Carrie Underwood

Nashville soars; Hollywood snores?

On Sunday (April 18), Nashville reminded us of something important: An award show — shown here with Carrie Underwood and CeCe Winans — can be very good.
A week later, Hollywood may remind us of the flip side: Awards can be truly, terribly awful.
These shows used to be partly built on the fun of seeing celebrities being themselves (or, perhaps, prettier versions of themselves). They said things that were funny or fumbling or emotional or whatever.
But all of that has changed lately. They recite names; they thank managers and agents and, worse, “my team.” They are dull; the show can only be saved with humor and/or music. So what will the Oscars do, from 8-11 p.m. ET April 25? It is banishing humor — no host, no funny presenters (so far) — and music; the five nominated songs will be wedged into the preview at 6:30 p.m., lest entertainment take any time away from droning speeches. Read more…

Carrie, Dolly, Reba, more: Country women rise

For generations, the women in country music songs have been cheated and mistreated or just ignored until closing time at the bar.
Some have had revenge. Some have shrugged it off because, in Tammy Wynette’s words, “after all, he’s just a man.”
But now they (sometimes) have their day. Just announced is this year’s plan for the Country Music Association awards, Nov. 13: Carrie Underwood (shown here) will host, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton will be special guests and the night will celebrate the women of country music. Read more…