Jerry Seinfeld wins an award and gives the greatest acceptance speech ever…
One of these days, remind me to write a post about the mixed feelings I have about awards for creative work…especially awards where even the people receiving them know darn well that the award does not really mean what it says on the inscription. Often, a trophy that purports to be from the entire entertainment community was voted on by six people…and the recipient was their ninth choice but the first eight refused to show up and accept the thing.
I also know people who suffered way too much when they didn't receive some coveted award or — worse — who did get some award and because of it lost perspective on themselves and their careers and therefore said or did some very stupid, self-injurious things.
But then I also have seen awards go to the right people at the right time for what was somewhat close to the right reason. Or when the award itself says something important or calls attention to some situation which needs attention. So I'm not against awards…just, I suppose, against pretending they mean a lot more than they do.