I’ve never really cared one way or the other about Tim Allen. He’s best known, as an actor, for two things: the ‘90s show Home Improvement and his voice work in the Toy Story franchise. He got his start in stand-up comedy and drug-running (more on that in a moment), and he currently stars on the TV show Last Man Standing. I guess I knew he was conservative at one point, but he’s not really in-your-face about politics either way. Anyway, Allen went on Jimmy Kimmel Live to chat about his TV show and other stuff. Kimmel asked him about whether he attended the inaugural events in DC. This is what happened:
Tim Allen, 63, plays an outspoken conservative on the sitcom “Last Man Standing” and is one of the few actors in Hollywood to profess having right-wing leanings.
When Kimmel asked him about attending the inauguration ceremony the “Home Improvement” star’s eyes bulged and he stammered: “I was invited, we did a VIP thing for the vets, and went to a veterans ball, so I went to go see Democrats and Republicans.”
“Yeah I went to the inauguration,” he added. Kimmel told him “I’m not attacking you.” It was the perfect setup for Allen to draw on his deep knowledge of the rise of the Nazi Party:
“In this town, I’m not kidding, you gotta be real careful around here, you know, you can get beat up if you don’t believe what everybody believes. This is like ’30s Germany! I don’t know what, I don’t know what happened. If you’re not part of the group—“You know, what we believe is right…” I go, “Well, I might have a problem with that.” I’m a comedian—I like going on both sides.”
The video of the exchange is below. Sigh… Tim Allen needs to stop. Like, I’m not even outraged, I just think the whole exchange is stupid and absolutely one of the dumbest analogies ever. He’s saying that he, as a conservative (and likely Trump voter), feels like Hollywood is Nazi Germany. When the guy he probably voted for has actual f–king Nazis as advisers. When the guy he voted for spent months cozying up to the KKK, white supremacists and the “alt-right.” SPARE ME, Tim Allen.
As the drug trafficking thing… #NeverForget that Tim Allen was a cocaine dealer in the 1970s. He avoided a life sentence because he snitched on two dozen other dealers.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Seems like these old white rich men have all the same opinion.
Yes. And poor them because they feel like they have to be “real careful” not to publicly state their racist, misogynist, xenophobic, jingoist ideas or someone might disagree with or even condemn them! ‘Cos that is Just like in Germany in the 30’s, rme!!
Right? Obviously being a conservative has really made life hard for him, with his constant work and millions of dollars and……
HE WAS A COCAINE DEALER?!! holy cats.
I’ve nothing to add to the rest. I’ve made it pretty clear what I think of anyone who in any way legitimizes, normalizes or is complicit with the current administration.
That being said, I spent some time on Breitbart last night. The Kool Aid fumes are so strong, it’s horrifying.
Oh wow brave soul for checking out Breitbart. I’ve spent a bit of time there too to try and get some insight and it’s best taken in very small doses.
And I see enough of the kool aid drinkers in my hometown (Chicago) newspaper’s comments sections. I worked myself into a depression just this morning wading through all the pro-Trump comments on a couple stories. I feel like things were pretty quiet and that the resistance was actually dominating the comments for a while, but the deplorables are now back at it with a vengeance. Their relentless demonization of scientists today was unbelievable.
And yeah, Tim Allen is a shady guy.
On the pro 45th websites photos of the orange one are actually ‘shopped to make him look thinner and more statuesque. That part is hilarious.
Allen was also a RAT, that turned on others to get out of prison. Of course he supports draft dodger Trump.
Ok I didn’t know he was a dealer, nor did I know he was an idiot. I used to watch Home Improvement, and I loved him in Toy Story. Damnit, another one on the list.
This. Urgh, I’m so disgusted.
Same for me.. is a shame to have to Issue his No Country Bulletin cause GORL I LOVE ME some Galaxy Quest and Home Improvement LOVE ME IT!
Ahh I just watched Galaxy Quest the other day. Why does Tim Allen have to be such a chode? Alan Rickman was the best part of that movie, but now I won’t be able to watch it without being disgusted every time I see Allen’s character. D:
I love Galaxy Quest so much. And of course he’s the voice of Buzz Lightyear.
His name is actually Tim Dick and I remember his mug shot floating around way back during the home improvement days when I was middle school aged. He always seemed like an a hole.
His real name is very fitting.
Ah yes, I’ve always wanted to know more about Tim Allens political ideologies…. ahaha no. He’s always been a dick. Even his character on Home improvement was a dick. This surprises me not at all.
JTT, Al Borland, Wilson, any of those over Tim.
Yeah wasn’t he mean to JTT ( A CHILD AT THE TIME) when he came out as gay? I vaguely remember him banning JTT from their work Christmas Party at the time. I don’t remember all the details but it really changed my opinion of him from “lovable dad” to “jerk in real life”
erm whaat?
To both JTT being gay and to Tim being a bigger sack of useless than I thought.
This is exactly what Auschwitz looked like
https://www.trulia.com/blog/celebrity-homes/tim-allens-hollywood-hills-home-is-for-sale/
Poor Tim is clearly suffering.
Yea, just another conservative who thinks that he or she is the real victim because some people are starting to have rights equal to theirs.
If he supports Trump he should own it.
100% this.
Yes. Interesting that Kimmel had to calm down his panic at being “outed.”
I’m tired of right-wing actors putting forth the same rhetoric, almost word for word. Allen, Jon Voight, Kelsey Grammar, Patricia Heaton all work constantly despite their constant claims that the liberals in Hollywood gang up against them and blacklist them.
Add gamergate guy, Adam Baldwin. He’s totally ruined Firefly for me.
oh no! what about him? I dearly love Firefly 🙁
He’s a very outspoken far right conservative and the guy who named gamergate. That was a scandal in the gamer world that involved targeting and harassing women developing games. It was really just an effort to drive women out of gaming and make it a safe bro-space forever. He’s also anti-vax. His twitter feed is generally cringe inducing.
Right? Tim Allen and Patricia Heaton are both currently starring in successful sitcoms, Jon Voight was in one of the biggest moves of 2016 and I’m sure Kelsey Grammer is crying over his lack of work when he sleeps on the pile of money he made from Frasier and all his voice overs on the Simpsons.
I think Grammer works more than any of them, except Voigt. He also produces a great deal so he’s working all the time.
Each of them has made a lot of money in Hollywood. Still making that money. Nobody obviously cared about their political positions. I never liked him. and never watched his shows. I did watch and love Fraiser. I’ll just forget about Kelsey’s views. I love Fraiser.
I love Frasier, too, mostly for Eddie, Niles, Daphne and Martin.
I love Fraiser also! Eddie, Niles, Daphne and Martin are my faves too. FWIW I have met Kelsey Grammer and he wasn’t a jerk like some celebs, so that’s something. I don’t know, he’s pretty awful lol.
Also, a lot of Trumpsters (probably all of them actually) always say Hollywood needs to shut up about politics yadda yadda yadda, they are in a liberal elite bubble, we don’t care what they have to say etc etc. Yet the lob praise on people like Tim Allen for saying this ridiculous stuff, Jon Voight, Patricia Richardson, Ted Nugent, Toby Keith, Jesse James, Kelsey Grammer and so on. I’ve also seen them use the recent quotes by Mark Wahlberg and Denzel to bolster their case. And one (which I don’t know if it’s legit) by Kurt Russell, which said something like “I don’t think Hollywood actors should talk about politics because they are so isolated,” the actor said before talking about his love for the second amendment.
It’s hypocrisy at it’s finest. If all Hollywood should stop talking about politics, that means all of Hollywood! Not just liberals. Also there was a comment by one calling PBS news hour liberal garbage, even though it is probably one of the most neutral news shows I watch. This person’s alternatives were Info Wars, Breitbart and Fox. It doesn’t work like that deplorables!!
This is why I won’t even tell Susan Sarandon to can it, she can talk all she wants, but we can also judge her on it.
45 government is pro Reich and Hollywood is Nazi? You mean the one who calls out against ban and healthcare issue and meals on wheels and defund Art so they can build a wall? That is Nazi? Not the White guys that were supposedly anti-government making decision on behalf of the ordinary citizen but O misere do just that; GRAB THE POWER AWAY AND FROM ANYONE OF US? what type of alternative facts books he has been reading if any? Me think he awaits for Mar A Lago invite.
His career is founded on sexism & men being complete idiots yet who should still be in control……he’s like a unlovable version of Homer Simpson who demands respect but deserves none.
Has anyone here read this:
Palm Beach Mayor Says They May Have to Raise Taxes to Pay for President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Visits
http://fortune.com/2017/03/18/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-taxes/
I’ve read it. They should call a press conference to present Trump with the bill. Maybe then he’ll stop taking 3-day golf vacations every weekend at the tax payers expense.
OH MY GOD, WHO WILL THINK OF THE PLIGHT OF THE RICH, WHITE MAN, Y’ALL????
It reminds me of a Louis C.K. bit – “What? We’re supposed to feel bad for white guys now? Is ten thousand years of unchecked prosperity not enough for you?”.
said it before, I’ll say it again.
when you’ve been privileged your whole life, equality feels like oppression. these guys who have been on top forEVER are now like “wait a minute, I’m not special anymore?!”
equality for all doesn’t mean LESS for them, even though that’s how they feel.
it was the same thing with allowing gay folks to get married. the people against it felt that by letting gay people do it too, it somehow de-legitimized their marriage. which, of course, makes no sense, but neither do most of these people like Allen.
I’ve been thinking on this and I think equality does mean ‘less’ for white men. As I look at my mainly female company and how men rise through the ranks much quicker. Remove privilege and suddenly they have to be BETTER THAN their female colleagues to get promotions whereas right now, a white man at my company just has to work equal-to his female colleagues and up the ranks he goes. So if equality became a thing, suddenly these men would lose positions to their more talented female or minority rivals. So really, equality does mean ‘less’ for them since they’re used to getting more benefits and being treated equal means only be promoted for your merit and skill.
This is my personal theory as to why so many of them fight progress. Because deep down they know they benefit from discrimination.
I see what you’re saying, and I think the important distinction is that they PERCEIVE that they’re getting less when, in fact, they’re not really “getting less”…they’re just no longer “getting more” than the other people, which is what they’re used to.
as I said, they’re used to being privileged, and they saw that privilege as their “god given right” (read: “equality”), but not because they’re white and male…they just assumed they had worked harder to get there (the bigots, of course, thought they did deserve it more BECAUSE they’re white and male). the idea that everyone had the same opportunities and support structure is part of that fallacy of “equality”.
so, by not getting special treatment anymore, yes, in that sense they are getting “less” than they used to.
@Doofus:
“when you’ve been privileged your whole life, equality feels like oppression.”
Yes, exactly this.
I’m sure he’s studied Nazi Germany in depth. I hear some prison libraries are quite extensive.
Hah
My list of Childhood Faves is shortening by the day. I’ve broken many a pencil crossing people off of it
TOOL Time indeed.
Hehehe. He is a tool and his time has been up for a long time now.
LMAO!! Nice.
Good one!
There are plenty of highly successful Hollywood conservatives and Tim Allen is one of them. The money people in Hollywood care about making money above all, they don’t care how liberal or conservative an actor is. Maybe a lot of artists in Hollywood lean liberal but the money people probably lean conservative overall. So maybe he doesn’t get some pleasant conversations that he wants from a lot of other actors but he’s still a massively successful guy who was an A-lister in his prime. Of course he’s not an A-lister right now, nobody stays on top forever.
FTS. I am not feeling sorry for any Rich White Men who thinks they are “suffering”. These elitist with the nice big homes and money that they can buy the world, and I should feel pity for them.
I am not against anyone who is conservative, but I am against people who are conservative that don’t use their heads and agreeing with people believes “Rich and White” is “GOD’S GIFT TO MAN” and they are the protectors of “WHITE HERITAGE”. In other words I can’t stand people who thinks they are superior than you.
So Tim Allen wants to have the audacity to come on Jimmy Kimmel live and speak about poor me White Conservative Man being blacklisted for his views about a man who thinks that racism is the way of the world, IS ABSOLUTELY DO NOT DESERVE MY SYMPATHY.
Well said, Kiki!
If this man had the slightest clue about Nazi Germany those words wouldn’t have fallen out of his mouth. His lack of knowledge is seriously depressing.
Thanks for this article. You nailed it!
The very few surviving Holocaust survivors left on earth are incensed at the comparisons. Eazy D said something like that TOOLMAN.
I just went off on Fb for this: my thoughts-this guy has not suffered in any way-he’s been working continuously since the 90s. Also-yes, he’s a convicted drug dealer-in any other industry it would be almost impossible to be hired: he’s damn lucky he’s in liberal Hollywood where they do not care.
This, all of this.
The convicted felon, whose current net worth is estimated at $80 million and was once the highest-paid actor on television, was on a highly-rated, network nationwide talk show to talk about his current network sitcom, past network sitcom and one of the most long-lasting and successful animated franchises in history, all of which are shot/created/executed in and around this Hollywood he says has forsaken him due to his politics. I mean, after he attended said inauguration, for which he claims he was horrifically shunned, he returned immediately to shooting his sitcom for which he’s reportedly paid 1.25 million dollars PER EPISODE, a nightmare I’m confident most other released felons can DEFINITELY relate to. Heck, how does Allen even vote? Oh, right, because he’s in a state that loathes his politics so much, they’ve restored his voting rights; unlike many of those who have served their time in many/most God-fearing conservative states.
Oh, yes, how Mr. Allen has suffered and been ostracized by the mainstream in a way that is EXACTLY like being murdered by a facist regime solely for your religious heritage (roll eyes). Or, you know, being treated in America today, like any person of color who has been convicted of similar crimes, many who were sentenced at or around the same time yet may STILL behind bars, because life has just always been so horrible and unfair and unlucky for Mr. Allen.
Lo, how Tim Allen’s suffering does inspire and illuminate all of the ways in which an ultra-rich, constantly employed white men’s pain lines up perfectly to the experience of dissenters and other undesirables in Nazi Germany.
I can’t with this level of self-delusion, ignorance and gross historical malappropriation. I just can’t.
*CLAPPING*
+million what a horrible disgusting person
So Tim Allen and Pamela Anderson, of the Julian Assange is a victim so I’ll deliver the sexiest vegan meals w/dessert on the side, worked together. No surprises here. And “S Says”, excellent work on that post.
Yas! I may need to print out this righteous rant. Tim Allen can kiss the fattest part of my ass.
You know the other thing I would add-because I’m still pissed about this-is how many people (who don’t work for themselves) are able to talk about their political views at work??? I don’t know about you guys-I’ve been a SAHM for a long time-but back in the day I NEVER would have discussed this at work-you never know how your boss or other people felt. So unless things have dramatically changed-you still have to keep it to yourself most of the time.
Oh bless his heart.
If you do not like the current administration then get off your computer and do something constructive. That does not mean violent protests. I am tired of the way people are complaining. It only divides the nation even more.
it’s not the “complaining” that divides the nation.
it’s the fact that if you’re not white, Christian, and/or male, this administration has no time for you. but thanks for your astute political observations.
This!
It’s not a libtard whine, it’s not sour grapes, it’s fear and loathing at what is being forced on us all, by these old white racist,bigoted billionaires. It is beyond dreadful as to what is being proposed, enforced and enacted against good Americans. Add in the demented tweets and the plain stupidity of the man supposed to guide and lead the nation and that’s why we ‘complain’ and we should continue to do so, never let up, the more we harass and ridicule this loose cannon, the more likely he’ll implode! The more intense scrutiny he and they are under the more likely the dominos will fall.
As to Tim Allen and his kind? Strange how they feel their bigoted opinion is fine in Hollywood but that anyone with a compassion for others should shut up?
You can do something constructive AND complain. I’ve given big donations to Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and Meals for Wheels. I’ve called all my reps to make my position known. The Republican in my district is in real trouble-I’ll be canvassing and donating for whoever runs against him. But I am absolutely going to complain also!
A word of warning, the ACLU works closely with the NRA (and gets money from them) to attack/suppress any type of gun reform. Personally, I wouldn’t want my money going towards the support of more gun ownership but I agree Planned Parenthood and Meals on Wheels are worthy causes.
“I am tired of the way people are complaining. It only divides the nation even more.”
A vote for (and continued support of) the Trump administration was literally a vote FOR divisions in this country- divisions based on race, on gender, on ethnicity, on religion, on class, and apparently health and age too. If ‘divisiveness’ is what you’re REALLY concerned about , you’d be better off preaching to the “Take Back America/I’m tired of ‘political correctness’/He Says What He Thinks about those groups of people/why should my tax dollars go to help other people/Build a Wall/ Deport them/make them all get jobs/ bring back (conservative) morality/Defund Planned Parenthood” crowds responsible for it.
But if you’re just ‘tired of people complaining’ (code for feeling triggered by Trumps, the Trump administration, its complicit supporters, and the right being criticized), you’re always free to reduce your consumption of it. Maybe staying off sites that do anything other than blow wind up the Trumps’ (and his supporters’) asses or don’t discuss anything related to political celebrities would be more productive than complaining on your computer about liberal women, people of color, and other American citizens talking about it, yes? 🙂
I actually donate, volunteer, write my senators and reps, go to meetings etc.
What I don’t do is sell cocaine and then rat out a dozen people to avoid a long jail sentence and then compare most of Hollywood being liberal to Nazi Germany.
So I think I’m good, actually. Oh and I’ve never been in a violent protest.
This is really not new though. His rhetoric, yes. Sure. As a German, I JUST CAN’T WITH THIS BULLSH*T! But it’s not a secret that he and Patricia Richardson for example, while getting along on set, had very opposite political views. And yeah, he was a drug dealer. I guess I have spent too much time on youtube watching E! True Hollywood Story. LOL
I don’t understand the argument that you can’t be an “out” conservative in Hollywood. What? Since when? You can, of course you can. But supporting the orange d*ckhead is a whole other kettle of fish.
He said it in jest, c’mon! Tim Allen is not the enemy, as Bill Maher would say.
unfortunately, just like rape, the holocaust is not something you should really joke about.
the only people who are experiencing ANYTHING like Nazi Germany in the 30s are today’s Jews/Muslims/black and Hispanic people. THEY are the ones facing actual violence and discrimination, not rich white conservatives.
He didn’t joke about the Holocaust, though.
I guess I just don’t understand why – with all the things going on in the world and all these horrible people in positions of power – I should muster up the energy to get upset at Tim Allen. Particularly about a throw-away comment like this. Not worth it. Bigger fish to fry.
perhaps not, but what he is “joking” about is people being rounded up and detained for their beliefs. he is trying to equate being shamed for bigotry with being a victim of bigotry. still not OK.
you don’t have to muster up the energy, but please don’t act like no one should get upset about what he said. what he and his conservative ilk are facing in hollywood is NOTHING compared to what Jews, gays, gypsies, etc…faced in 1930s Germany.
and it IS worth it. it does matter. every little comment like this legitimizes someone like him complaining about not being allowed to be a bigot anymore. it normalizes it. it implies that it’s as bad as or worse to accuse someone of bigotry than it is to actually BE a bigot.
you SHOULD be shamed for being a bigot or supporting a bigot. Allen is apparently supporting “these horrible people in positions of power”. And saying that being persecuted for that is equal to a Jew being persecuted by the Nazis is NOT OK. it matters. it ALL matters.
Yep, I agree. Am I big fan of his? not particularly but wasn’t offended by his joke. I’ve heard worse.
One of my conservative friends posted this today on FB as an example of the poor, put upon conservative in Hollywood. So he may have said it in jest, but it’s being used by conservatives as a real thing.
has always sucked. always will.
Poor whining triggered little conservative snowflakes.
Speaking of “Tool Time”…
Agree about any comparison to Nazis or rape. Anyone hear about Samantha Bees nazi comparison last week? Worse than this. It’s amazing in this day and age that these people can still be so stupid about the words that come out of their mouths.
yeah, that was gross too.
difference is that the guy who made the joke didn’t know the person had cancer, the show apologized immediately and donated to the guy’s fund for treatment. AND they’ve removed the segment from the online archives of the show and from YouTube.
has Allen made an apology yet?
What I find interesting about Tim and his crazy beliefs is that his current wife is a big supporter of a lot of feminist groups in LA. Both she and Tim were at a gala celebrating Ms. Magazine a few years ago.
What I find weird is, how can you pretend your group is being persecuted if your group is the same one that holds power in all three levels of government?
So basically, the only way he could feel like he was in Nazi Germany would be if the Jewish people had control of all the government at the time. It makes no sense.
Maybe he’s self identifying with Nazi’s? I mean, Nazi’s had the power, he identifies with the group in power….
This guy is untalented as an actor, not particularly attractive, has a terrible past, and Hollywood has STILL given him opportunity after opportunity. He’s been the lead of sitcoms for decades, and has gotten many movie roles, all with huge paychecks. But because the more outspoken liberals of the industry aren’t cool with him supporting bigoted, sexist, and overall terrible politicians, he feels that equates to Nazi Germany and he is a suffering victim?!?!?!
Dear God. Do these people even know what they are talking about when they compare their situation to Nazi Germany. Makes me think they really do not know that a nazi or a totalotarian regime is. Say you are conservative, say even that you voted or support Trump. But to draw these parralels is just rediculous
“you have to be careful what you say!” *proceeds to make a Nazi Germany comparison* cheese and rice…
Yes, he’s so oppressed. Hollywood never gives conservatives like him a chance. He’s only had two tv shows – tool time and last man standing. And on last man standing, where he gets 1,25 mil per episode, he was always wailing against Hillary. Oh and don’t forget his movies – Toy Story and the Santa Claus series. Gmab. Man this guy has ruined buzz lightyear for me.
I think he means the conservative voice isn’t heard in Hollywood, you know, like how every awards show has turned into an anti trump rally? I mean, the dude has been President for a few months, any problems they are having, they should take up with Obama. You are making millions, give the guy a chance. I think theyre just pissed they wont be invited to the fancy events and dinners anymore, since trump has zero interest in Hollywood.
Trump has no interest in Hollywood? HAHAHA good one. Sure. If you want to defend Trump then go for it, but don’t delude yourself. The guy cares hard.
Why should people bring up their issues to Obama? The economy’s doing really well. That’s Obama’s budget still going, as much as Trump tries to claim credit on Twitter. The things that are causing drama are from Trump’s executive orders.
Right wing yellow toothed pig.
I wish people would stop comparing everything to Nazi Germany. Shows a lot of ignorance (because you can’t come up with a better example) and insensitive, not to mention it’s almost always grossly inaccurate.
That being said, he does have a point. In Hollywood (as in many artistic industries), if you’re not on the liberal wagon and spoke openly about your conservative views things get very, very hard for you, especially in these times.