Whatever Happened to Class?

Can anyone tell me what ever happened to class? While channel surfing the other day, I came across a PBS special featuring highlights from The Andy William Christmas Shows. Here was (is) a classy guy. He was clean cut. The shows reeked with family goodwill. The songs were straightforward, and so were the arrangements. He stood up there and just sang with his wonderful voice. Highlights of the shows included Andy singing with his brothers in simple but beautiful harmony. The sets and production values were as classy as the acts they were supporting.

Of course, the show was part of PBS pledge week, and for $100.00 you could get a CD of the program along with another CD of the best of Andy Williams; songs like Moon River and The Days of Wine and Roses. This was class all the way.

When I look back on the generation of entertainers that ended around 1980, there was one classy act after another. The Rat Pack, with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford epitomized class. Then there was Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. And don’t forget the ladies…names like Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald come to mind. Even the movies were classy, with primo scores that made it on to the pop charts with composers like Elmer Bernstein, Henry Mancini, Lalo Shifrin, and Nelson Riddle.

Is there anyone, or any entertainer today, that could put together a variety show like The Andy Williams Show or the Carol Burnett Show or The Perry Como Show or The Judy Garland Show? I can’t think of one. Last week, NBC tried to bring back a variety show with Rosy O’Donnell. It lasted one night. It was awful. That is an example of what today’s entertainment moguls think is good television, and why NBC is being forced to reduce three hours of original, nightly programming to two. Jay Leno is bailing them out after NBC treated him bad!!!!

Today, America is reduced to the least common denominator. Just look around in a restaurant. People show up to eat in sweat suits. Jeans and T-shirt is America’s Mao suit. Even at my club, we revised the dress code down to allow denim. But we have to vigorously enforce the balance of the code to prevent low riders and inappropriate tops that show off the bulging midriff or may have a skull and cross bones plastered across the front. People may think it is cool. It isn’t cool, it is just plain lazy. One has to make an effort to at least look presentable…and people can’t be bothered. And if anyone tries to dress well, they are looked at with disdain. Who does she think she is? It is no different with the guys.

Forty years from now… what will PBS be playing for its fund raising week? Any entertainer that is a remnant of class is probably over 50. Cher and Madonna come to mind, and folks, that is a stretch. Will the 20-somethings when they are 60-somethings be waxing nostalgic for hip/hop or gangsta rap or a club remix? Are there any 20-something entertainers floating around who can sing a tune without being audio enhanced? I can’t think of one.

My Uncle John, who was born in Rome and served in the British Army in Leningrad during the Russian Revolution, immigrated to the United States when he was 22 years old. He used to put on a suit and tie and sit in his living room listening to Italian opera every Sunday afternoon. Now that was class. Where are the people like him?

Oh well, I think I will just listen to my old Andy Williams albums.

Comments

Anonymous said…
How about your son??? I am a fan of the classics, but you say I have an old soul.
9:15 AM
Keith said…
Great blog post. I totally agree with you. There aren't many classy entertainers today that aren't below 50 years old. I'm a big fan of the entertainers of the 50's and 60's. These were men and women with class and style. They weren't trashy. They dressed nicely. Many times the so-called stars of today dress like they are living on the street. It's such a shame to see things have gone this downhill.
9:10 PM
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