The Tone Deaf Awards

Musket

Last Sunday night, I, along with 315 million people did not watch the 2017 Emmy Awards. What was different this year is that I did not even PLAN to watch the Emmys. It was going to be a three hour long tribute to the “Resistance” with digs, some subtle others not, at the president, his supporters, and anyone who dares to think differently from the Hollywood elite. And it did not disappoint.

In years past, I watched the Emmys. I watched the Oscars. I watched the MTV Music Awards. I watched all of the entertainment awards shows because I enjoyed the entertainment value. There have always been cringe-worthy moments in these shows for conservatives because Hollywood has been progressive for as long as I’ve known it. Now speaking out against alleged “inequality” across all of the social justice warrior spectrum: gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, etc. is not something casually interjected into an award speech, but rather it has become Hollywood’s DUTY to proclaim loudly to a cheering audience of fellow elites.

Before we venture much into the realm of how far Hollywood really is out of touch with America, let us examine a trend that began a few years ago but really exploded, at least in my mind, onto the television industry this year. It seems that the less likely it is that anyone has heard of, much less has seen, the far more likely that show and its actors are to be awarded for entertainment excellence.

“The Crown” - Netflix
“The Handmaid’s Tale” - Hulu
“Atlanta” - FX
“Veep” - HBO
“Big Little Lies” - HBO

The Handmaid’s Tale was quite likely to have received almost no buzz at all were it not for its being thrust into the role of “representing all women living in the dark days of the Trump presidency.” Was this series awarded for fine writing, acting, and directing? Or was it awarded for its “courageous stand against misogyny in modern America?” Who knows for sure, but there are certainly some clues.

Let us examine the categories of supporting actor and actress in a comedy series. Best supporting actress in a comedy series? Kate McKinnon. That same Kate who was lauded the world over for her “brave” tribute to Hillary Clinton after her election night loss. In the supporting actor category, there were a number of actors who are in their shows every week and play substantial roles, including the very funny Ty Burrell from Modern Family. The winner? Alec Baldwin, who made a few guest appearances on Saturday Night Live doing impersonations of Donald Trump.

Hollywood, unlike its progressive counterparts in the media, have no incentive or desire to mask their particularly wonky brand of liberalism. But in these award selections they are unmasking a critical flaw in Hollywood-type progressivism: elitism.

“WHAT?” They proclaim, in condescending horror, “You don’t watch The Handmaid’s Tale?? It’s simply the best entertainment on television, and now it’s won an Emmy (you flyover country-dwelling rube!) We know better than you do. We know what counts as “smart humor.” We know what message is best to be spread across this land. We not only know better, but it is our obligation as enlightened people to shove our message of hope and tolerance right down your throats across any medium that can be found.

Only this time it did not work. Practically no one watched. Everyone, EVERYONE knew that political shitshow was coming. Everyone knew there would be men in drag, mocking middle America’s resistance to having a man in their daughters’ dressing rooms. Everyone knew there would be digs at the values that the majority of Americans hold. Everyone knew there would be “jokes” about Russia and Nazis and whether the left wants to acknowledge it or not, I would wager many of those who tuned out are on the political left and are simply tired of the message.

You see, Hollywood. We received your message loud and clear. You are not happy with the Democrats’ record low level of power. You are not happy about DACA. You are not happy about a wall. You are not happy about much of anything.

Now hear our message.

You might think because conservatives are not marching in the streets by the thousands that we aren’t hearing you. We are. We don’t march. We don’t strike. We don’t throw trash cans through store windows. We simply take our eyes and money somewhere else.

Looking at you too, NFL.