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Tim Robbins backs Woody Harrelson’s demand that Hollywood end COVID protocols on movie and TV sets. Share Variety article on Harrelson’s opinion, Robbins told his Twitter followers, “Woody’s right. It’s time to end this charade. The “Shawshank Redemption” actor tagged SAG-AFTRA and the Actors’ Equity Association so both organizations can see his advocacy.
In an interview with The New York Times last month, Harrelson said it was “absurd” that COVID protocols were still in effect on Hollywood sets. He added: ‘I don’t think anyone should have the right to demand that you have to do the tests, wear the mask and get vaccinated three years later. I’m just like, let’s get this nonsense over with.
“It’s not fair to the crews,” he continued. “I don’t need to wear the mask. Why should they? Why should they be vaccinated? How does it not depend on the individual? I shouldn’t talk about this (expletive). Makes me angry for the crew. The anarchist part of me, I don’t think we should have forced testing, forced masks, and forced vaccinations. It is not a free country. I’m really talking about the crew. Because I can avoid wearing a mask. I can test less. I’m not in the same position as them, but that’s wrong. It’s three years. Stop.”
Harrelson’s New York Times interview published shortly before his appearance as host of “Saturday Night Live” on Feb. 25. The actor sparked controversy for his opening monologue, which turned into a polarizing joke about the COVID conspiracy. Harrelson spent the majority of his monologue touting the “craziest script” he had ever read.
“So the movie goes like this,” Harrelson explained at the climax of the monologue. “The biggest drug cartels in the world are coming together and buying out all the media and all the politicians and forcing all the people in the world to stay locked up in their homes. And people can only get out if they take the cartel drugs and keep taking them over and over again.
“I threw out the script,” added Harrelson. “I mean, who was going to believe that crazy idea?” Being forced to take drugs? I do it on purpose all day.
Harrelson was clearly referring to COVID mandates and vaccines, which he has regularly criticized over the past few years. Now Robbins joins Harrelson in urging Hollywood to scrap COVID-related regulations.