Amazon’s Jennifer Salke: The Most Monumentally Ignorant Person in Charge of a Major Film Studio

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At times, I find myself empathizing with the creators I admire on YouTube, particularly Disparu, who seems to possess an extraordinary tolerance for pain. To give you a sense, he even endured the entire series of Velma, including the special edition.

To put it another way, an English enthusiast (repeating myself slightly) compiled a collection of videos chronicling the decline of Jennifer Salke at Amazon Prime, and it’s simply astounding. This individual certainly appears to be one of the most remarkably uninformed individuals ever given leadership over a significant film studio.

Everything Begins with Me

One significant predicament of our time is that numerous individuals in influential roles seem oblivious to what everyday life on Earth was like prior to their arrival. To them, it might as well be an empty space or a formless blob tainted by prejudice and discrimination. They are utterly unaware that accomplished women existed in various fields before they joined the industry.

It’s quite astonishing, actually, how deliberately oblivious this seems to be. While it’s acceptable to have some confusion about intricate details in military history or the chronology of women’s rights activists, it’s surprising when it comes to an industry they are deeply involved with, like Salke’s own (Hollywood). Given that Hollywood is known for re-making old productions, one might expect a basic understanding of past works. I’m not suggesting they should be film buffs, but considering the connection between profits and wages, you’d think they would grasp that earnings aren’t determined by gender.

In my perspective as an ardent admirer, Hollywood initially functioned as a strict meritocracy, where success was determined by talent and box office performance. However, beneath its glamorous surface, it was deeply flawed, with rampant moral corruption and a heavy reliance on nepotism. Yet, the golden rule here was that money spoke louder than words, while empty promises were quickly dismissed. If you managed to draw large audiences, your career thrived. On the other hand, a single failure could put your career on the brink of extinction. Blake Edwards’ “S.O.B.” offers a bitingly funny (and brutally honest) portrayal of this world. Despite its shortcomings, the relentless pursuit of profit led to the creation of timeless masterpieces of excellence.

History So Ancient, Let’s Just Forget It Ever Happened

For clarity, it’s important to acknowledge that Mary Pickford broke through the “glass ceiling” in Hollywood stardom as early as 1916 when she became the first female millionaire in the industry. This remarkable feat happened an impressive 109 years ago. Furthermore, she established United Artists film studio in 1919 and was one of the founding members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In addition to this, she was the second actress to receive the Oscar for Best Actress and led a life full of achievements.

1979 marked the year of her passing, with Salke being only 13 years old. In 1976, she received a prestigious lifetime achievement award at the Oscars, which could have been an event that Salke had the chance to witness.

It’s highly likely that Salke recalls Elizabeth Taylor, the iconic figure in Hollywood who passed away in 2011. Notably, she was the first individual – regardless of gender – to receive a million dollars for appearing in a single film.

Indeed, that’s accurate! Women didn’t necessarily require “equal pay” since their films were raking in substantial profits. Instead, they were compensated generously because of their immense value.

Salke will likewise recall Penny Marshall, a prominent figure in Hollywood since the 1970s, who not only acted but also directed and produced movies. She hailed from a family involved in the industry, yet she managed to create blockbuster films, becoming the first woman to direct a film that earned over $100 million at the box office.

Salke’s argument, as well as the stance of many Hollywood women today, is that women historically haven’t enjoyed success or financial rewards equal to men, and they couldn’t independently direct or produce. Consequently, they assert that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies are necessary for their advancement, and they believe in helping each other climb the ladder of success.

Talent Is A Thing

When Val Kilmer passed away, social media sparked intense debates about which of his roles showcased his finest acting abilities. Everyone seemed to have their favorite, but it’s clear that this man was an unconventional Hollywood star who managed to excel in a highly competitive industry despite being an outsider. He attended a prestigious school, worked diligently, cultivated connections, and enjoyed a remarkable career as a result.

Instead of today’s celebrities, it seems many videos show them behaving unprofessionally during interviews, lacking dignity and grace. Their actions often give off an air of foolishness, and their frequent outbursts on social media diminish the enigma surrounding them.

This behavior is attributed to Salke, as she selects individuals for interviews that often result in poor quality, causing a decrease in viewership for shows like “The Rings of Power” and “Wheel of Time”. She employs an underperforming talent such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge primarily for the sake of it, and it appears her main objective is to inflict as much damage as possible on Amazon’s valuable intellectual properties at great expense.

To put it simply, she was completely devoid of talent and therefore could not spot talent.

The Damage Is Permanent

Currently, Salke has moved on, leaving Kathleen Kennedy in control at Lucasfilm. Impressively, both Amazon and Disney have transformed iconic global properties into entities that seem devoid of value. The response from the fan communities towards new projects is now more fear than excitement, while public discourse revolves around disappointed cast members pointing fingers at the audience for their ruined careers. Only when there’s controversy do these companies gain attention.

In essence, just like Pickford, Taylor, and Marshall, these women are equally significant, albeit their impact is more akin to a destructive wildfire in the film industry, consuming value rather than creating it. Their legacies may be reconstructed over time, but it would require substantial resources and years to do so. The analogy here is that people will continue to reminisce about the disappointment they felt as their cherished productions were reduced to ashes for many years to come.

It’s not the legacy Salke and Kennedy wanted, but it is the legacy they deserve.

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2025-04-14 14:45