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The Grammy's are now a joke

The awards show has lost credibility and is a shadow of what it used to be.

By Cheryl E PrestonPublished 3 years ago 5 min read
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Once upon a time, the Grammy Awards were respectable. It was an honor to be nominated and even a bigger joy for entertainers to win. The judges chose from a wide range of talented performers and fans eagerly awaited to see if their favorite artists would take home top honors. The Red Carpet was fun to watch as entertainers wowed us with style and grace but all of that has changed. I do not desire to sound like an old prude but there is nothing to respect regarding what was televised on Sunday night.

Presenters used to speak in clear English and sound professional. Last night, there was profanity and such a lack of decorum that I turned the show off after a short time. For lack of better wording, I must use the terms, rachet, and ghetto to describe what I saw. I think of the days of the Motown Machine where singers were groomed in the art of presenting themselves in the best light. They were taught how to conduct interviews and also trained to be respectful to fans. Women and men dressed in a manner that was not offensive to anyone and now all of that has changed.

There have always been entertainers whose attire stood out such as Liberace, Cher, and Prince but as a whole, most women dressed in an attractive manner. Today the majority of female singers dress in a way that once would have been called slutty. I understand that times and values change but it seems to me as if mainstream society is dumbing down. There are no standards anymore and the attitude seems to be less attire and more spreading of legs and being sexually suggestive.

My 3 young grandchildren were appalled at what they witnessed and asked me why there was so much potty mouth on the television. I could watch the Grammy Awards as a teen, along with the adults in the house and no one was ever ashamed of what came across the screen. There was a time when those who used profanity would at least watch their mouths in certain settings. Now it is commonplace for bad behavior to be the norm. I cannot believe that so many of today's artists are unable to finish an interview or present an award without cursing. I don't understand the purpose of music where every other word has to be bleeped out.

The over-emphasis on sex and profanity is not good for children because it teaches them that they do not have to conform to any standards. Stripper poles and gyrating rear ends are not entertainment nor a display of talent. None of this has anything to do with whether someone can sing or not. Numerous individuals on Twitter wondered why Cardi B gave such a trashy, X rated performance? If a singer is truly talented they do not need to use sex to sell their product. It seems that no one has shame anymore or cares what others think or how their behavior affects young minds.

Aretha Franklin at the Grammy's in the 70s.

The 2021 awards show was just plain disgusting and did not display the style and class of decades past. There used to be beautiful gowns and elegant classy women walking the Red Carpet but now it has turned into a porn fest with lots of T&A. One of the things that "liberated" women forget to process is that men are not baring all. Females today say they want the same rights as men to express their sexuality, but male entertainers are not parading around on stage naked, posing in suggestive manners, and gyrating. The Grammy's used to be about talent but now all the music and the performers sound the same.

The genres blend together and the music sounds canned and lacks originality. I had a friend say that she was home alone watching the program and was embarrassed at what she saw. This about sums it up for many of those who were reminiscing about past shows that were entertaining and those who won truly deserved their awards. If last night's program in any way was an indication of the future, we are in trouble.

Surely the opinion of parents or the impression on young minds should take precedence over simply desiring to do what thou wilt. One woman said to me that she was home alone watching the Grammy's and was still embarrassed. It's difficult for those of us of a certain age to see younger women seemingly considering themselves only as sex objects. Gyrating backsides do not indicate talent, yet talented women lower their standards these days.

The push for women's freedom and the desire to do what men have done has caused one very important point to be forgotten. Male entertainers are not baring all and shaking their bare bottoms. Men are not getting plastic surgery, liposuction, and nips and tucks in order to succeed. It is only female entertainers who go above and beyond trying to remain slim, relevant, and young. the 2021 Grammy Awards show was an eye-opening revelation into how society has changed and not for the better.

Just take a look at Grammy Awards shows of the past and compare them to what took place last night. I don't know how anyone will not be able to see a difference. Female entertainers used to dress in an attractive manner, but now they simply show off a lot of skin. It is very troubling that younger female singers do not have the self-respect of those from past generations. There was a time when serious actresses refused to do nude scenes. Today it is common for singers, dancers, and actresses to bear all without a second thought. The Red Carpet used to be filled with beautiful gowns and classy, elegant celebrities but now it is only a parade of T&A or bizarre outfits.

The male hip-hop presenters and artists should review footage from the award shows of days gone by. Their predecessors used proper English and came across as respectable in public no matter what they did in private. It is a sad day in the music industry because there seems to be no substance to those who are performing in this period of time. All of the music sounds manufactured and most of it has been sampled from artists from previous decades. The lack of originality in music, lip-synching, profanity, nudity, and an overall lack of respect is just too much for those who remember a time when the Grammys were a respectable program.

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About the Creator

Cheryl E Preston

Cheryl is a widow who enjoys writing about current events, soap spoilers and baby boomer nostalgia. Tips are greatly appreciated.

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