Spade & Carvey Slam Hollywood's Identity Focus

David Spade and Dana Carvey, through their 'Fly on the Wall' podcast, have openly criticized Hollywood's deep-seated focus on identity markers such as race and gender. Spade expressed a desire for the industry to move away from distinguishing individuals by these categories, suggesting a more unified approach where everyone is simply considered an actor.

He elaborated that such distinctions, like highlighting the "first Black director" or "first in 30 years" for a minority actor, can be diminishing. Spade believes that referring to individuals simply as actors fosters a sense of equality. Carvey chimed in with a sarcastic remark about winning an Emmy, being announced as the "198th straight white male" recipient.

Spade also recalled his time on 'Just Shoot Me,' where he was informed if a female director was working that week. He found this unnecessary, preferring to acknowledge directorial competence without specifying gender, viewing such specific mentions as potentially "diminishing." Carvey agreed, finding the phrase "female director" itself to be "funny."

This criticism comes after earlier remarks by Spade in March, where he suggested the "Hollywood industry is dying," placing blame on Los Angeles leadership. The mayor's office responded by detailing efforts to support the film industry, including slashed filming fees and approved studio space, asserting the industry's importance to the city's economy. In April, comedian Tim Dillon joined the podcast, and Spade clarified his earlier comments, stating he wasn't truly angry at Newsom or Bass but wished for a greater prioritization of the industry's needs.