The Latest Column: What Obama Will Mean to Hollywood

The industry is lining up behind Barack Obama, but one question seldom gets asked: Will he be "good" for Hollywood?

Throughout the 18-month campaign, Barack Obama has rarely highlighted such issues as sex and violence on TV, the problems of piracy overseas and consolidation of media conglomerates. Donors don't even inquire much about such subjects. As much as Hollywood might desire it, such industry topics simply aren't likely to top Obama's list of priorities.

Yet a history of his past statements, as well as proposals to boost funding for the arts, at the very least mean that the candidate will pay closer attention to the business than the current occupant of the White House.

That's my latest column in the print edition of Variety here.