Podcast Summary – The Rubin Report

Episode: Inside Hollywood's Secret Conservative Club & If Hollywood Is Over | Patricia Heaton
Date: December 14, 2025
Host: Dave Rubin
Guest: Patricia Heaton

Overview

This episode features Dave Rubin in conversation with acclaimed actress Patricia Heaton, best known for "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "The Middle." The discussion covers the dramatic shifts in Hollywood—culturally, technologically, and politically—what it's like to be a conservative in the entertainment industry, the decline of the sitcom era, life after leaving LA, her outspoken pro-Israel advocacy after October 7th, and her role in the formation of Hollywood’s secret conservative club, Friends of Abe.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Golden Era of Network Sitcoms & Industry Changes

• Nostalgia for Classic Sitcoms

  • Patricia reminisces about the heyday of network sitcoms, such as "Seinfeld," "Friends," and "Everybody Loves Raymond."
  • She describes the close-knit, family-like atmosphere on set and the high bar for writing and acting during that time.
  • “Phil [Rosenthal] has famously said, ‘Go home and fight with your spouse and then come back and tell us about it and we'll do an episode.’ So that’s why it’s so unique, universally acclaimed, you know.” (Patricia Heaton, 04:21)

• The Decline of Multi-Cam Sitcoms

  • Shift from multi-camera, live-audience sitcoms to single-camera comedies has changed the energy and humor style.
  • Heaton compares comedic styles: “Single camera comedy is like Brie and Chablis and multi camera is like beer and brats... The punchlines have to punch.” (06:47)

• Advent of Streaming & Economic Changes

  • The rise of streaming "blew up the whole system," leading to shorter seasons, less pay, and less camaraderie.
  • “...the money was flowing then, you know, it ain't anymore.” (13:07)

2. Wokeness, Censorship, and Writers' Room Tensions

• Changing Creative Climate

  • Heaton reveals pressures around political correctness, including anecdotes of young writers stifling character development due to fear of appearing insensitive.
  • “One of the young writers said, well, that’s really homophobic. We can’t write that...How does a character change and evolve unless they start in some place?...You can’t have that ending unless you have that beginning.” (08:18)

• Diversity vs. Merit

  • Recalls rooms focused first on identity (ethnicity, sexuality) rather than comedic talent.
  • “You’re like, great, you’re a lesbian… but can you write comedy?” (09:57)

3. Leaving Los Angeles: Personal & Cultural Shifts

• Why She Left Hollywood for Nashville

  • Rising taxes, crime, and a reduction of professional opportunities prompted her move.
  • “We just thought that the taxes are high, the crime is high, the homelessness is high, and we’re not working in LA as much...So why don’t we leave?” (14:00)

• Empty Stages & "Zombie Movie" Vibe

  • On her return visits, Heaton observes empty lots and sound stages, signifying a deeper loss in Hollywood’s creative spirit and activity.

4. Outspoken Conservative & Pro-Life Views in Hollywood

• Standing By Her Beliefs: Early Stories

  • Heaton recalls being upfront about her pro-life stance, even risking roles if necessary.
  • She wore a Bush-Quayle button to work during the Clinton era and recounts the immediate tension and gossip it caused:
  • “I just wanted people to be aware that not everybody shares your political view and that you should be conscious that there might be somebody who has a different opinion.” (20:34)

• Navigating Friendships Across Political Divides

  • Despite differences, she emphasizes mutual respect among professionals working together for a show's success.
  • “We’re really united, first of all, in just friendship and admiration and respect for each other... and we want the show to be the best it can be.” (21:49)

5. The Challenge of Separating Art and Politics

• On Celebrity Outspokenness
  • Difficulty in separating an actor’s art from their political opinions, using Robert De Niro and Mark Ruffalo as examples.
  • “I do admire those folks who just... you don’t know anything about what they believe, and they just do their job... I think there’s freedom in that.” (23:34)

6. Israel Advocacy & the Creation of 10-7-07c

• How She Became a Vocal Supporter

  • Heaton describes a spiritual calling, catalyzed by October 7th and the ensuing silence (and even antagonism) from many in her industry and local communities.
  • “...if you were a German during World War II, do you hope you would be the good German who hid their Jewish neighbor? Well, today you have that opportunity.” (29:00)
  • She co-founded 10-7-07c to mobilize Christian support for Jews and Israel, describing surprise at how alone many Jewish friends felt after the attacks.

• On Hollywood’s “Hypocrisy”

  • Notes that Hollywood denounces Israel but remained silent during atrocities like those by Boko Haram.
  • “It’s clear that it’s about Jews and not about the actual violence…” (35:37)

7. Inside Hollywood's Secret Conservative Club: Friends of Abe

• Secret Gatherings for Hollywood Conservatives

  • Talks about hosting the first meeting of the Friends of Abe, a secretive group for right-leaning entertainment professionals to connect without fear of backlash.
  • “I think it ended up being 3,000 people by the time it sort of ended because we all knew each other now... we didn’t need an organization.” (38:44)

• On Anti-Semitism from the Right

  • Expresses shock at recent right-wing anti-Semitism, attributing it to spiritual malaise and people “selling their souls for clicks and money.”
  • “...it’s Jew hatred...It’s almost like a zombie apocalypse.” (41:05)

8. Current Projects and Artistic Perspective

• The New "Wild West" in Show Biz

  • She’s still developing projects and enjoys acting, but with a different level of passion and pragmatism.
  • Prefers ensemble work and roles that don’t hinge solely on her star power.

• Reflecting on Craft

  • Differences between live-audience and single-camera work; each has unique energy and challenges.
  • “On Raymond...there’s a heightened energy that you need as if you’re doing a play...But that shooting day takes so much energy...” (45:30)

9. Closing Thoughts: Faith, Optimism, and Perseverance

• Advice for Troubled Times
  • Ends on a hopeful, spiritual note, quoting Jesus:
  • “Jesus said, ‘In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer because I have overcome the world.’ So we know there’s going to be trouble. But at the end of the day... it’s all good. The war has been fought and it's been won by love.” (48:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Industry Decline & Nostalgia:

  • “That was the heyday. You had Seinfeld, you had Friends, so there was all these great comedies, and we got to be a part of that. That is probably not coming back now since the advent of streaming, which blew up the whole system.” (00:00)

• On Political Pressure in Writers’ Rooms:

  • “There’s a certain wokeness, I think, in some young people...How does a character change and evolve unless they start in some place?” (08:18)

• On Being Outspoken in Hollywood:

  • “You’re the bravest person I’ve ever met.” — A liberal script supervisor after Patricia wore a Bush/Quayle button to work. (20:36)

• On Her Advocacy for Israel:

  • “If you ever had the thought, if you were a German during World War II, do you hope you’d be the good German who hid their Jewish neighbor? Well, today you have that opportunity.” (29:00)
  • “I said, how are you doing? And they said, we’re not doing good, and you’re the only person that’s asked.” (30:24)

• On Faith and Perseverance:

  • “What does it profiteth a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” (42:32)
  • “...at the end of the day, at the end of the millennium, at the end of time, it’s all good. The war has been fought and it’s been won by love.” (49:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–06:30 – Patricia reflects on sitcom heyday, writing quality, and the ensemble family of “Raymond.”
• 06:32–09:30 – Shift from multi-cam to single-cam comedies; creative and cultural shifts in writers’ rooms.
• 13:47–16:02 – Leaving LA: economic, cultural, and professional reasons.
• 16:31–24:45 – Open conservatism, early Hollywood experiences, and the challenge of separating art from politics.
• 27:58–36:12 – Israel advocacy, October 7th, and founding of 10-7-07c.
• 36:12–41:05 – “Friends of Abe” and rise of anti-Semitism on the right.
• 44:01–47:58 – Hollywood’s “wild west” phase, creativity, and acting perspectives.
• 48:32–49:31 – Closing thoughts: faith, perseverance, and hope.

Final Note

This candid conversation between Dave Rubin and Patricia Heaton blends nostalgia with sobering industry reality and sharp political insight. It’s a rare inside look at the personal and professional costs of holding outsider beliefs in Hollywood, the collapse of a golden TV age, and finding purpose through faith and activism. For anyone curious about the intersection of entertainment, politics, and personal conviction, this episode is a must-listen.