In a twist as predictable as a Hollywood sequel, conservative media and alt-right commentators have made it their mission to ridicule the entertainment industry’s awards circuit. It is an annual ritual of Oscars at the Emmys and Grammys: Commentators use YouTube, podcasts and opinion pieces to denounce Hollywood as a “cesspool of liberalism” and a “bubble of elite self-righteousness.” But here’s the irony: Many of these same voices, who openly mock the industry, are quick to seek its validation when they enter its arena.

Case in point: a conservative media company The daily feed recently submitted the satirical documentary “Am I racist? ” featuring Matt Walshanti-transgender commentator, for Oscar consideration (Oh my God! Can you imagine “Emilia Perez” star Karla Sofía Gascón being forced to share the same tune as him?). While some observers see this as a “troll” approach, Walsh insists on the opposite. On X (formerly Twitter), he said: “Yes, we have submitted our film for consideration at the Oscars. No, he’s not a troll at all. We have the highest grossing documentary of the decade. Of course, this should be taken into account for awards.

Although the film, directed by Justin Folk, was indeed financially successful, documentaries like Chuan Lu’s “Beijing 2022” and Brett Morgen’s David Bowie documentary “Moonage Daydream” have surpassed it globally, bringing in $22 and $13 million, respectively. And it’s worth keeping in mind that box office success doesn’t automatically translate into award recognition – if it did, Marvel Studios would have countless Best Picture statues by now. The real story here is the apparent contradiction: conservative voices denouncing “woke Hollywood” while actively seeking its approval.

So what is it? Are the Oscars really lacking in relevance or do they need to validate right-wing work to prove its legitimacy?

While browsing what can only be described as the dark web, I came across a video of Walsh’s reaction at the Oscars when Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” won Best Picture in 2020, the first film not English-speaking to win this honor. The day after the Oscars, Walsh released a video titled “The Incredible Heroism of Hollywood.” Although he said he only spent “90 seconds” watching the ceremony, he spent 30 minutes criticizing a moment in which Sigourney Weaver said, “All women are superheroes.” This sentence struck a chord. Walsh dismissed it as “completely vacuous and meaningless” and continued to probe his viewers with pointed questions, such as “Is Aileen Wuornos a superhero?”

These criticisms are not just about Walsh. Dinesh D’Souza, another prominent conservative commentator, reacted similarly when his documentaries “2016: Obama’s America” ​​and “Death of a Nation” failed to receive Oscar nominations. D’Souza called the snub further evidence of Hollywood’s “liberal bias.” Recognition of a reward is only considered “a sham” when it does not serve their worldview.

But today, The Daily Wire, co-founded by Ben Shapiro, is also making strides in film production, despite years of castigating Hollywood as a liberal echo chamber. But we will see them submit their films to various industry competitions, seemingly oblivious to the hypocrisy of seeking approval from an industry they claim to despise. I can’t wait for them to throw a tantrum after losing the Palme d’Or at Cannes!

Their underlying message seems to be: “These awards don’t mean anything – unless I can win one.” »

When conservative commentators clamor for recognition from the same industry they have called irrelevant, their insincerity earns them a Guinness World Record number of eye rolls. If these rewards have no value, why rush to be confirmed? Perhaps all these complaints suggest a desire to belong to a club they criticize – but only on their terms. The annual cycle of disdain and desire is as artificial as the Hollywood stories they mock.

And as awards season progresses, if (or when?) “Am I racist?” does not receive the recognition that its backers believe it deserves – or does not appear on Variety Inevitable list of “snubs and surprises” – the outcry will likely follow the same script.

At a time when conservatives are defending former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, they may remember his famous line: “When you’re a star, they let you do it.” You can do anything.

Sorry, baby. You’re not a star.