Drudge Takes The Oscar For ‘Clueless’
It can be difficult to tell when a media site crosses the line from conscientious reporter of news to barely-camouflaged shill for the neo-Conservative Right Wing. In the case of Matt Drudge, that’s never been a problem, because no one with an ounce of objectivity would ever accuse him of being anything BUT a barely-camouflaged shill for the neo-Conservative Right Wing.
Say what you will about Drudge, he does have his moments of brilliance. Unfortunately, and sadly, the moments are few and far between, being drowned out as they are by his shameless attempts to peddle Right-Wing news propaganda.
Drudge’s recent attempts to drum up outrage over Chris Rock’s alleged comments concerning the Oscars are a good example of just how far he will go in his attempt to further his agenda. Rock was merely being honest regarding his feelings about the Oscars, but at no time did he come anywhere close to being as offensive or outrageous as Drudge alleged.
I never thought I’d say it, but Matt Drudge has made me feel better about America.
As manufactured media “news” goes, the right-wing Internet curmudgeon’s effort to scuttle Chris Rock’s appearance as host of the Oscar telecast Feb. 27 hasn’t gained much steam. Which explains my cheerfulness.
As one who hasn’t missed an Oscar telecast since childhood, I’ve always had strong opinions about emcees’ performances: Steve Martin was classy, Billy Crystal’s trademark opening songs were uproarious, Whoopi Goldberg was oft-embarrassing. I looked forward to Rock’s appearance because the comic isn’t just hilarious; he’s frighteningly honest….
Clearly, Drudge feels differently. The Feb. 13 edition of his Drudge Report featured a screaming all-caps headline: “HOST CHRIS ROCK SHOCK: ONLY GAYS WATCH OSCARS; ACADEMY MEMBERS ALARMED OVER CHOICE OF COMIC.” The “exclusive” report describes how “concerned” some conveniently unnamed members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are over the choice of Rock as host.
Members’ concern supposedly deepened after Rock joked to Entertainment Weekly that the only black men who watch the Oscars are gay. Of course, Drudge upped the ante by suggesting that Rock said that only gays, period, tune in. Rock’s actual quote: “Come on, it’s a fashion show. What straight black man sits there and watches the Oscars? Show me one!”
To which Rock added: “Awards for art are [expletive] idiotic.”
Personally, I agree with Rock. Award shows for art ARE [expletive] idiotic. It’s why I refuse to watch them. They’re artificial competitions designed for a medium that is not, nor should it be, at all about competition.
Does anything that Rock said rise to the level of insensitivity or boorishness? Not hardly. If Chris Rock is guilty of anything, it’s of being honest. So he’s not politically correct. Who gives a #$&%? I’ll take honestly over a fawning, politically-correct man any day of the week, and twice on Sundays. If Matt Drudge can’t handle that, the man’s a bigger pussy than I’d previously thought.
