min read · September 24, 2025 · Entertainment

Barbra Streisand’s Political Echoes: From ‘The Way We Were’ to Kimmel’s Conundrum

$Barbra Streisand made a thinly-veiled reference to the Jimmy Kimmel fracas in a post remembering her classic movie The Way We Were, starring her with Robert Redford$

BARBRA STREISAND UNLEASHES JIMMY KIMMEL-RELATED RANT, TIES IT TO HER CLASSIC MOVIE THE WAY WE WERE

In a thinly veiled reference to the Jimmy Kimmel fracas, Barbra Streisand has ignited a firestorm of controversy with her latest post on social media. The 83-year-old legend was remembering her iconic movie The Way We Were, which she starred in alongside Hollywood heartthrob Robert Redford, who sadly passed away last week.

But what's really got tongues wagging is not the tribute to her beloved co-star, but rather Streisand's pointed remark about the current state of affairs. You see, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was indefinitely suspended after its host made a comment that sparked outrage and threats from the FCC chairman. The show's return was announced on Monday, but it seems Streisand is still fuming.

In her post, she referenced the Hollywood blacklist of the 1940s and 1950s, which serves as the backdrop for The Way We Were. She lamented that "it's happening again" - a clear nod to the current climate of fear and censorship that has engulfed the industry. The original film was known for its strong anti-communist undertones, but Streisand has long maintained that two key scenes were cut from the final version.

These deleted scenes, which have now been restored on the 50th-anniversary Blu-Ray, show Katie (Streisand) struggling with her past activism and its impact on her marriage to Hubbell (Redford). In one pivotal scene, she's named as a former communist by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), forcing her to make a heart-wrenching decision.

Streisand has always believed that these scenes were essential to understanding the complexities of Katie's character. She's even gone on record saying that their removal "destroyed the soul" of the film, and herself as an actress.

But this isn't just about The Way We Were - it's about the parallels between then and now. Streisand is drawing a direct line between the Red Scare and the current climate of fear-mongering and censorship in Hollywood. And she's not alone.

The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has sparked outrage among industry insiders, with many seeing it as an attack on free speech. The FCC chairman's threats have only added fuel to the fire. Streisand's post is a powerful reminder that history repeats itself, and that artists must continue to speak truth to power, no matter the cost.

But what about Robert Redford? The beloved actor passed away last week, leaving behind a legacy of iconic roles and collaborations with some of Hollywood's greatest stars - including Barbra Streisand. In her tribute, she gushed about their time working together on The Way We Were, calling him "charismatic, intelligent, intense, always interesting" and one of the finest actors ever.

However, there's a juicy tidbit that's been making the rounds: according to author Robert Hofler's 2023 book about the making of The Way We Were, Streisand was "infatuated" with Redford on set. So infatuated, in fact, that he allegedly wore two pairs of tight underwear during their iconic sex scene to protect himself from her advances!

And it seems Redford wasn't exactly smitten either. Hofler claims the actor considered Streisand a "serious actress," but not someone he'd be willing to get involved with - especially considering he was happily married with four kids.

The drama that unfolded on set of The Way We Were is just one of many fascinating stories about this iconic film. From its troubled production to its groundbreaking themes, this movie continues to captivate audiences to this day.