CMAs mostly ignore COVID-19 pandemic other than some awkward jokes
The annual Country Music Association Awards Wednesday night seemed a bit off from the get go. The ceremony was held indoors in Nashville, Tennessee, with a slimmed down but live audience, and though the tables were further apart than you’d normally see at an awards show, there were virtually no masks. This despite the fact that Tennessee recently recorded its largest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases, and on top of that, several artists slated to perform at the CMAs were forced to cancel due to positive COVID-19 tests. But despite the obvious elephant in the room, there was little talk of the pandemic other than several social distancing jokes that failed to land.
The Country Music Association found itself in hot water last week after it sent out a tweet that seemed to discourage speakers and performers from getting political. Multiple singers took issue with this and voiced their opposition, causing the CMA to post another tweet clarifying that the phrasing in the original post, which stated it was “a no drama zone,” may not have conveyed the message they had intended. This could explain why co-hosts Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker kept things light and merely danced around the subject of COVID-19. But multiple viewers objected to the way the ceremony was handled, particularly the fact that it was indoors with a live audience and there were very few masks.
Video Transcript
REBA MCINTIRE: Welcome, everybody, to "The CMA Awards."
DARIUS RUCKER: Man, it is really great to be here, y'all.
REBA MCINTIRE: Hey, in 2020, it's great to be anywhere.
KYLIE MAR: "The CMA Awards" were held in Nashville Wednesday night, despite the fact that Tennessee had recently recorded its highest single day increase in COVID-19 cases. And though several performers had to cancel due to positive COVID tests, there was little talk of the pandemic other than some social distancing jokes that failed to land.
DARIUS RUCKER: Oh, my new best friend and Reba's special friend Rex Linn. Hey, Rex. Rex, Rex, always stay six feet away from Carrie Underwood.
REBA MCINTIRE: Uh huh. Uh huh. That's not social distancing, that's Reba rules.
KYLIE MAR: The Country Music Association found itself in hot water last week after it sent a tweet discouraging speakers from getting political. But after a backlash online, some coming from country singers, the CMA issued an explanation saying the phrasing did not convey the message they had intended. This may explain why co-hosts Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker chose to keep it light.
DARIUS RUCKER: You know, Reba, this is my first time hosting "The CMA Awards," but you've been in this rodeo many a times now. Does it feel strange being six feet away from co-host?
REBA MCINTIRE: Darius, no, listen. I hosted with Dolly Parton last year.
DARIUS RUCKER: Oh, the two big reasons to socially distance.
KYLIE MAR: And though McIntyre and Rucker danced around the subject of COVID-19, some viewers took exception to the fact that "The CMA Awards" were held indoors with a live audience and virtually no one wearing a mask. One viewer tweeted, "The question that's hanging over everything tonight at "The CMA Awards," why are none of the artists and guests sitting at the tables wearing masks?"
REBA MCINTIRE: Seriously though, I'd ask you to (SINGING) hold my hand. If that didn't break protocol. You see what I did right there?
DARIUS RUCKER: I see. So I only wanna be with you. Yeah, get it. See what I did right there?
REBA MCINTIRE: Yeah, that's all good.
DARIUS RUCKER: But enough about me. (SINGING) Fancy don't let me down. Over here.
