The most exciting phrase to hear in science,
the one that heralds new discoveries,
is not "Eureka!', but
"That's funny..."
-- Isaac Asimov --
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Lamarr Wilson (Wilsontech1 on YouTube) made some good points in a recent video blog (now called, Heaven help us, a "vlog") about those nationally televised awards shows, in particular the recent Emmys, but by extension also the Oscars. He points out that actors are paid, and in most cases overpaid, to act. So why is there a nationally televised awards show to honor those who simply do their job? Especially a superficial job, not exactly a great contribution to humanity?
Why not a nationally televised awards show, Lamarr asks, for the best cops? Or firefighters? Or teachers? Or doctors? Or volunteers? Or my own contribution - why not televise the awarding of the Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes?
(Lamarr points out that many of the best shows never win awards, but crappy "Two and a Half Men" has won 9 Emmys. Actually, that's a bit misleading. Eight of those Emmys were for cinematography, not for a wonderful script, or storyline, or acting. One went to Jon Cryer for playing Alan, which I can sort of agree with.)
An aside - being nominated for an Emmy is not itself an honor. Show producers nominate their own shows. They send in clips for consideration in various categories. Practically everyone who nominates themselves is "nominated". Nomination has no meaning whatsoever. It doesn't matter how wonderful your show is, if you don't send clips or send them in time, then you aren't nominated. Shrug. And that's why many of the best most-loved shows never win anything - simply because the producers didn't nominate the show, for whatever reason. Some producers have been known to hold this over actors' heads. "Straighten up, or we won't nominate you."
In my opinion, the Oscar and Emmy shows, and the red carpet, and "best and worst dressed", and all the crap surrounding them, are all simply the industry people networking with each other, and the televised parts are nothing more than a multi-hour commercial foisted on us. Really. It's just a commercial. They're selling you their product.
So, are there any nationally televised awards shows for anything that matters? Anything that contributes to society? Ok, elections, if you consider public office an award for effective campaigning. What else? Hmmmm. We have beauty pageants. Talent shows. Sports shows.
Nope, nothing much that matters. Bread and circuses. Ho hum.
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1 comment:
In Sweden the awarding of the Nobel prize is televised, and the banquet too, and there are lots of about-programs as well.
Thank you for an interesting and often amusing blog!
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