THB #177: The Lies We Choose

Donald Trump has given lying a bad name.

I’ve been in the entertainment news business for over 25 years. A day without a lie is like a day without engaging the world in which I live.

And I really don’t see this as a problem.

I get lied to by friends, enemies, acquaintances, and total strangers. The alternative would not allow them - and sometimes me - to their jobs correctly.

Sometimes, silence replaces a lie because that is easier. Sometimes, an unexpected truth is offered to lessen the doubts around the lie to come. Very cleaver types will sometimes joyfully call out one of your lies of avoidance in order to grease the wheels of their lie to come.

Hollywood is a lie. 24 or 30 frames per second, even in the editing of a documentary, the thing you are watching is not truth, though it may be supremely truthful. Or utter bullshit.

Some lies are meant to go directly to the public as told. Some lies are meant to be watered down so the reporter can have the opportunity to look serious and st…