Starstruck late-night commentators gush over Democrats as midterm elections near

They’re not even pretending to be neutral anymore.

With the midterms approaching, late-night hosts seem to have taken on the role of Democratic campaign surrogates. The lawn signs and door-to-door canvassing are about all that’s missing.

Imagine a Hollywood agent giving a star a script by a well-known conservative commentator. The agent might be out of a job by the end of the meeting. Maybe that’s changing, though. We’ll see.

Jimmy Kimmel gave California Gov. Gavin Newsom a friendly interview this week and praised Democratic Senate hopefuls Abdul El-Sayed and James Talarico. It was all rather earnest. You start to wonder where the jokes went.

Jon Stewart also used his latest “Daily Show” monologue to urge voters to push back against the Trump administration. “Send a message to this reckless s**tshow of an administration,” he said Monday. These days, Monday is the only night he hosts the show. Howard Stern is on a similarly reduced schedule.

The old Stewart might have found a way to make a pro-Democratic pitch funny. At least, I think he would have.

Parrish the thought

I thought Jennifer Lopez was just Jenny from the Block. Apparently, she may also be having a behind-the-scenes clash with director Robert Zemeckis over their upcoming Netflix thriller, “The Last Mrs. Parrish.”

That’s according to reports claiming the film tested poorly and that Lopez and Zemeckis disagree over the project. Netflix, Lopez, and Zemeckis issued a joint statement disputing the reports. So, allegedly on top of allegedly.

Hollywood’s latest production dispute might end up being more entertaining than the movie itself. It happens.

Breaking snooze

When the Nazis took power in Germany, some people risked their lives to resist. Sophie Scholl circulated anti-Nazi leaflets before the Gestapo arrested and executed her. Dietrich Bonhoeffer joined the resistance and was hanged. Claus von Stauffenberg tried to kill Hitler with a bomb and was executed by firing squad.

So where are the courageous Americans willing to take a stand now that the country is supposedly under the shoe of “Der Orange Man”?

Kathy Griffin, apparently. At least that’s the impression left by her latest unsolicited political post, which compares voting Republican with keeping fascists in power.

“Can any of you guys not sleep because of fascism? Me too. I’m obsessed with it.”

Maybe a glass of warm milk would help, Ms. Griffin. No one wants to interfere with your beauty sleep.

Aaron can handle the truth

In Hollywood, even a little self-awareness is welcome. Aaron Sorkin, the outspokenly liberal filmmaker, has written scripts sharp enough to earn praise from some conservatives. “The West Wing” was an idealized Democratic fantasy, sure, but it was lively and entertaining.

Directing may be another matter. Sorkin’s latest film, “The Social Reckoning,” made little impression at the box office. He wrote and directed the movie, which takes aim at Facebook and President Donald Trump.

Now he’s expressing doubts about his abilities behind the camera.

“There are parts of screenwriting — important parts — that can be taught and can be learned, but there are parts that can’t be. And those parts that can’t be? That’s usually what we mean when we use the word ‘talent.’ I’m very worried that the parts of directing that I’m not good at are those parts that you can’t learn.”

Well, admitting there’s a problem is a start.

Rom-con?

Here’s hoping Skydance kept the receipt.

The company, now known as Paramount Skydance, has completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, putting the storied studio and a collection of valuable franchises under one corporate roof. DC Comics, “Harry Potter,” and “The Lord of the Rings” are all part of the package.

So is the possibility of a very large bill.

Warner Bros.’ 2026 theatrical releases are reportedly expected to lose more than $800 million, with films such as “Digger,” “Supergirl,” and “The Bride!” among the disappointments. Next year may not be much kinder.

“Panic Carefully” and “Paris Paramount” are among the upcoming films carrying hefty budgets. “Paris Paramount” may even become the most expensive romantic comedy ever made. That’s a lot to spend on a rom-com, though Hollywood budgets have a way of surprising people. Paramount may be finding that out the hard way.

Write wing

Imagine an agent handing a Hollywood star a script by a prominent conservative commentator. The agent might be fired on the spot.

Or maybe not.

“Confession,” which is due in select theaters on Nov. 11 and will also be available through the company’s streaming service, stars Rob Lowe, Nick Nolte, James Franco, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Dean Norris.

The screenwriter is Ben Shapiro.

Set in 1938, the film stars Lowe as a professor accused of harboring anti-Soviet views. Franco plays a former student assigned to break the professor’s spirit.

Actors with right-leaning politics have often faced professional consequences. James Woods, an Oscar nominee, hasn’t had a major film role in more than a decade.

“Confession” could be a hit, or it could flop. Either way, there’s something encouraging about familiar actors choosing a project that appealed to them and accepting the possibility of cultural blowback. It feels like a small shift, but a welcome one.