Award shows recognize the hard work, dedication, and time put into creating music, movies, and more. However, award shows have quickly become vain. The basis now is often times put on spectacles created by celebrities.
Each year millions of dollars are spent to watch people be acknowledged for their achievements. Yet, award shows such as the Oscars and Grammys are now being put on for egotistical reasons and for celebrities to compete for best dressed.
Searching for The Oscars 2020 online, the first ‘news’ posted is not who won the best picture, but a comment made by Rose McGowan on Natalie Portman’s dress. The loss of giving credit to earnest work and focusing on optics is unsettling.
The switch from recognizing achievements to displays of celebrities competing for narcissistic validation is the start of award shows’ demise. There is a lack of purpose present in demonstrations of award shows.
Senior George Venzke stated “I think award shows are a waste of time and money. I also don’t care who wore what and celebrity drama,” he said.
Along with the drastic emphasis on appearances, award shows leave out the general public in the decision of award winners. The demographics watching select movies are the ones who should pick the winners.
Rewards are based on a select few opinions, not the general population of people who are making it possible for the winners to make their money. Junior Reese Lienemann said that “Award shows have to go. Often times the best actor, actress, or singer doesn’t get the award, all it is now is drama,” she said.
The 2020 Oscars demonstrated the disapproval from the general population. With views going down 20 percent from the year before, award shows do not have the same effect as they previously had due to a shift from talent to superficial ideals.
Losing the focus on hard work and dedication put into making movies and music creates a vain environment for award shows to exist. The loss of public support and the creation of arrogant spectacles has made it time for award shows to come to an end.
