Monotony x 3

    I only watch television out of boredom and to keep silence away, so I'm probably not a fair or apt judge of programming, but the last week and a half should set some kind of record in things that go on too long. 

   (1)  The Country Music Awards did not seem very country at all, but that may be I'm so out of touch I did not know most of the performers or songs. I was familiar with Jennifer Hudson, was not  aware of any country music connection. She sang a song that seemed like a show tune, so not in accord with the show, as far as I could see. I realize she may have one of the most powerful voices of our time as far as range and tone. But much of her performance escalated into voice exercises with increasing volume. After she finished the dolorous, yet ultimately triumphant lyrical message, she continued on into scatting or trilling or whatever it's properly called. The country audience was transfixed, showing their appreciation of her wonders by wagging their heads side to side. But she continued so long that they eventually tired of that; a few times they thought she was finished and started to applaud, But she went on, and on. And on. I can't say when or how she eventually finished because the station broke in on her performance with a commercial.

  (2) Taylor Swift released a new album, this time one she owns. She sang a guess-who love song experience that went on and on and on, repeating the same refrain. For 10 minutes, I hear. All Too Long and TMI.

  (3) But most cringe-worthy of all was Adele's One Night Only Interview with Oprah. I admit I watched only for a short time. She was standing on a flight of stairs, cinched into a black gown, and bemoaning life in general, her life. A lengthy and repetitious screed. Then  the interview with O., whose wealth allows her to wear ugly eyeglasses which her followers will want to emulate. The crux seemed to be that Adele was in a marriage that had turned loveless, so she felt trapped and turned to alcohol, a lot of alcohol, until she overcame all the adversities in her life and divorced the man who brought her into such despair, but now they are friends and she admires him more than anyone else in the world. 

 Or something like that.