Harold and Kumar Go to the White House

By Amy Sullivan | @sullivanamy | April 7, 2009 | +

Apparently there was a shocking development on last night’s episode of House. (Like much of the country, I was busy watching Michigan State get stomped by UNC.) The upshot is that actor Kal Penn–of House and, of course, the Harold and Kumar movies–is leaving the television show. But the departure isn’t so Penn can focus on his film career. Instead, he’s going to work for the Obama White House as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison.

You may remember that Penn was one of the most active celebrity surrogates who volunteered for the Obama campaign last year. It’s not clear precisely what his responsibilities will be in the public liaison shop. But we can only hope this move sets a precedent for celebrity supporters giving up their big salaries and moving into government work. Health care reform? Shouldn’t be a problem now that the entire cast of E.R. is now available to pitch in and make it happen.

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Dee in Columbia MD

Hmm AS I don’t know exactly what conclusion I should draw. On one hand it was good info. I like the idea of someone putting their money where usually only the mouth goes. It’s inspiring that a celebrity wants to use more than just their celebrity they want to take on the work. But instead of exploring the possibilities in a serious way that would speak to the serious moment in time we find ourselves, you chose to mock. AS along with other deficiencies we’ve pointed out you have a serious tin ear.
http://smoothlikeremy.blogspot.com/ sgwhiteinfla

AS
.
There is a HUGE difference between what Kal Penn did during Obama’s campaign and most other celebrities did. He actually turned down movie offers back then to campaign and volunteer for Barack Obama. It seems that instead of celebrating the fact that he did in fact give up the money to do public service you have decided that its something to mock and make fun of. I mean why in the hell would anybody ever give up money and fame to try to help the people of this country right? How pathetically cynical that framing is. I don’t think this whole journalism thing is for you. Maybe you should try writing for SNL or something. They suck at being funny and ironic too.
FlownOver

hahahahahahahaha.

Wait. Actually, not at all funny. And as written, not at all informative either.
FlownOver

sgwhite: Must disagree. The cure for post-Fey SNL quality is NOT “more suck.”
cswartout

Actually House was on at 8PM in the East and the game, horrible though it was, only came on at 9.

You could have watched both!
Not normally a watcher of House, but it was funny seeing Meatloaf guest starring as a man dying of a heart condition.
Andy from MA

So is this choice career suicide? Glad to hear his offing on the show was his choice, rather than the producers.
dunedweller

Good for Kal Penn. It’s impressive that he takes public service seriously. I also think it’s a wise choice on the part of the Obama admin, considering the youthful audience reached by Kal’s acting work.
.
SNL: personally, I think it’s getting funny again. Bill Hader rocks – his impression of Keith Morrison had me rolling. Props to MacGruber too. Recent episodes with Tracy Morgan and Seth Rogan hosting have given me hope.
http://smoothlikeremy.blogspot.com/ sgwhiteinfla

For people who actually want, you know, news about Kal Penn accepting this job here is a MUCH BETTER article on it.
.
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/04/actor_kal_penn_joining_obama_a.html
cincinnatus est exterminata!

Sullivan, you are to journalism what Jimmy Fallon is to late night television.
http://travellingatalanta.wordpress.com/ travellingatalanta

What a mean little dig. I know he’s been in stoner comedies, but we’re talking about a guy who’s showing real dedication to something. He’s a UCLA double-major, apparently getting a graduate degree in international security from Stanford, he dedicated an immense amount of time and effort to the Obama campaign, he truly believes in what he’s doing. This is no unqualified hack.
.
I barely know of the guy, but this post was cheap and frankly dim. He’s taking a massive pay cut to work for the country, so — yeah, have fun sneering at the guy who actually makes sacrifices for an ideal.
Art Pepper

Kal Penn was excellent in The Namesake.
saybo

I remember watching him in an interview with Leno and learning that he had stopped acting for a while to teach at a university. Sounds like acting isn’t his priority in life, but giving back to the community as a smart individual rather than as a celebrity is. Good for him, and good for us.
dumdedumdum

I too am surprised at Sullivan’s smug snarkiness. Kal Penn seems to be a fairly serious fellow, who also acts (well — harold and kumar were funny, and The Namesake was a lovely movie in which Penn’s character had to shine. Penn had previously used Gogol Ganguli as his celebrity “check into the hotel” name and apparently the movie meant a lot to him, understandably). I believe he taught some classes on Asian Americans in film at Penn.

I’ve read that he prefers to use “Kal Penn” as a stage name only (real name is Kalpen Modi) so it will be interesting to see what he goes by in his new position.
strips76

ha ha ha..Drama troop at the white house playing pirates pirates..you guys are gong to miss bush in just few weeks..