De Pasquale’s Dozen with Actor Scott Baio

De Pasquale’s Dozen with Actor Scott Baio
By Lisa De Pasquale
6/25/2012

He had one of the best TV character names of all time. No, not that one. The other one – “Bob Loblaw.”

One of the questions I frequently ask in the Dozen is “What cancelled show would you put back on the air?” For me, it would definitely be the television home of Bob Loblaw, Arrested Development. I’m excited that I had the opportunity to interview one of my favorite actors from the show, Scott Baio.

Baio is best known for his starring roles in popular sitcoms, including Happy Days, Joanie Loves Chachi and Charles in Charge, as well as two seasons on VH1’s Scott Baio is 45… and Single. After the end of the first season, his then-girlfriend now wife, Renee, announced that she was pregnant, which lead to a name-change for the show – Scott Baio is 46… and Pregnant.

Following the birth of their daughter, Bailey, they started the Bailey Baio Angel Foundation to build awareness for newborn screenings for organic acidemia metabolic disorders. They also raise funds to help support families and children affected by these disorders. (For more information and to donate, visit www.baileybaioangelfoundation.com).

Baio is a conservative Republican who often tweets funny cartoons and observations. A couple of them have raised the ire of the Left. After tweeting an unflattering photo of Michelle Obama, people accused him of being racist and issued death threats against him and his family.

By contrast, this week the tolerant Left showed their respect for the office of the Presidency. The President invited several gay leftists to the White House to recognize their leadership in the gay community. They took it as an opportunity to post photos of themselves flipping off portraits of Presidents Reagan and George W. Bush. These so-called leaders behaved like immature teenagers on Facebook. (My apologies to teenagers for the comparison).

Those in Hollywood frequently like to pat one another on the back and call themselves brave for speaking out against Republican leaders, America or even the military. However, real bravery in Hollywood is being a conservative. Last year Baio was a guest speaker at the Hollywood Congress of Republicans meeting. He told the crowd, “I was never afraid to speak my mind. But I do remember times on a set where I'd hear my liberal friends talking and I didn't speak out. I stepped back and did not comment because there is a stigma [within the industry] that if you talk [as a conservative], you don't work.”

Earlier this year Nickelodeon announced that they’ve ordered 20 episodes of a series produced and starring Baio called Daddy’s Home for Nick-at-Nite. One of the lessons that Andrew Breitbart taught me was the importance of supporting our people and the importance of pop culture. Often conservatives respond to the culture wars by starting their own movies, magazines or networks. While there have been good efforts on those fronts, we should also be working to support conservatives already inside the industry. I’ll be watching “Daddy’s Home.” I hope you will, too!

Each week the De Pasquale's Dozen asks political figures and free market-minded writers and entertainers to take a break from politics and talk about their pop culture obsessions.

1. If there were a television channel that only showed one movie over and over, what movie should it be?

The Godfather

2. What’s one of your favorite movie quotes?

"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." – The Godfather

3. In A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell is strapped in with his eyes propped open and forced to watch images until he was "cured." If you could give President Obama, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Leader Harry Reid the "Clockwork Orange treatment," what movie would you make them watch?

Recount

4. What was the first rock concert you ever attended and where did you sit and who went with you?

Chuck Berry at The Fortway theater with my brother.

5. What's the best gift you got as a child?

A pool table

6. What important advice do you remember your mother or father giving you? Did you take it?

"Don't let anyone take advantage of you". I try to use it everyday.

7. If Democrats and Republicans had theme songs for 2012 what would they be?

Republicans: “Proud to be an American”

Democrats: “Money for Nothin’”

8. Who would be on the perfect Red Eye panel?

Me, cloned twice.

9. What canceled TV show would you put back on the air?

Dirty, Sexy, Money

10. Many have said that Washington D.C. is like Hollywood for ugly people. How do you think D.C. is like Hollywood? How is it different?

D.C. has better actors.

11. What one thing would you do as President "just because you could"?

Institute a Flat tax

12. Tell me about the moment you decided to become more vocal about your political beliefs.

When half of the money I earned was going to the government. For what? I have no idea.
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To read another article by Lisa De Pasquale, click here.