Enough Already, or, My Opinion of the 2008 CMT Music Awards

Hey gang. Okay, so last night I watched the much-hyped CMT Music Awards. Since The Wolf is a CMT Radio Network station...I really hate to give the Awards telecast such a negative review.

But I will anyway.

The opening sketch with Trace Adkins "scrambling" to get awards show tickets for his girls because they "loooooove" Mily Cyrus so much, was both entertaining and humorous. I kinda liked it. Too bad the show just went downhill from there. It would be much easier for me to list the things I really enjoyed about the CMT Music Awards, than those I didn't. So, okay...I'll do that, and as a bonus, I'll tell you later what I didn't. Yes, I care about you that much.

What I liked:
The opening sketch
Sugarland, Little Big Town and Jake Owen: "Life In A Northern Town" (I'm an 80's fan, sue me)
Kellie Pickler winning her awards...all 3 of 'em. (You're genuine, sincere, and real. Don't stop being that, pleeeeeeease, Kellie!)

That's it. Those are about the only things I really enjoyed for the whole two hours.

That's because the rest of the time I was trying to keep from gagging on all the sweet goodness that is Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus. That whole schtick was sooooo overused last night. Billy Ray playing dumb to Miley's wit and charm. My TV actually starting dripping honey. In case you didn't know, Miley is much more famous than her dad. And if you forgot a few minutes later, they reminded you again how successful she is...and how much of a commodity she is...over and over and over and over and over again. Ok, CMT...we got it. Sheeesh.

Oh, and a note to Taylor Swift. The whole being shocked and not believing you actually won an award was cute last year, but seemed a little much this year. Nice acting job, though. Oh, and the "Picture To Burn" performance was just hideous. I think I had a little bit too much MTV with my CMT last night.

On a positive note, because I don't want you to think I'm a big jerk, I did like the trimmed-downed performances by the new artists, specifically Lady Antebellum and Ashton Shepherd.

So, for next year, CMT...please don't misjudge your audience. Billy Ray and Miley hosting is fine. Just let them be themselves and enough with the syrup already.

Preparing for the backlash,
Steve James
"Wakin' Up With The Wolf"