Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour

Episode: Kevin Sorbo on Hollywood Cancel Culture and Independent Filmmaking | DSH #1526

Date: September 7, 2025
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Kevin Sorbo

Overview

In this episode, Sean Kelly welcomes actor and director Kevin Sorbo, best known for Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Andromeda. The conversation dives deeply into Hollywood cancel culture, Sorbo’s transition to independent filmmaking, the erosion of free speech in the entertainment industry, and broader sociopolitical trends in America. The discussion also touches on family, legacy, social media censorship, political divisions, masculinity, and Sorbo’s ongoing film and travel projects.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cancel Culture & Hollywood’s Political Climate

• Kevin Sorbo as Early Cancel Culture Example
  • Sorbo shares that his career in Hollywood was derailed about 12 years ago, becoming what he considers one of the first prominent “cancel culture” victims for openly conservative views on social media.
  • “I'm the first cancel culture victim in Hollywood. For what? For posting the truth on Facebook and Twitter... Being a conservative in Hollywood is like being. It's kryptonite to them.” (00:58)
  • His agent and manager dropped him, citing changes in Hollywood’s political dynamics.
  • He notes Hollywood has become increasingly intolerant of conservative perspectives.
• Predictability and Agenda in Mainstream Movies
  • The conversation critiques recent Hollywood films for being “predictable,” visually driven, and reliant on promoting ideological agendas over relatable storytelling.
    • “I do the movies that Hollywood used to do. Movies that have love and hope and faith and love and relapse, you know, laughter... Instead of walking out, wow, a great visual effect.” (03:11)
  • Sorbo anticipates a coming “tipping point” as audiences tire of the status quo.
• The Rise of Independent Film & DIY Promotion
  • After his Hollywood exit, Sorbo’s films are made in the $2-3 million range, relying on word of mouth, grassroots PR, and interviews rather than large studio backing. He currently has four narrative features and three documentaries set for release.

2. Technology, Social Media, and AI Fears

• Social Media Deplatforming
  • Discusses being banned from Facebook for “misinformation” that he later feels was vindicated: “Facebook took me down for posting the truth... Do I get my 4 million followers back? No.” (06:04)
  • Notes everything once labeled a conspiracy “always been proven true now...it just takes six months to become truth.” (07:33)
• AI and Industry Disruption
  • Sorbo expresses concern over artificial intelligence’s impact on entertainment, jobs, and society, referencing the surreal ability to insert historical figures and actors into new films.
• Connection in a Digital World
  • Critiques the paradox of increased social platforms but decreased genuine connection: "We have more social media than ever now, but we're less connected now because of it, I think." (05:08)

3. Political Reflections & Social Commentary

• Conservatism and Upbringing
  • Sorbo has been conservative since his first vote (for Ronald Reagan in 1980), diverging from his Democratic family roots. Views past Democratic figures as centrist by today’s standards.
  • Highlights Bill Maher as someone open about the Left’s excesses.
• Critiques of Taxation and Government Overreach
  • Strong criticisms of inheritance and property taxes: “You think you own your house, you think you own the land, but no, you don't.” (09:59)
  • Argues that there’s systemic apathy and ignorance, which government exploits.
• Political Cynicism and Term Limits
  • Sorbo derides lifetime politicians and calls for eight-year term limits: “Nobody should get more than eight years... Why can't we get that?” (12:07)
• Comments on Border, Media, and Policy
  • Shares concerns about the border and government spending, referencing wild government grants and foreign aid.
  • Critical of the media’s bias and suggests mainstream outlets shield Democrats.

4. Reflections on Career and Changing Industry

• Early Acting Days vs. Now
  • Describes his love of classic cinema (Paul Newman, Robert Redford) and the contrast of today’s streaming-first generation.
• Legacy of Hercules, Andromeda, and Kiwi Film Industry
  • Shares the global phenomenon of Hercules and its impact on action/fantasy TV, the launch of Xena: Warrior Princess, and how those series seeded New Zealand’s film industry, later benefiting Lord of the Rings.
  • Humorously laments Peter Jackson never casting him despite helping lay the groundwork.

5. Masculinity and Culture Wars

• On Emasculation and Media Narratives
  • Praises his son Braden Sorbo’s book, Embracing Masculinity, which pushes back against what they see as a Hollywood-led emasculation of men.
  • Jokes that Hercules is now “too toxic” for a reboot: “That's probably why they haven't brought Hercules back. He's too toxic.” (26:21)
• Diversity in Casting and Awards Requirements
  • Condemns modern industry hiring and awards guidelines as performative rather than meritocratic: “You cannot get an Oscar or a Golden Globe unless you hire along these guidelines they have right now.” (27:10)
  • Thinks forced diversity requirements in period pieces are ahistorical and alienating: References a Danish medieval film and roots as ethnocentric stories that wouldn't meet current diversity standards. (27:16)

6. Social Media Hate and Public Engagement

• Trolling, Anonymity, and Mental Health
  • Sorbo jokes about provoking Twitter/X backlash: "I said, I didn't leave Hollywood because they blacklisted me. I left Hollywood because it's filled with pedophiles." (29:03)
  • Observes that social media hate often comes from anonymous, angry users, and sees it as a manifestation of deeper personal issues: “What a pathetic and sad existence, really. I feel sad for these people.” (27:06, 28:37)
• Politics and Friendship
  • Differentiates his ability to maintain personal and professional relationships regardless of political differences: “I get liberals that I wanted to work with in my movies and they don't want to work with me because I'm conservative...They're like Seventh grade mean girls.” (31:16)

7. Personal, Family, and Faith

• Current Projects and Travels
  • Upcoming films, including Christmas Eve, a World War I vignette, and a new sci-fi project.
  • Promotes upcoming trips: a Media Research Center cruise in Norway, and a “Footsteps of Paul” tour in Greece.
  • “We love it right now and I don't think we're leaving anytime soon,” about his family's move to Florida, emphasizing quality of life, family, and community (17:19).
• Mentoring the Next Generation
  • Shares pride in his children, especially Braden Sorbo, as authors and voices for conservative youth.

8. Reflections on Famous Encounters

• Stories of Meeting Political Leaders
  • Anecdotes about golfing with Donald Trump (“Trump’s a good golfer...He loves America. I don't care what people say about that.” 39:00), meeting Obama, Gorbachev, Bill Clinton, and working socially across the political spectrum.
• Legacy and Charitable Work
  • Supports various charities, speaks at events, and is engaged with organizations like Turning Point USA and Kirk Cameron’s Brave Books.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cancel Culture & Social Media Censorship

  • "I'm the first cancel culture victim in Hollywood. For what? For posting the truth on Facebook and Twitter." (00:58)
  • "Do I get my 4 million followers back from Zuckerberg and his wussy minions? No." (06:04)

• On Family Entertainment

  • "I do the movies that Hollywood used to do. Movies that have love and hope and faith and love and relapse, you know, laughter... people want movies that they can go, wow, that was just a good movie." (03:11)

• On Diversity in Awards:

  • "Now, you. You. You cannot get an Oscar or a Golden Globe unless you hire along these guidelines they have right now." (27:10)

• On Industry Influence:

  • “It was your shows that really started and built the industry in New Zealand...But you didn't give me one frickin role in Lord of the Rings.” (25:05)

Important Timestamps

• 00:58: Sorbo describes being “canceled” in Hollywood.
• 03:11: Critique of modern Hollywood films, the rise of independent, “family” filmmaking.
• 05:08 - 06:04: Social media’s negative effects, being deplatformed on Facebook.
• 12:07: Advocacy for political term limits.
• 14:33: Personal story about California wildfires prompting a move to Florida.
• 17:48: Upcoming Media Research Center cruise in Norway; Greece tour.
• 21:50: Hercules’ impact on global TV, Ryan Gosling’s first major role.
• 27:10: On new Oscar/Golden Globe guidelines for diversity.
• 29:03: Social media trolls, “I didn't leave Hollywood because of blacklisted me. I left Hollywood because it's filled with pedophiles.”
• 39:00: Sorbo on Trump’s golf game and why he values businesspeople in politics.

Final Thoughts & Where to Find More

• Sorbo directs listeners to SorboStudios.com for updates on his upcoming films, books, and family-oriented projects:
  • “I just hope people would support the movies we do there. I got some wonderful movies coming out that are family movies.” (41:31)
• He emphasizes his ongoing commitment to creating positive content and engaging in constructive, values-based discourse.

For fans of industry insights, candid political commentary, and Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes stories, this episode delivers a no-holds-barred conversation that’s both provocative and personal.