People Magazine Awards...Seriously?

Awards season for film is beginning in January and we are all looking forward to seeing our favourite films, actors and actresses win awards.

I was watching Saturday Night Live last night and an advertisement for the First Annual People Magazine Awards came on during the commercial break. Although People Magazine has had some very decent human interest articles with real people over the years, it has sadly fallen in with the likes of OK! Magazine and others who post rumors, photos of and personal things about celebrities that have no business being published. They also include situations that occur on and off Reality Television screens.

During this particular commercial, they named some of the categories and I was floored by the fangirl reminiscent titles. Sexiest Actress? Sexiest Actor? Seriously???!!

I am not going to take away the honor of being named Sexiest Man Alive from Chris Hemsworth but I think such an honor is childish. Why not comment on his acting? While he may not entirely be an Oscar contender, he is an excellent actor.

Above all, I am fairly sure that these awards are voted on by fans, so guess what is going to happen? The fangirls and fanboys are going to flood the cables and vote and also fill Facebook and Twitter with links and pleas to vote for Tom Hiddleston or Benedict Cumberbatch for Sexiest Man Alive or Sexiest Actor.

On both of my pages, I will not be allowing multiple postings for the People Magazine Awards asking for votes because I think it is offensive to the actors and actresses involved. They want to be taken seriously for their craft, not for their appearance.

In addition, there are also extremely talented actors and actresses who  may never make those Sexiest lists. Nobody will nominate Steve Buscemi although his work in Coen Brothers films and Boardwalk Empire is amazing. What about Billy Bob Thornton? He is one of the most underrated talented actors out there and he never gets the credit he deserves.

So instead of harping upon appearances, these magazines should be promoting talent and one's ability to morph into their characters. Let the childish ogling and fangirl voting be reserved for Teen Choice Awards or People's Choice awards.

Those who are on the real voting committees for the Academy Awards, the Emmys and Golden Globes do not look at an actor or actress's appearance when they choose a winner. They go by talent. If they choose Benedict Cumberbatch as Best Actor, it's not because he is a sex symbol. If they choose Reese Witherspoon as Best Actress, it's not because she is one of the most beautiful actresses in the industry.

So why should we let two-bit publications create their own awards ceremonies to indulge fangirls and fanboys? It promotes the bad behaviours I have previously described.

How about they leave the honoring to the professionals and quit while they are still ahead?!