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The Best-Kept Secret in Hollywood
Tony Dejak / AP Photo
The suicide of Kal Penn’s character on House was a shocker, but it was nothing compared to the revelation that the Harold and Kumar star was joining the Obama administration. Maybe he should run the CIA.
Look out, Bobby Jindal. There’s a new contender for Biggest Asian-American Star in the political firmament. And this one’s pretty good on camera.
In case you somehow missed it, Kal Penn’s character did himself in Monday night on House. Then, in one of the best-kept secrets in Hollywood history, the 31-year-old Penn announced that he’s going to work for the Obama administration as a liaison to the arts world and the Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
When Obama first met him at a fundraiser, the future president said, “What show are you on?” When Penn told him it was House, Obama said, “That’s right. The doctor show.”
Based on that level of success in keeping a secret, Penn should be running the CIA.
It seems the writers’ strike may be to thank or blame for Penn’s job switch. After the writers walked out in November 2007, Penn was freed up to work for Obama. At one point, he moved to Iowa for several weeks.
In a conference call with reporters, Penn addressed both careers. He said that for now, he’s not planning to reprise the role of Kumar in the Harold and Kumar films, even though another installment was in the works. “I don’t want to squash anyone’s hopes or dream on that,” Penn said, “but... I’m certainly not going to be acting while I’m serving the White House. At this point, it’s not on my radar.”
I called Mandate Pictures, the maker of the Harold and Kumar films, to see how the company will manage. In fact, I broke the news about Penn’s new gig to an executive there. A bit later, the Mandate executive sent this email: “I am replying on behalf of all parties that we have no comment.” What, not even, “We wish Kal well” out of patriotic duty?
Harold and Kumar was a nifty little piece of stoner-comedy business. The original, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, cost less than $10 million and pulled in $18 million at the box office. Then it became a cult hit and spawned Harold and Kumar go to Guantanamo Bay. That cost about $17 million and grossed $43 million. And according to Adams Media Research, the two films poured an additional $50 million or so into studio coffers from DVD sales. With those nice margins, the third installment was announced last July, supposedly with the principals on board.
In the conference call today, the Obama administration’s new member added the following facts:
- “I don’t smoke weed in real life.” (But he says “weed.”)
- He was a vegetarian when he made the first Harold and Kumar movie and he didn’t go to White Castle, either.
- He’s not a Democrat. (He’s an independent.)
- Those were his legs in the House suicide scene.
- When Obama first met him at a fundraiser, the future president said, “What show are you on?” When Penn told him it was House, Obama said, “That’s right. The doctor show.” However, according to Penn, the president has never brought up Harold and Kumar.
- Asked whether he plans to run for office, Penn said, "No."
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Kim Masters covers the entertainment business for The Daily Beast. She is also the host of The Business, public radio's weekly program about the business of show business. She is also the author of The Keys to the Kingdom: The Rise of Michael Eisner and the Fall of Everybody Else.
It is easy to keep secrets that no one cares about.
It is fitting that an Obama administration joiner would 'opt out' of a TV drama by suicide. Obama IS the president of death. Obama is exporting abortion aid to other countries. He is using OUR money to fund embryonic experimentation. He wants to force health workers and doctors to perform abortions.
Gee, the brilliant doctor just up and shot himself in the head.
Got a problem? Blow your head off!
Thanks, Hollywood!
Got a problem? Blow away some cops. Blow away your family.
Thanks Hollywood!
I am glad good old Kal Penn is going to work for the Obama administration. People are moved into service by our new president. We will never go back. Obama can fail in every other aspect, but he got minorities and young people involved in politics, instead of just a select few upper-class idiots. And of course, Obama won't fail. That's a romantic dream the Republicans are hoping for, but really it's all over. It's going to be a string of Democratic presidents.
Prickypear is one of those losers who just can't believe the rest of the country likes smart people. The ultimate in "Big Government" is trying to tell a woman what to do with her own cervix. Your side loses. Your ideas lose. We just not that into you.
SPOILER ALERT, perhaps?
I watch House online on Hulu, which now only posts episodes of house a full 8 days later, and I haven't been able to watch it yet. So, please, unless it's at least two episodes (weeks) later, don't start off with major spoilers like 'The suicide of Kal Penn's character on House was a shocker'!
Sorry that I am unable to comment on the rest of this story, but I really don't want to hear anything else I don't already know. Please give a heads up!
I saw him at the Western Inaugural Ball - awesome! I'm very impressed with his seriousness.
xbainx, have you ever worn a uniform?
prick lee pear: get a sense of humor, it's a TV show. And while you're at it, write your ex-pres. a letter asking how many already-born Iraqi babies his little pissing contest murdered.
Why Hollywood has to show suicide where they could have made the character to go work in White House - like in real life.
Even Doctors commit suicide?
pricklypear ... yawn. Your extremist distortions here have gotten boring. Aren't there enough right wing nut job sites out there to keep you busy?
I agree with xbainx; it's nice to see that the Obama administration is including Independent, minority youths. As a youth myself, I know that Kal Penn's dedication to public service provides a positive influence on American pop culture. Let's hope more individuals in the public eye follow Penn's lead as a role model for civic duty and political involvement.
Is Pricklypear ok?
The "president of death" lol.
Why is it that there are some anti-choice abdicates that seem to not mind the killing of children (obviously not an issue the last decade plus in say - Iraq) once they are out the wound?
You could tell by the fact - no matter what subject - it all comes down to abortion. No anger at the last two presidents who helped push us in this direction, nope just abortion.
Reminds me of that lady - with all the problems going on - during the election who wouldn't vote for Obama because he didn't wear a flag pin. Or the people that don't get outraged for anything, finally had enough when it came to Michael Vick.
I find faux-outrage and hypocrisy appalling...though there sure is a lot of it.
And right on schedule, here comes pricklypear to prove the One True Known about Republicans: They can't stand losing. They just can't take it, and resort to extremism and desperation. It's pathetic, but at least their true freak flag colors are flying high for the rest of us to take notice.
KemCho, the House cast and crew have long been involved with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). I believe that played a part of why Kutner's leaving was written this way. People do commit suicide...even people who seem to have everything going for them. In fact, Hugh Laurie has openly discussed his life-long battle with depression.
In terms of Penn and his new role in the White House. Good for him. I'm glad to see the emphasis on service to continue on after the election.
HAHA prickly sounds like my evangelical friend.
I ask him all the time if he still think's Obama's the antichrist.
sigh.
society is as fast as it's slowest members.
MicCalifornia: I love your comment and so true!
I see another right winger up here takes TV too seriously. He probably thinks 24 is a good way to set our foreign policy and ethics...
I remember when people thought Reagan was the antichrist and even pointed out that there were 6 letters in each of his first, middle and last names thus a secret clue that he has the 666 sign of the beast. Now the old Reagan devotees think Obama is the antichrist. I guess the bottom line is when you don't agree with your leader he must be the antichrist.
i love Kal Penn!!!!!!
I'm another victim of the lack of consideration to warn us readers of the big House SPOILER. Would've appreciated not assuming that every one of your readers watches every show live.
This is the most silly role for Penn! At least he can speak without teleprompters!!
You're so right MicCalifornia!!
MicCalifornia
It is easy to keep secrets that no one cares about.
Sounds like jumptheshark.com needs a new category...
Thank you.
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