In 2017, television was more than a mere place were a person can waste a few hours watching a dragon burn the shit out of a Lannister caravan or watching baby Demidogs mature into monsters. It became a place for the surreal to grow and fester.
Thanks to today’s terrifying political climate, where every newscast appears to have zero chill and every Tweet informs us of new monsters lurking behind friendly faces, our pop culture has morphed. Our variety shows have become more relevant than the news, our movies have become two-hour editorials, our music have become monologues about the future and comedians have become politicians.
In between all those changes, there were the occasional glitches in the Matrix that made us all jump.
Here are a few that caused us to run to Tweet, talk or head to Tumblr the next day:
“There’s a mistake…’Moonlight’. You guys won Best Picture.”
Sheer pandemonium at the Oscars as the worst case scenario finally happened. The trusted team of PricewaterhouseCoopers flubbed the envelope hand-off, leading to a comedy off error worthy of a trophy itself. As the drama unfolded, poor Warren Beatty was left holding the bag on the stage, attempting to explain the impossible.
Lynch’s Atomic Bomb
Beautiful. Deadly. Strange. And perhaps the Lynchiest thing that ever Lynched in the history of Lynch.
Everyone was excited for the return of Twin Peaks, but few to anticipate episode eight, “Gotta Light?,” with it’s surrealistic beauty as it attempted to explain both the worst event man ever created AND how Bob was born.
The slow motion look at the detonation of the Trinity bomb coupled with the look of the creation of Laura in the White Lodge by the Fireman AND the introduction of the Woodsman gave audiences a television masterpiece like no other.
Also: The Nine Inch Nails.
Thank you, David.
Lady Liberty falls…sort of
On her Halloween show, Wendy Williams become a walking, talking metaphor when she passed out during a live show while dressed as American icon, the Statue of Liberty.
Shortly before the fall, the hostess began to slur her words before she stumbled.
Luckily, she came back after a short rest and was right as rain.
Paradise lost
Bachelor in Paradise was never what one would call a “think-show”…until it become the center of controversy. When a producer came forth with claims of sexual misconduct between contestants, the network shut down production, a shocking move for the reality money grab.
Every political sketch on Saturday Night Live
From Melissa McCartney driving around New York behind a motorized podium to every scowl delivered by Alec Baldwin’s now legendary Trump, Saturday Night Live has moved beyond the small screen.
The long-running laffer has transcended its realm as a late-night occasional viewing variety show for the happen-to-home or occasional streamer on a Sunday morning to the must-see viral clip smorgasbord on a Monday morning.
This is how America gets its news now.
The Megyn Kelly Shitshow
The former Fox pundit got into a tiff with her colleagues thanks to her clashing views on our President. So she packed her bags and took her conservation views over to NBC’s Today. Unfortunately, she had a bit of a rocky start at the Peacock.
Not rocky as in a few pebbles, but rocky as in an Indiana Jones size boulder chasing her down the hallway while poison darts are being shot at her by the Local 600.
Thus far, her sins have included:
- A cameraman stepped into frame and yelling “Sh*t.”
- Referring to plot points on Will & Grace as “gay things” to the cast
- Pissing off Jane Fonda by asking her questions on plastic surgery
- Celebrities are staying away
- Falling ratings
Attack of the Man Eating Vagina
American Gods was one of the best shows on TV that is probably never going to see a second season. Stuck forever in limbo due to the exit of its showrunners, audiences will be left with a great many questions…and disturbing images.
A scene that truly left its mark on audiences was the image of Bilquis, the Queen of Sheba, the God of Sexual Love, as she consumes her worshippers during sex through her lady parts. As her lover screams out words of adoration, Bilquis grows larger, until she completely absorbs her suitor.
At the end, she looks mildly content, but continues the hunt the next day, bringing her religion and very specific type of love to each person via her dating app. They look for companionship while she looks for food.
Gotta admit: That’s something you don’t see every day.
