I was disappointed this week when the Screen Actors Guild nominations were announced, and some recent television performances did not make the cut.
First off, how could Donald Trump’s performance as lead actor in a reality series (which is rather an oxymoron) be overlooked? The show has been on CNN, MSNBC and Fox on a daily basis for months. Part of his audience has gone from being amused and entertained to being horrified, outraged, and panic-stricken. The rest of his audience has gone from “I love the Donald” to “I’ll follow the Donald to the pits of hell.” Which may be the destination. Tune in tomorrow…same Trump time, same Trump channel.
Too late to be considered is the performance in court this week by Robert “I am a Warrior for the Babies” Dear. I have to tell you, I’m stupefied by this guy. I can’t tell if he’s crazy or if he’s acting crazy. It’s about those eyes. Not Bette Davis eyes—he’s got those crazy Charles Manson eyes. Or, they may be those Uzo Aduba “Crazy Eyes”…I’m not sure which. Either way, his outbursts have been all over television, meaning we’re likely to stop talking about the murders he committed and start talking about whether or not he’s crazy. Which seems like a pretty sane way for him to proceed, if you ask me.
Also too late for consideration is the choked up, almost tearful apology performance of Rahm Emanuel this week for the Laquan McDonald shooting. It had all the sincerity of Kim Davis’ “hands to God” victory display earlier this year, but without the subtlety. There, I said it. You know things are bad when legislation is being introduced to allow the recall of the mayor of Chicago. Chicago? Too bad for Chicago? Really? Oh, that toddlin’ town.
So I’ve sat on the sofa, looking at all of this performance art and thinking, “If you’re acting, you’re wasting your time. If you’re not, you’re wasting mine.” Not exactly original, but it’s a good line. (Thank you Perry, Yablans, et al.) Strangely, none of them…not Trump, not Dear, not Emanuel…leaned out of the television and said “I’m not acting.”
That’s because they are, Blanche, they are.
