Saturday, October 12, 2024

Madonna Strikes Out at VMA’s, Barely Mentions Aretha Franklin During Self-Absorbed Tribute

Share

Madonna’s self absorbed tribute to Aretha Franklin is the laughing stock of the internet. As now widely documented, Madonna made it all about her — her struggles, her trials and tribulations, her idiotic semi-African Halloween costume.

Are we surprised? Not a bit. It reminded me of Madonna’s documentary about Africa, called “I Am Because We Are.” The film showed no appreciation of the continent, just Madonna’s limited worldview. We dubbed it “We Are Because I Am.”

Madonna and Aretha Franklin have nothing to do with each other. What was the point? Why did MTV, so irrelevant at this point, choose a suburban white girl with a processed voice to honor the Queen of Soul? I’m sure Janet Jackson, out with a big hit– something Madonna hasn’t had in 20 years– was available.

What a shame. I’m sure we can expect better from the American Music Awards on October 9th, and the Grammys, in February. At least we know Madonna will not be invited to Clive Davis’s Madison Square Garden tribute to Aretha on November 14th. Those performers and speakers will be of a higher quality, and real substance.

For a real tribute to Aretha, read Sam Moore in today’s Variety.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

Read more

In Other News