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State of the Union: Boring!
It’s my patriotic duty tonight to watch the State of the Union address — tonight and every single January when the hot air oozes.
I hate it, but I’ll do it. I’m an American citizen, and it’s my job to be informed. Or at least to hear the President’s version of information.
Regardless of who is in office, the State of the Union address is always a bore. It just is.
Maybe it’s the formal setting. The United States Capitol isn’t exactly a comfy place to hear a speech.
Or maybe it’s the complete inability of the Leader of the Free World — no matter who it is — to use the intimacy of the television camera appropriately. Can’t these guys be coached by Oprah?
Or maybe it’s the partisan cheering on one side of the room and chilly silence on the other. Or the standing ovations that aren’t warranted. Or the Vice President, no matter who he is, nodding off in the background. Or the female politicians in blinding red hoping to catch the attention of the President and the TV cameras.
Here’s my solution to this yearly never-ending drone-fest: Let a stand-in deliver the address. The Oscar nominations were announced this morning; the State of the Union address is tonight. Let’s let these two worlds collide.
Casting one of the five best actor nominees would be entertaining for viewers and a fine challenge for the actors.
Any of this year’s nominees would be better than the current occupant of the White House: Philip Seymour Hoffman (“Capote”), Terrence Howard (“Hustle & Flow”), Heath Ledger (“Brokeback Mountain”), Joaquin Phoenix (“Walk the Line”) or David Strathairn (“Good Night, and Good Luck”).
Guess it’s too late this year, but next year maybe Washington and Hollywood will help us out.
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