Award Show Overdose

Oscar ratings were down for a lot of reasons ... The social diversity topic was way overdone ... competition from other shows is stronger ... lack of stars ... and no compelling reason to put up with all the sludge to get to the good parts.

The Grammys are trying to save themselves by singing more and giving out fewer trophies. Most of the dozens of Grammys are given out at the pre-telecast ceremony ... off-broadcast air, but streamed online. The Oscar folks do that too with their technical awards. They need to consider doing something, but it's all very political. Some of the categories in the animation and foreign category try the most interested viewer. The music performances are usually good. That is, if you don't have someone like alleged comedian Sarah Silverman introduce you ... says she's didn't see the movie and hates the character (James Bond).

The music award shows need to sit up and watch. You have to show as many stars as you can ... you have to make it must-see TV. The ACM party at Jerry World was a must-tune-in to see what they would do. The Grammys try to create "moments." The Oscars, they just try to bore you to death ... How much pain can you take?

The fans love seeing the stars. Old and new. Find a way to get the folks who are not nominated in the game. Create some must-see moments like CMT does with their Crossroads series.

One fact: It is hard to beat the zombies!

From the Presidential election to unplugging the cable, tastes are changing (streaming, downloads) and TV is no different. I'm still trying to understand how radio as an industry dropped the ball on hardware. Anyone seen a new non-car radio lately? I brought this up years ago ... same problem if not greater today. Radio used to be a necessity. Is the phone really the radios replacement? Who will buy those transmitters?

Don Williams is retiring. His voice is still fantastic. Someone have that man do some Internet concerts ... something! We can not have him silenced! "I Believe in You" ... what a classic ...

Anyone love the Pozo Seco singers with Don in the lead?

Great Pop record ... would pass for Country in 2016!

Then the story of Merle Haggard ... back in the hospital ... can't kick the pneumonia ... please get well, Merle! WILLIE, take him to Hawaii so he can heal!

The Band Perry going pop? They are gone from Big Machine. The Houston Chronicle reports someone called REDONE produced their new music. Anyone paying attention has watched their ever-growing pop leanings. Let's see what happens next!

Anyone in A&R hear Alisan Porter on The Voice? Her "Blue Bayou" was insane. Has the look ... the back story ... obviously the voice.

And on Idol, the Kelly Clarkson "Piece by Piece" is still growing in YouTube views ... 11.5 million views and growing . I went back and watched it again ... a rare TV moment in 2016 ... heart and real emotion...

It is a shame that Idol is going away ... a shame for the young people trying to get a break. But everything runs its course.

Something will come along and take its place. The world loves talent shows ... from Ted Mack to AI ... talent shows will never go away.

The Blake and Gwen show ... a prediction ... as soon as her new album is released, watch that all go dark. The relationship will go on just not in the tabloid .s.. Keeping her in the ET, E!, US, People is important right now ... Her single is going strong. No way to know how this is effecting Blake's ratings ... Blake at the big Vanity Fair Oscar Party in his boots and jeans ... maybe a first!