In positive news to start 2022, the Golden Globe Awards ceremony was not broadcast on network television this year, which may be an indication of the waning influence of the Hollywood machine. This was probably a good business move. After all, giving airtime to a bunch of overhyped, overserved, overpaid and self-congratulatory entertainers is not an event that is likely to draw much of an audience in this Biden pandemic-inflation era. Many Americans are struggling to pay bills, attempting to avoid contracting a highly-contagious airborne illness, and striving to maintain some semblance of stability in a nation presently led by a markedly incompetent administration. Listening to leftist ranting from out-of-touch actors is probably not the way most Americans want to spend a Sunday evening these days. So, kudos to whoever had the good sense to forego broadcasting the Golden Globes for the masses this year, even though any anticipated decline in ratings was not the proffered reason for that decision.
With award-show ratings on the same downward trajectory as CNN’s ratings, combined with the industry’s struggle of finding a comedic host who has led a life without offending an individual or group of individuals, (other than a target group that the Hollywood legacies consider it to be acceptable to offend: Republicans), such affairs may become a thing of the past. Perhaps fading away are the days of large, celebrity gatherings, awkward red-carpet interviews, and rambling, theatrical, insincere speeches, gratefully cut off by a polite orchestral piece.
A combination of the fall of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, et al., the pandemic, and, the customary politically-polarizing commentary spewed at such shows, has likely eroded the desire of a significant portion of the formerly movie-going public to waste time watching such shows. And while award shows may be on the path of becoming a thing of the past, perhaps a 2022 virtual sports awards ceremony could be held to bestow the honor that seems most suitable for the times in which we live: that being, “the Most Valuable Unvaccinated Player”. If this fictitious award were to be considered across the sports spectrum, there is no doubt that there would be three leading candidates in the forefront for consideration.
The media mob has worked overtime trying to discredit, bully, and belittle these three athletes in an effort to coerce them into succumbing to taking the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. The media’s efforts include labeling these athletes derisively as “anti-vaxxers,” despite each of these men’s clear reluctance to publicly disclose his COVID-19 vaccination status. Undaunted by the media onslaught and collective journalistic condemnation, this trio of phenomenal athletes has held fast to their own bodily autonomy, personal convictions, and instincts and steadfastly refused to buckle under the media pressure. Let’s take a look at each one of the contenders.
Aaron Rodgers
Three-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers has received a lot of vitriol from the corporate media regarding his unvaccinated status, but perhaps the most troubling of the comments aimed at Rodgers came from some sports analyst named Hub Arkush, who is eligible to cast a vote in the Associated Press’ annual NFL MVP contest. Arkush, who referred to Rodgers during a radio program on 670 The Score in Chicago as “the biggest jerk in the league” and “a bad guy”, evinced that he would not cast his vote for Rodgers for MVP for reasons other than Rodgers’ on-field performance. When asked for a response during a news conference, Rodgers didn’t hold back: He referred to Arkush as “an absolute bum,” said that Arkush does not even know him and has never met him, expressed that he believes Arkush should be disqualified from future voting based on comments made during the radio interview and that Arkush’s problem with him is because Rodgers is not vaccinated. Rodgers sarcastically suggested that Arkush should come up with an award for “the Most Valuable Vaccinated Player.” See, video of Aaron Rodgers’ comments, Jan. 5, 2022, WISN_Watson@twitter.com.
In any event, despite the excoriating and hectoring media machine having unleashed its fury on him for months, Rodgers is not allowing the media’s obsession with his vaccination status detract from his stellar performance on the field. He remains focused on his game, leading his team to victory.
Kyrie Irving
The press has spent a great deal of unsuccessful, strenuous effort trying to convince seven-time NBA All Star Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets to submit to taking the COVID-19 vaccine, including questioning his teammates about their opinions as to his decision. Due to New York City’s vaccine mandate for indoor venues, Irving was forced to sit out all home games. Nets management also declined to allow Irving to participate in away-games: Well, up until recently, that is. The Nets’ sanctimonious position changed as to away-games when a COVID-19 outbreak happened upon the vaccinated members of the team. See, Nets forced to regroup after COVID outbreak left roster separated, by Brian Lewis, New York Post, Dec. 25, 2021, nypost.com. Then the unvaccinated Irving was called off the bench for road games and came to save the day for the Nets. See, Kyrie Irving drops 22 points in season debut as Nets beat Pacers, by Paul Kasabian, Jan. 6, 2022, bleacherreport.com. Since Kyrie Irving was willing and able to step in successfully on the court when needed, perhaps he would consider obtaining a commercial pilot’s license so that he may be able to fill in for absent airlines personnel to help mitigate against flight cancellations.
Novak Djokovic
The number one ranked men’s singles tennis player in the world dominated the headlines in the past couple of weeks. The legendary Novak Djokovic was detained in an immigration center at a very special hotel by the Australian authorities because they decided he had failed to present satisfactory proof of a medical exemption to the nation’s vaccine requirement for entry. While his parents and his supporters bemoaned his loss of liberty, most of the press coverage was patently unsympathetic to his plight. Although a judge ruled in favor of Djokovic earlier this week, ordering his release from captivity, and reinstating his privilege to remain in Australia, Djokovic’s visa was subsequently canceled by action of the Australian Immigration Minister. See, Novak Djokovic gets Australian visa canceled again, faces deportation, Jan. 14, 2022, by Ryan Gados, Fox News, foxnews.com. As of the writing of this column, it remains to be seen whether Djokovic will actually play in the Australian Open, and, if so, how he will ultimately fare in the wake of having been detained in such close proximity to the tournament.
Who do you think should win the title of the Hub Arkush Award: The Most Valuable Unvaccinated Athlete of the Year?