Perkins: I don’t know about you, but I’m still talking about MTV’s Video Music Awards show. Lady Gaga scares the you-know-what out of me; Kanye West should only open his mouth to sing or rather, rap; and, I’m pretty sure Taylor Swift is going to be fresh out of material by the time she is 21. Tell me you at least tuned in hoping to a catch a faux pas or deux?
Meo: I didn’t realize MTV still ran the VMAs. I stopped watching, probably because I’m too old for music videos, but also because MTV ceased to be MTV and became — or rather led — the charge over the Reality TV cliff. I saw the clips on what I would normally consider reputable networks, CBS and CNN, and was impressed, but not surprised, Beyonce took control of the situation. Apparently West apologized, but it was too little too late, and likely scripted. Was Lady Gag the one wearing the feathers or thorns or whatever? That was a better act when Bjork did it.
Perkins: Sunday nights are well known for lousy programming. At best, there is a crime drama or an award show to occupy my time. Music television has certainly lost its mojo, but if you tune in for one thing, it should be the Video Music Awards, if anything, at least to see the music videos. Based on the turnout, I think its pretty fair to say it’s been an interesting year in music. I’m ready to see less Beyonce and more of her better half in 2010.
Meo: Either is fine by me. I’d like to see Jay-Z take a turn as host of “SNL,” but even now, rappers may be too ... Inappropriate, I guess ... for that crowd, and by “that crowd,” I mean, “white people.” The few rap acts I’ve seen on “SNL” never look quite right, even though it should be a perfect vehicle. I can think of at least two things that that occupy my Sunday night’s with regard to TV ... “Sunday Night Baseball” and “Football Night in America.” Year solved.
Perkins: You may want to spend this Sunday night revisiting some of Patrick Swayze’s best films. I don’t care what anyone says, “Dirty Dancing” is by far the best Swayze flick. It’s one of those movies that’s always on TV. As a kid, I would watch it and dance around the living room. As I got older, I paid attention to the plot and Johnny Castle.
Meo: I got a little misty watching the retrospectives of his work. Yeah, Swayze was a treasure, but I’ll take “Red Dawn,” (there’s no need for a remake, the first one was perfect) then “Road House,” then “Point Break.” “Dirty Dancing” is for girls (this coming from the guy who’s seen “Grease” 80 times). Shame is, Swayze was, by all accounts, a decent guy, and he’ll get maybe two days of coverage and be forgotten. We haven’t left Michael Jackson behind, and we won’t for a long time.
Perkins: Yes, the sexiest man alive circa 1991 had everything it takes to be a star: looks, dance moves, a hit song and has been married since 1975. Michael Jackson was weird, that is why the saga continues. Swayze was iconic but down to Earth. So, unfortunately there is not much fodder there. So we must move on ... “like the wind.’’
Meo: Oh no you didn’t. Oddly, he was the one actor of his generation that didn’t seem to embarrass himself in singer mode: Don Johnson, Bruce Willis, Eddie Murphy ... all laughable disasters, but not Swayze. Maybe because he could tear a man’s throat out with his bare hands. It amazes me he was 57 though. The years keep on marching by, stomping mud holes in all of us.
Perkins: It’s true. My kids are going to have no idea who Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon or Patrick Swayze were. They will be forced to remember people like Ashton Kutcher and all those Disney and Nickelodeon poptarts. They don’t make them like they used to.
Emily Perkins is the editorial assistant at the Norwich Bulletin. Despite a dislike for Beyonce, she is with Team Kanye. John Meo is design editor for the Norwich Bulletin. He wants you to be nice until it’s time not to be nice.
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