I admit it. I grew up an award show junkie. I’m talking about the real award shows like The Oscar’s, The Emmy’s, The Golden Globe’s, The Grammy’s and the MTV Video Awards. Not these phony award shows like the American Music Awards or the People’s Choice Awards. The shows were sometimes entertaining and amusing and occasionally offered a real highlight performance. For some reason I found the stars incredibly fascinating. Mind you, this was before tabloid TV hit the airwaves, not allowing you to actually idolize anyone anymore, because they are always able to find some bit of dirt on everybody.
At some point, during one of these shows I hit the age of political enlightenment. One of the presenters was going off on a rant about some atrocity in the world that they felt strongly about. I was instantly turned off. Mostly for the star that had created this horrible feeling, but also for the award show I had been enjoying. How dare they destroy my viewing enjoyment. I still watch these shows when I can, watching for the chance great performance, but wary of what each star will say.
Why is it that people famous for entertaining us, think that what they have to say is so important to us mere mortals? What makes them feel that self-important? Incredible ego, I suppose, which is the same thing that made them entertainers to begin with. Why is what they say more any more important to me than what my drunken Uncle George has to say?
Over the years, the one common thread has been that these people made famous by saying or singing lines that were written professionally for them, sound like complete idiots when they need to speak for themselves. (Too obvious a place for an Obama reference.)
Presidential election years just serve to increase the number of these shallow attention seekers. By all means, I am glad that these characters have opinions. I just wish they would keep it to themselves. I admire the stars that silently spend their money or time to work for their causes or candidates. I believe there is more substance in this than seeking the limelight. I don’t think the publicity hounds realize the negative effect that their endorsements can have on their career. Like many other people I find myself avoiding movies with stars that endorse or music from singers that endorse anything that offends me. The same thing happens to those that support my opinion from those opposed.
Is there any chance of moving up the election? If we have to wait until November, I may be left with no one to entertain me.