"Awards shows are the best chance that writers have to prove how valuable they are. Without a script, we may finally find out how vapid and empty these stars really are," said Tom O'Neil, columnist for the entertainment-awards Web site TheEnvelope.com.
It's just unbelievable! Gone are the days of the truly talented showmen and women who pursued their destinies as performers, showcasing their natural gifts, without having to read cue cards, lip synch or rely on unsung geniuses to write their songs, scripts or monologues. I'm sure the old vaudevillians remember - they didn't have technology, stylists, writers or publicists to rely on to MAKE them. They made themselves and, thus, heightened American culture.
My friend, Raoul Felder, said it best in his recent blog - "...can anybody imagine George Carlin or Jackie Mason not being able to carry on a conversation without somebody holding up cue cards?"
Remember the great performers of yesteryear? The musicians who could actually play their instruments? Singers who could actually sing? Hosts who had wit? Today they're a dying breed.
America is suffering through a real culture crash - not just because the writers are on strike, but because we've allowed these people that call themselves "artists" with minimal talent to rule the world; and so-called "entertainment" shows on TV are not reporting entertainment news, but rather tabloid gossip about these characters. There are so many shows and media outlets out there these days making a living from following around despicable people who do so little for our culture.
For instance, those kooks on Showbiz Tonight who should be ashamed of themselves! They glorify reprehensible behavior and are constantly touting no-talents, labeling them "A-listers," which is ridiculous because most of them produce nothing of any value. Their entire agenda revolves around hyping these nuts that do nothing for our culture or society. Do you actually think Britney Spears would have a "hit album" today without technology and a whole cast and crew of people doing all the work for her, hyping her, stylizing her? Her writers MAKE her! So, by praising these types of people daily, the media is lowering the bar - and the definition of TALENT - inch by inch. And we honor "Hollywood royalty" with so many awards shows annually; the praise and accolades are far outnumbering their accomplishments!
I remember years ago looking forward to the Oscars and the Grammy's, thinking of these shows as exciting, fun - an annual treat that highlighted the best of the best. But in recent years past - writers intact - these shows have become monotonous, tedious and boring - not to mention how low they scoop the bottom of the barrel looking for people to honor. And now there are just too many awards shows, so it's become a "whole lotta nothin' special."
Maybe some time away, without all the ego-stroking of the rich and famous-for-being-famous would do us all a lot of good - and maybe we'll get back to what makes American culture the greatest - real, honest talent! Maybe a sabbatical year to rethink our cultural priorities would be a good thing. Will there be no Oscars and Grammy's this year? I doubt it. I'm sure they'll find a way to go on with the show; and without writers, maybe the real talent will shine through and we'll finally see the true colors of the rest.
Related Article: Bob Colacello: "From Warhol to Reagan"
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