Tom’s Take on Decision ’08

Staff / Truthdig May 4, 2008 Tom Hanks has a preferred candidate, but what makes his endorsement interesting is not the person he chooses, but how he frames that choice. This video, which appeared on the actor's MySpace page, seems as much a comment on the celebrity endorsement as it is an endorsement by a celebrity. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Italians Outraged, Yet Curious

Staff / Truthdig May 1, 2008 Imagine going to the Internet and being able to see how much everyone in the United States, including you, earned and paid in taxes. The outgoing Italian government just made everyone's private business public. Needless to say, Italians were outraged as they rushed to the Web to see the income of their neighbors and the rich and famous. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Moore Throws Hat Into Obama’s Ring

Staff / Truthdig Apr 22, 2008 For presidential candidates, celebrity endorsements can be a mixed bag -- especially when the star in question is a polarizing figure, as is the latest famous figure to give the nod to Barack Obama: audacious auteur Michael Moore. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

‘Back in Black’: Some Votes Are More Glamorous

Staff / Truthdig Apr 9, 2008 "The Daily Show's" Lewis Black probes the soft underbelly of the celebrity endorsement, from the guy who played Kumar to the "political juggernaut that is Dick Van Patten." And if you think Oprah is excited about Barack Obama, just wait until you see how she reacts to the cast of "Desperate Housewives." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Hillary Tries Comedy

Staff / Truthdig Mar 3, 2008 Hillary Clinton made a surprise appearance on "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend, where she shared a laugh with her own impersonator. It's part of a trend that is well captured by a recent Politico article, which notes that politicians are increasingly cultivating their celebrity status. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ellen Rallies for Clinton

Staff / Truthdig Feb 27, 2008 Barack Obama's campaign may count she-mogul Oprah Winfrey in its stable of celebrity boosters, but Hillary Clinton's got her own talk show powerhouse: Ellen DeGeneres, who made a live appearance during this recent rally to put Hillary on the spot with some tough questions, like what to do about the sparkly danger that glitter poses to Americans everywhere. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

No You Can’t

Staff / Truthdig Feb 19, 2008 Most popular YouTube videos inspire the inevitable parodies, and while many amuse in their own way, this one scores with the title alone. This is what Barack Obama's "Yes We Can" fan film would look like if it were made by the rich and powerful -- that is to say, the non-celebrity kind. The kind with pocket squares and tiny dogs. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Obama, Clinton on ’60 Minutes’

Staff / Truthdig Feb 12, 2008 Americans have had to contend with dozens of speeches, debates and commercials comparing and contrasting the Democratic candidates, and still they can't get enough. After all, this election is a ratings winner, but that's to be expected when a rock star, a political celebrity and Grandpa Simpson all run for president. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Stars Sing for Obama

Staff / Truthdig Feb 4, 2008 Pop star and producer will.i.am and director Jesse Dylan (son of Bob) put together this independent, star-filled tribute to Barack Obama's New Hampshire concession speech. Whether it's inspirational or just cheesy is up to you, but we've got nothing bad to say about Herbie Hancock on the piano. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sensational Strategy

Mike Luckovich / Truthdig Dec 29, 2007 Dig deeper

Celebs Need Health Care — Just Like Us!

Staff / Truthdig Dec 13, 2007 Who knew that Reese Witherspoon window-shops for shoes? Or that Ben Affleck glues elaborate doll houses together? Or that Jeremy Piven eats what appears to be gruel on a lush outdoor patio? These intimate celebrity vignettes were captured for the AARP's ad campaign for its "Divided We Fail" intiative calling for "red, blue liberal, conservative" (and, apparently, "rich, famous") Americans to unite for the causes of health care and long-term financial security. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Oprah Helps Obama to Stadium Status

Staff / Truthdig Dec 6, 2007 If you think the "Oprah effect" is all hype, you may be interested to learn that the Barack Obama campaign has had to move the location of an upcoming rally featuring the TV talk show host to accommodate the "overwhelming demand." The new venue is the University of South Carolina's 80,250-seat Williams-Brice Stadium, pictured here. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )