Selling out is not necessarily a bad thing

The saying “sold out” is extremely common in the media and entertainment industry nowadays. It is overused, ill advised and should not have the negative connotation it holds in our current vernacular. Not only is the average consumer extremely hypercritical of media’s kingpins, it is extremely ironic for anyone to criticize these gifted and talented people for doing this.

Why are you in college?
The average answer and underlying theme (aside from I want to be x, y or z) is you want to have an income that will support yourself, and possibly a family someday. Most would like to have enough money to stimulate their ability to have fun, support hobbies, travel, buy nice material items and not have to do backbreaking labor where you are grossly underpaid working for an arrogant hothead for the remainder of your days.  
As a liberal arts student, relatives constantly ask me what I plan to do with my life and how I plan to support myself monetarily, not out of nosiness but sheer curiosity.  I understand many members of the cohort above us, and the one above them, did it the “hard way,” working their fingers to the bone day in and day out in factories, warehouses and material plants in hopes of advancement in career and income.

How might this relate to actors, musicians, athletes and societal role models selling out? Considering he is, undeniably, a comedic mastermind, let me use Adam Sandler as my prime example.  
I’ll admit, and as depressed as it may make me, I have seen many of Sandler’s recent films. I will be the first to say they are not to his full acting potential and put a bad taste in the mouth of the loyal fans of Sandler. But he did not sell out.

In fact, most would agree his prime occurred after his first four minor roles in “Shake the Clown,” “Coneheads,” “Airheads” and “Mixed Nuts.”  This era began in 1995 with “Billy Madison,” where audiences watched a spoiled, freeloading, live-at-home Sandler progress through a series of school tests, bullies and Veronica Vaughn to gain a proper education while gaining life lessons. He then won over the hearts of sports fans and comedy-film enthusiasts alike through his captivating role as the hockey-playing, temper-driven, 500-yard driving, Bob Barker slugging, kindhearted “Happy Gilmore.” Following those two blockbuster films, Adam Sandler’s career shone brighter than when you look at your phone screen awaking from a deep sleep in the early morning hours.

He then went on to star in movies such as, “Bulletproof,” “Dirty Work,” “The Wedding Singer,” “Waterboy” and “Big Daddy.” These effectively solidified Sandler as one of the iconic funnymen of his time, our generation.  
After “Big Daddy” in 1999, he began his own American film and television production company entitled Happy Madison, a name compiled of the two films that gave him his respected name in comedy.  The filmography of the company I’ll leave for you to look up on your own, but let me add that 11 of the 24 films constructed by the company have grossed over $100 million during their stint in theaters.   
With his ability as an actor and with his ability to consistently stay in business and produce movies, why not? One out of every two movies Happy Madison produces is one voluminous payday for Mr. Sandler, his co-stars, film crew and everyone else involved. I would gladly and joyfully be a Kevin James-esque character in “Role Models” if it landed me a chunk of the $162 million it earned.

So, maybe fans who exceedingly enjoyed Sandler’s classic characters are a bit peeved, irked, annoyed, irritated and upset by his roles that seem to be appealing more towards children or a family audience.  But don’t sit here and tell me Sandler sold out when he wakes up every morning, brushes his teeth, combs his hair, showers his body, takes a refreshing dip in his indoor, Olympic-sized swimming pool full of Benjamins and proceeds to the studio to manufacture a $100 million film.  
The main reason we are furthering our education at Oregon State University is to better ourselves and, if fortunate enough, to land a job that will financially support our habits, wants, desires and overall way of life.  Sandler, and other talents are called “sell outs.” They have sold out — and then some.

If you know of a better way to make $100 million in a year, please, I beg of you, do tell. Do tell.


Kyle Hart is a senior in psychology. The opinions expressed in his columns do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Barometer staff. Hart can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.