Grammy Cheap Shot
Feb. 1st, 2010 12:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
storytimewithjoeAt the end of a wonderfully relaxing day, I spent the evening on the couch, embroidering away, while watching the Grammy’s. And during one of the presentation monologues, one thing was said that truly bothered me. Early in the show, Stephen Colbert came out to present an award. Trying to be funny, he took various pot-shots at performers. Now, I will admit, I watch the Colbert Report, and have frequently laughed. But something has happened to Mr. Colbert. Over time, his humor has morphed. He has gone from being clever in his comedy to, well, something else. His initial clever sarcasm has become dwarfed by an over-the-top arrogance and occasional down-n-out rudeness. Such was the case in his monologue.
While chatting about some of the entertainers of the season, he took a couple of unnecessarily harsh pot-shots at Susan Boyle. Known for her out-of-nowhere skyrocket to fame audition in Britain’s Got Talent, Mz. Boyle is one of those social anomalies that shatters stereotypes, forcing us to all realize that one cannot judge a book by its cover. No, Mz. Boyle is not what one would call a svelt, young beauty queen. But that isn’t the point. The point is, an average woman from an average place with a completely unremarkable life just happens to have such a pure and rich and rare talent as to make everyone take notice. And frankly, the talent that has launched her into a place of absolutely deserved international fame. But that does not mean that it should come at the price of being made fun of for her looks. And that is exactly what Mr. Colbert did. He took cheap shots, and it was just plain mean.
Now don’t get me wrong. Sometimes a good ribbing really is funny. And many of the celebrities out there say or do things to bring it on themselves. I mean, seriously – I don’t think that Lady GaGa would have a leg to stand on if she got upset at being made of for her fashion choices. Seriously, that gal is really out there! But what has Susan Boyle done to deserve being so harshly made fun of? Can’t somebody be appreciated for the beauty they contribute without being torn apart in other areas?
Shame on you, Mr. Colbert! Not cool.
While chatting about some of the entertainers of the season, he took a couple of unnecessarily harsh pot-shots at Susan Boyle. Known for her out-of-nowhere skyrocket to fame audition in Britain’s Got Talent, Mz. Boyle is one of those social anomalies that shatters stereotypes, forcing us to all realize that one cannot judge a book by its cover. No, Mz. Boyle is not what one would call a svelt, young beauty queen. But that isn’t the point. The point is, an average woman from an average place with a completely unremarkable life just happens to have such a pure and rich and rare talent as to make everyone take notice. And frankly, the talent that has launched her into a place of absolutely deserved international fame. But that does not mean that it should come at the price of being made fun of for her looks. And that is exactly what Mr. Colbert did. He took cheap shots, and it was just plain mean.
Now don’t get me wrong. Sometimes a good ribbing really is funny. And many of the celebrities out there say or do things to bring it on themselves. I mean, seriously – I don’t think that Lady GaGa would have a leg to stand on if she got upset at being made of for her fashion choices. Seriously, that gal is really out there! But what has Susan Boyle done to deserve being so harshly made fun of? Can’t somebody be appreciated for the beauty they contribute without being torn apart in other areas?
Shame on you, Mr. Colbert! Not cool.
