In this 24 August 2026 published Heretics video, host Andrew Gold talks with Patricia Heaton who says Hollywood became so hostile to dissent that she helped build a private network of 2,000–3,000 insiders – before the IRS asked for its members’ names.
In this Heretics interview, the Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle star tells Andrew Gold why “Hollywood’s dead”—and what changed inside its comedy writers’ rooms. Heaton reveals how a small gathering involving Gary Sinise, Kelsey Grammer, Jon Voight and Ben Shapiro grew into Friends of Abe, Hollywood’s secret community for conservatives, libertarians and independent thinkers.
Andrew first heard Patricia Heaton discuss Hollywood’s writers’ rooms with Dave Rubin on The Rubin Report. Here, they go further: from jokes being rejected as offensive and diversity requirements affecting hiring to Patricia’s Catholic faith, her pro-life beliefs and the people who allegedly refused to work with her.
Patricia also challenges Andrew’s atheism before they debate October 7, Israel, antisemitism, Hollywood activism, radical Islam, immigration and the political future of America.
Can Hollywood ever produce another timeless sitcom like Everybody Loves Raymond—or has fear permanently changed comedy?
