On Thu, Feb 24, 2011 at 12:36 PM, PGage <[email protected]> wrote: > On Thu, Feb 24, 2011 at 12:51 AM, Michael <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> (SNIP) I'd prefer we measure success through the twin (and often >> conflicting) gauges of fan appeal (box office, sales, downloads, >> ratings, etc.) and critical praise (kudos from acknowledged experts). >> But the various branches of the entertainment industry want to throw >> these tedious wank-fests/parties in the guise of recognizing >> acheivement. It should be about the art, not about celebrities fawning >> all over one another, and certainly not about seemingly rigged >> "competitive" accolades. > > I guess your claim that "it should be about the art" is what I am finding > interesting about this discussion. Popular television, music and films are > entertainment, not art. It would be crass and insulting and meaningless to > have an awards show every year with red carpets and spot lights pimping the > best poems or paintings or symphonies of the year. The Emmys Grammys and > Oscars recognize quality in popular entertainment, using some unique > algebraic combination of commercial success and critical appreciation.
Media companies need to sell as much of their product as they can and awards shows are one way of pushing product. The awards ceremonies themselves are employee appreciation ceremonies, but we are talking about the awards shows, which include red carpet entrances, scripted accolades by celebrities of other celebrities, and host monologues and live performances. And all of the additions are to keep a large audience watching in order to sell more product. I don't mean this as a criticism of the shows. I don't see them as narcissistic wankfests, I see them as expensive infomercials. I can't remember paying to Grammys or Emmys when choosing what to listen to or what to watch. There have been occasions when I have been swayed into seeing a movie that won the best picture Oscar (Dances With Wolves, Gladiator) and I have been disappointed. -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
