Friday, June 28, 2019

Another Reality TV-esque Presidential Election Begins

Have we learned nothing since 2016? Sonia Saraiya isn’t sure. In her consideration of this week’s Democratic primary debates, Vanity Fair’s TV critic focuses on the sense of déjà vu that struck her while watching a crowded stage of presidential hopefuls jockeying for airtime: “The process was similar—perhaps even identical—to the first episode of a reality competition show,” she writes. “The screen was crowded with manicured wannabes hoping to make an impression. Some were even familiar from previous seasons: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and, for New Yorkers, Bill de Blasio. And all exuded the uncanny impression of being heavily screen-tested—deploying rehearsed lines with stern facial expressions, auditioning for the role of your president.” Given that atmosphere, it’s no surprise that Thursday’s proceedings were “won” by the two candidates who seemed the most camera-ready: Kamala Harris and, unbelievably enough, self-help guru Marianne Williamson, who had very low name recognition going into the debate. “More than a debate, the last two nights have been a casting call,” Saraiya concludes. “If only on-camera charisma were all it took to be president.”
Elsewhere in HWD, the Little Gold Men podcast team discusses their favorite films and TV series of the year so far; Laura Bradley runs down how late night covered last night’s debates; contributor Lisa Liebman gets The Loudest Voice’s makeup artist to spill on how he transformed Russell Crowe into Roger Ailes; and Nick Bilton chats with Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani.