Staff Reports
In another eye-rolling episode of what passes for news these days, the folks over at MSNBC might have just outdone themselves in the cringe department. It appears that the network has taken it upon themselves to blend entertainment with their so-called journalism. But hey, who needs hard-hitting news when you can have celebrity sing-alongs, right? This time, it was the actor Jeff Daniels who managed to snag the spotlight—not by giving some groundbreaking insight, but by picking up his guitar and serenading viewers with a folk tune. Yes, you read that right, a folk song on live television during what was supposed to be a serious news segment.
In a bizarre twist, Daniels decided to share his heartfelt woes about the state of the world and, of course, the ever-popular topic on the liberal circuit: Trump’s America. He strummed his guitar and sang about the “crazy world” we live in, aiming to tug at the heartstrings. Now, if this were a campfire setting, it might have played out differently. But on national news? One can’t help but marvel at this odd attempt to mix music with media—like trying to serve a gourmet dish at a burger joint.
The song, mind you, wasn’t utterly atrocious. In fact, it had a certain folksy charm to it, the sort that could entertain a small group of friends on a cool evening. But let’s not forget where this took place. This was not some coffeehouse open mic but a network that’s supposed to inform the public. It’s quite the head-scratcher trying to figure out how this piece of theater fits into the realm of journalism. Watching an anchor nod along while trying to keep a straight face was just the cherry on top.
But behind the serenade lies the real crux of the matter: Daniels’ apparent need to craft this melody because he’s so distraught over Trump’s presidency. One must ask how exactly did this well-off celebrity become so affected? Daniels, living comfortably in his Hollywood bubble, laments an America he only seems to experience in headlines. It’s as if he expects sympathy for enduring a presidency while comfortably padded by fame and fortune. Meanwhile, many Americans are concerned with putting food on the table, not writing songs about their political discontent.
The truth is, celebrities have the luxury of turning their political dissatisfaction into stunts like this, with little regard for how disconnected it appears from everyday American struggles. Sure, everyone can point fingers at the things they dislike about any administration, but laying life’s woes at one man’s feet, and doing so during a news segment, borders on melodrama. If MSNBC was aiming for a viral moment, it may have succeeded, but in terms of credibility and content, it seems they’re playing in the wrong key.
