David Spade, aged 61, shared his thoughts on the state of Hollywood. He and co-host Dana Carvey discussed what he described as the “death” of Hollywood, suggesting he was “just trying to shift the blame somewhere else.” Spade reminisced about his days filming “Just Shoot Me” at CBS Radford, recalling seeing Jerry Seinfeld ride his bike there. “It was a great lot,” he noted. “But hey, we’d just filed for bankruptcy. Things were scary in LA. Thanks, [LA Mayor] Karen Bass. Thank you, [Gov.] Gavin Newsom.”

Carvey echoed Spade’s sentiments, stating that the Hollywood studio system is “dying” and that significant changes are needed for its revival. “Production is going down,” Carvey explained, urging for negotiations with unions and tax incentives to make the industry competitive with places like Romania.

Spade and Carvey aren’t alone in their concerns about Hollywood’s future. Other notable figures, including Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson, have been named special ambassadors for Hollywood by Donald Trump, aimed at revitalizing the industry. Voight has openly supported Trump’s push for 100% tariffs on overseas filming, emphasizing the importance of bringing jobs back to California.

In a May 2025 interview, Voight expressed appreciation for the president’s interest in Hollywood, stating, “We really need help. We can’t let it go down the drain like Detroit did.” He believes that studios have the talent and resources necessary to keep production local but emphasized the need for a competitive environment to attract filmmakers back.

Voight firmly believes that this isn’t a partisan issue. “We don’t differentiate by party affiliation. If we can collaborate on a viable plan, I think we can restore Hollywood to what it once was.” His long observation of the industry has led him to witness a gradual decline in Hollywood over the years. However, he remains optimistic that through collective effort, a brighter future can be achieved.

Voight recently remarked on the changing landscape of filmmaking, adding, “I’m old enough to remember Hollywood’s golden age, and I’ve seen its slow deterioration. Today, the situation is tough; there are very few films being produced here. Yet, I believe with the right support, we can revive Hollywood.”