First, I refuse to buy into the parent “outrage” over their precious children witnessing such an “outrageous” display. Hello? It’s MTV. It’s what they do – it’s their flippin’ business model. Second, if you’re one of those people who still thinks MTV is a music video channel… let me enlighten you. Here’s a sample of MTV’s programming lineup: 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom, Real World, Engaged and Underage, Jersey Shore, Lingerie Football League, and, of course, Snookie and Jwoww. There’s plenty more, but that gives you the idea. So, I’m not going to waste my time over parents who were shocked by a show on MTV.
Back to the Miley incident… (If you haven’t seen the VMA video, here it is.)
I am not disgusted or outraged by her performance. I am embarrassed for her. Yes, it is extremely painful to watch. It is tasteless. I couldn’t stop cringing. But the idea that Miley Cyrus’ performance on Video Music Awards (VMA) was only about Miley Cyrus is unfair. That performance was rehearsed (probably too many time to count) with tons of people watching. It was obviously approved by her agent, MTV producers, etc.
Yes, Miley Cyrus is trying to change her Hannah Montana persona (we’ve seen this before), but to pretend her exploitation began a few nights ago is absurd. This young woman has been exploited, by her family, for most of her young life. G-rated exploitation is just as disturbing as R-rated exploitation – we’re just more comfortable with it. Hannah Montana was cute, quirky and funny, and we applied those traits to Miley Cyrus. And there’s a part of me that views her VMA performance as the sway of the pendulum.
So no, I’m not outraged. I feel badly for her. I feel embarrassed for her. But, hey, she may be just fine with this. After all, she’s getting attention, and to celebrities that’s what it’s all about. So what do I know?
But I do have one other question… While everyone (and I do mean everyone. Go online or turn on your TV if you don’t believe me) is questioning Miley Cyrus’ behavior and risque performance I haven’t heard a word about 36 year old Robin Thicke’s participation. (Fortunately, I escaped exposure to his summer hit, so I am late to this game.)
Why isn’t Robin Thicke’s participation criticized? This was obviously a choreographed performance, and yet, I haven’t heard one word of outrage concerning Thicke – a man whose summer hit “Blurred Lines” features an extremely NSFW video with topless women in flesh colored thongs prancing around fully clothed men. A song whose lyrics consistently repeat the phrase “You know you want it” and have lines such as “So hit me up when you passing through, I’ll give you something big enough to tear your ass in two”.
Charming. And when I read through Robin Thicke’s lyrics for Blurred Lines, I can’t help but shake my head and wonder (again) why consent is a blurred line. And no, I’m not calling for censorship, but I am wondering why all the outrage is only heading in one direction. (Yeah, I know the answer.)