AMAC Exclusive – By Tammy Bruce
The most unlikeliest of places continues to signal a possible inflection point in the left’s ugly woke culture war against our nation. Netflix, the streaming service, had gained a reputation for being the King of Woke. Like many other American companies, they seemed more concerned with genuflecting to leftist activists and placating them by focusing on Democrat-approved political programming.
First it was Disney, which in March embarked on a disastrous adventure by taking a very public stand in woke politics as they pledged action to defeat a Florida bill meant to empower parents. Their stock crashed and Americans of all stripes made clear their significant disgust with house that Mickey built.
Then in April, Netflix announced a loss of 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter of 2022 and their stock crashed 37 percent on one day. Talk about a wakeup call! Upon news of the subscriber and stock plunge Elon Musk tweeted what everyone was thinking: “The woke mind virus is making Netflix unwatchable.”
The reasons for the Disney and Netflix disasters are varied, but both companies have publicly displayed a disturbing shift into the woke politics. When an economy gets tight and people have to make choices about where they spend money the first to be cut will be companies who have taken for granted and insulted American consumers for far too long.
On top of that, Netflix’s trouble may just be starting. CBS reports “Netflix acknowledged its problems are deep-rooted by projecting a loss of another 2 million subscribers during the April-June period.” That deep-rootedness is, in part, the woke activists they’ve hired and going on a woke programming binge.
But all of that seems to be changing.
It appears leadership at the streaming service have suddenly realized what the left has been feeding them isn’t health food—it’s cyanide. Netflix has acted to save itself and that means quickly and definitively ending it’s love affair with wokeism by laying-off at least 150 employees they had previously hired to work on woke programming and issued a memo to its staff rebuking censorship.
The Daily Mail reported, “Netflix announced a new crackdown on woke staff who try to interfere in shows they deem ‘harmful’ or which leave viewers feeling ‘unsafe.’ In a memo to employees following the mass layoffs, Netflix heads told their staff: ‘As employees we support the principle that Netflix offers a diversity of stories, even if we find some titles counter to our own personal values. Depending on your role, you may need to work on titles you perceive to be harmful. ‘If you’d find it hard to support our content breadth, Netflix may not be the best place for you.’”
It wasn’t just leftist personnel who were shown the door. A whole lineup of woke programming met its end as well.
“Netflix has also scrapped a host of woke shows – the most famous of which is Meghan Markle’s doomed animation Pearl, about a socially-conscious girl said to have been based on Meghan herself. Other scrapped projects included “Antiracist Baby” and “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You,” two adaptions by Critical Race Theory expert Dr. Ibram X. Kendi …” reported the Mail.
All gone because it finally became apparent that NO ONE wants what the left is selling. NO ONE is buying this denigration of America. And EVERYONE rejects this disgusting effort to train Americans, especially children, to think as racists and with racist stereotypes.
How will we know if this is a genuine transformation of Netflix into a company has had enough of leftist activism and destruction? Enter comedian and actor Ricky Gervais. Known for creating and writing the original “The Office” television series in England, he also speaks bluntly about the culture wars and most famously he hosted a Golden Globes awards program where he skewered the gathered Hollywood elite for their hypocrisy, politics, and behavior.
Gervais also has new comedy special for Netflix called “SuperNature.” Woke activists whine Gervais is bigoted, and of course transphobic in the comedy routine. But he’s not. What he really does is go after extremist activist politics. In a profile of Gervais at The Spectator they write: “If he could get away with joking about the Holocaust – surely the epitome of punching down – why did his jokes about transgender people spark such outrage? Gervais’s explanation, which he offered to The Spectator last night, perhaps reveals the answer: ‘My target wasn’t trans folk, but trans activist ideology. I’ve always confronted dogma that oppresses people and limits freedom of expression.’”
It is so absurd it is worthy of some comedy. Comedy is very political, and it offends, by its very nature. This is why the left has no sense of humor, because their malignant agenda is ripe for exposure and skewering.
In an interview with the New York Times, CEO of Netflix Ted Sarandos commented on the Chappell and Gervais controversies and Netflix’s new approach: “I think it’s very important to the American culture generally to have free expression… We’re programming for a lot of diverse people who have different opinions and different tastes and different styles, and yet we’re not making everything for everybody. We want something for everybody but everything’s not going to be for everybody.”
At least Netflix now seems to understand or accept just how wrong they were, but it’s not a stretch to recognize if their subscriber base and stock hadn’t taken a hit, none of these changes would have happened. Mostly, this is a reminder to make sure your voice is heard when it comes to what stocks are in your portfolio, what you subscribe to, and what efforts you support.
I find it is not just Netflix but all televised media streaming or otherwise. It seems like the American public is being force fed Gay Trans messaging in just about every show and advertising on tv these days. In the form of Bi Racial Couples, Gay Couples, Trans Couples it is so prolific that even those that are not inclined (same race, heterosexual couples) are starting to question themselves and their relationships. I can see why kids today are being drawn into non-conventional relationships. Don’t get me wrong. I understand there is a message to send, but does it have to be included in every single show/movie that is out there? Everyone has the freedom to do and live as they see fit but it doesn’t need to be broadcast on all forms of TV/Movies.
I left netflix when the obama’s showed up!
I, personally, am boycotting ANY Woke Companies! . . . America First is BECAUSE OF We the People!
We quit Netflix when they added the program of 10 y/o girls bumping humping and grinding. Never going back.
Wokeism must go!!! ‘We the People’ do not need these leftist power seekers telling us what we can and cannot do. This is the USA and we like our ‘privileges’ just as they are. Leave our Constitution alone! We love our freedom of speech and our right to bear arms. God Bless the USA
Ahhhh ha ha ha, poor Lil Wokies, YOU LOSE!!!!! You know it isn’t going to end well for your bullying when Netflix CANCELS your “Woke Queen” Megan Markle. The aadults are taking America BACK!!!!! “Get WOKE, Go BROKE”!!!!!
Well reported and fair analysis. Finally truth about NETFLIX – people are tired of being told AMERICA is a mess and we are fed up with the woke ideology that is destroying our nation. Thank you for sharing truth !
They went “woke” and showed where their true colors and values really are. The public should not go back to these money grabbing companies and should continue to flee from them to healthy alternatives forms of entertainment no matter how much they change their content and course correct in order to chase the dollar. I think they have proven who they really are and the public should let them slowly wilt on the vine.
Reminds me of an old adage that applies to today’s Democrat; “I bit you because I am a snake, and you knew I was a snake when you handled me “.
I had been a Netflix subscriber for many years, beginning way back since their inception. But my last day was when I heard about “Cuties” which had a scene of a minor girl exposing a nipple. That same day, I canceled my subscription and never looked back. Netflix can go to hell for all I care.
Way to go Netflix, a move in the “RIGHT” direction.
I have to be honest – I never dropped Netflix when we discovered just how awful a lot of their programming was; I just didn’t ever watch any of that garbage.
But now, with this change, I’ll get my head out of old tv series and watch Chappell and Gervais and anything else that skewers the left and their insane ideas.
i AM PRETTY SURE THAT MBA PROGRAMS STRESS THAT FOCUSING UPON 2% OF THE MARKET IS A POOR IDEA. As well as not keeping politics out of business.
If it is true that Netflix is woke I will be canceling my services as well. Disney plus membership has already been canceled
I am not Trumper, I just don’t like child abusers, like wokeflix, I mean Netflix.
We can’t even watch European historical shows anymore without half the cast being afro Americans. WTF!!!
Why don’t they just change the name to GAYFLIX or WOKEFLIX? I swear every show your company makes for the last few years always have woke bull in it. I’m not homophobic but i could give two craps less about people having sex or what their sexual nature is.
I started watching sandman and by episode 5, the entire diner was telling the “truth” by all becoming gay and having sex, except the gays who are already gay.
Then you got the black males and white women in everything as well.
No wonder your company is losing subscribers like a sieve. AND when you introduce ads I’ll will have had enough.
You want gay stuff in your garbage make a category for it and a tag in the tile HOMOSEXUAL CONTENT so I can avoid it from the start.
Tammy Bruce is phenomenal!
Almost all large companies have gone woke – Hospitals/medical facilities, phone companies – they make employees watch little video clips on how to treat people – they are business controlled by the federal government so they can get grant money or government contracts. I do not believe our government should be handing out my tax $$ to ANY Company
Iti s time that big companies keep their mouths shut and do business as usual. This WOKE Crap is totally out of control. I am tired of seeing Gay People on Almost EVERY show on TV. I have many Gay & Lesbian friends, workers and family members. I have nobad feelings about any group of people. Lets get back to having fun and not shoving alternate life styles down our throats.
Sorry but my boss is not a person of colour, the police station up the road hasn’t got a gay dci, no farmers in a local radius of 30 miles are gay or persons of colour, my best friend is gay and I’m bisexual
An I’m sick of seeing TV or films where everyone is gay or poc. Or both in situations of work and all of it! It’s ridiculous, and who is it pleasing? Not me cos it’s all “unreal”
They are only following the money. They will leg hump whatever works and gets views. They need to be flushed like CNN and Disney and all the rest. Too little, too late! Wokeness is an illness just like liberalism. Eradicate both! ????????
Finally! Someone has made note of the fact that the Left has no sense of humor. Only lately has comedy started to make a comeback. Start laughing again, folks! It’s safe!.
At least they “woke” up to reality.
Funny how when they start looking customers they change their town, yet the damage is all ready done. I will never hook up with Netflix just like taking the kids to Disney no on that as well we have plenty of other theme parks to choose from , America is finally waking up to the far left junk and we are fighting back Enough is enough.
The important take away here is in the last paragraph. If you are investing know who, and the background of the owners and upper management in the companies and corporations you invest in. The managers owners and major investors of Netflex and Disney are still there. They still believe they were right and they will do it again, given the chance.Maybe we should all move away from these corporations until the complete upper management and second level management has been fired. There are plenty of streaming options and other emusement parks and studios to learn about, enjoy and invest in. So, do some home work and make your investing choices work for you and America!
Good. Took the dummies long enough.
Netflix should remove the Obama’s from their Board. That would be an awesome change and commitment that Woke is dead at Netflix.
Does anyone really care?
It’s time for America and all true Americans to be America again! There’s no place in this country for woke leftist commies and their hateful ideoligy!
LOL 0’BAMA WHO HATES AMERICA, WAS PAID TO NARRATE DOCUMENTARIES COMMEMORATING AMERICA! THAT MAKES THIS @$$CLOWN A DOUBLE LYING HYPOCRITE!
Netflix still sucks. They don’t have any Real Good Movies. It’s ALL woke garbage still.
Tammy, please let an editor take a peek at your article before you publish next time. Your points are good, but the first sentence is a grammatical disaster. Sorry, but we don’t want to give the Left anything to rib us about.
I cancelled Netflix when it was announced that one of Obama’s staff was on Netflix board, and that they were planning a documentary that would cover up some of the undesirable things Obama had done in office. Also, am I the only one to notice the big increase in the number and frequency of TV commercials during a TV show? Apparently, there is no longer limits by the FCC!
The last two lines are most important: “but it’s not a stretch to recognize if their subscriber base and stock hadn’t taken a hit, none of these changes would have happened. Mostly, this is a reminder to make sure your voice is heard when it comes to what stocks are in your portfolio, what you subscribe to, and what efforts you support.”
Our power is in numbers. If we hit them in their wallets, they will listen to us. WE CAN STOP THIS without firing a shot, but ONLY if we MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD, in numbers they cant ignore!!
My wife signed us up for AMAC membership. We both enjoy your magazine articles and your AMAC newsletter
I wonder how many WOKE BoD members were shown the door without a cushy golden parachute? This was probably junior staff and underlings who found themselves out of a job, all while the festering, pus-filled WOKE BoD members could conveniently point their fingers at scapegoats.
Don’t get me wrong: this is encouraging BUT like a bad case of hemorrhoids, WOKE ideology will rear its ugly head again somewhere else, until we finally get some true business professionals on corporations boards, who are practical and believe in the basic principle of business: VALUE.
I still don’t plan on going back to NETFLIX. They need to become more central focused before I’ll consider it. Maybe a patriotic and pro-God focus.
Thankfully I live in Idaho, a very Red State, in a middle smallish town in an upper middle neighborhood. Although there is a university near, the town itself has not really gotten so caught up in the woke cow pie. When I bought my new home about 8 years ago in a new neighborhood, the neighbors were basically a pleasant eclectic mix. Unfortunately, very unfortunately, the neighborhood has grown a little and a lot of “soccer mom” families have moved in (truthfully pretty much all coming from out-of-state to live in “rugged and real” Idaho and bringing their backwards beliefs with them). Living around this ideology is painful. Thankfully, we have two neighbors with whom my daughter and son-in-law have been able to develop friendships, speak freely without having to worry about saying “he, it, they, etc” and just speak like the real American folk that we are.
I myself am from California but have been out of that hell hole for a few decades. I lived not too far from Disneyland (when Walt Disney was alive the the Park was real). The last time that I went to Disneyland was probably a year or two after Disney World opened in Florida.
Regarding Netflix, we have the streaming platform and when I suggested boycott due to their over-woke behavior my daughter insisted on keeping it (for the family/children).
Nonetheless, I am very pleased that Netflix and Disney both received a Very firm financial slap in the face (I guess more like they ran into a block wall) for their wildly inappropriate UNwoken stance.
I shall applaud when they go the way of Blockbuster.
I wonder if they have any idea that one day the “woke” people will tire of watching woke crap because it will very boring?
In America–money talks EVERYTHING else walks. The ONLY the leftist understand is the LOSS OF MONIES- that, ALSO is the only thing they CARE about- NOT losing monies!!
America IS NOT RACIST. If it was it would NEVER have allowed anyone in. Idiots!
it would be wonderful if AMAC would compile a list of email addresses of the “woke” email purveyors. it would facilitate adding those address to the ISP “blocked email” feature. most times the purveyors make “woke” emailers emails one-way emails that never work when added to “blocked email” lists feature offered by the ISP subscriber making “blocking” an exercise in futility.
It’s always about the money. The only reason Netflix changed their policy is because their stock tanked. It’s never about anything else except the bottom line. Michael Douglas in Wall Street “GREED IS GOOD”. The good thing is they laid off a bunch of wokesters so now they can go work at Facebook or some other woke company. Certainly not Twitter! ha ha LOL
Dear Mr. Sarandos, try some pro-American programming. Programs that show what can happen if folks aren’t always subjected to the “us” and “them” philosophy. Programming that shows what can happen in a nation that really cares about our neighbors and works TOGETHER towards building instead of tearing down. There are show that entertain, shows that educate, and shows that are political. Why must every movie, or documentary have to be political? Why do our schools have to enter the political agenda world? Why do our churches or civil organizations have to be political? I’m a fairly political person but I do not and would not depend on Netflix to tell me what’s happening on the floor of congress.
OK! so by now you know I’m old…I believe sex belongs in the bedroom, not a movie any time of the day. There are places adults can go if they need this type of entertainment. I believe hypodermic needles belong in the hospital or a secure place in a home with special needs. I believe teachers belong in the classroom to teach, not indoctrinate, and I believe our senators and representatives need to protect the American people before foreign concerns and KEEP THE PROMISES THEY MADE THAT GOT THEM ELECTED. Our elected representatives are not teachers or pastors, so stick to running the country, not our lives.
Everyone’s 401K is supporting some awful stuff. Managers of a broad assortment of investments do NOT care about wokism or racism or any other ‘ism. They managed funds based on growth for their clientele. And, we are ALL clientele. So, before anyone starts whining about hitting a corporation or business in the pocketbook, there needs to be an understanding that today’s moral/political controversy is likely attached to the growth of your 401K (or other financial instrument), in some way or another. There are no altruists in fox holes.
Thank you for the article on corporate ‘wokeness.’ It’s pervasive, and sometimes quite undetectable, so it needs to have a spotlight shown upon it brightly and often. I have recently discovered I am a customer of companies I trust and have been with for many years, but they do not have my values. I am searching now for companies who stick to business and do not get involved in politics.
Netflix finally may have realized the truism: GET WOKE, GO BROKE! I think James Carville (!) said it best, “These woke people need to go back to sleep!”
Finally, a breath of fresh air! It’s about time!
Having spent years on public company boards I can tell you that the pressure from social bullies is constant. They only need to buy one share to attend AGMs where their questions try to skewer management about their social outreach programs, hiring equity, environmental issues etc. This is where the woke problems start, deflecting management away from their primary task of building value for shareholders. Next the board gets caught up bringing on woke directors, and the rot has set in. Many of the worst woke ideas are generated in those tainted boardrooms.
Ultimately customers and shareholders are the only people who can get the corporation back on track away from all these costly misdirections.
I’ve heard a lot of complaints about Netflix of late. However, as a Conservative, I have subscribed to ONLY Netflix DVDs for many years. The DVDs Netflix offers WILL appeal to people on left, right, and center.
Rent the currently available Netflix DVD movie, The Hunt. For a start. Then tell me your opinion of Netflix management.