All Star Benefit

Paul Simon performs Bridge over Troubled Water on the 9/11 Benefit.

At the beginning of fridays 2 hour, nearly every station, telethon Tom Hanks said "We are not heroes..... We are entertainers." In my opinion there was little entertainment to be found on this telethon.

The show had some great, emotional short stories of heroism told by the likes of Julia Roberts and Robin Williams to name a few. It also featured stars like Jim Carrey and George Clooney poorly saying the lines they were reading from the teleprompter. Between the stories and pitches for money, the television audience had to listen to some of the most downbeat, depressing songs ever performed. I have been more inspired by elevator music than this snooze fest.

The show opened with Bruce Springsteen. Okay Bruce, the entire viewing audience is expecting and hoping you perform the rousing anthem "Born In The USA". But you choose a dark ditty called "City In Ruin." Sure the lyrics are related to the subject, but we want inspiration not depression.

Normally when someone else sings a performers song their is always the curiosity of how bad they will trash it. Mariah Carey showed that it is possible to destroy your own song. She overly emoted every frigging line in "Hero" (normally one of her best songs). I never realized what a ham she really is. Mariah, some times less is more. Let the song speak for itself.

Bon Jovi performed one of my favorite songs of theirs. "Living On A Prayer". A fast paced inspiring song of survival. Nope, not here. They slowed it down to funeral speed and it lost most of its meaning and all of its inspiration.

The one bright spot of entertainment this whole show had came near the end. Celine Dion, back from retirement, accompanied by David Foster on piano and a choir behind her blew the roof off the place with "God Bless America." It was the most uplifting moment the show had. Celine would have made Kate Smith proud.

This show was all for a good cause and by no means am I knocking that. However, as Tom Hanks said at the beginning of the show.."we are entertainers." Then do your jobs as the firemen are doing theirs and the soldiers are doing theirs. Entertain us. Take our minds away from the destruction, if only for a few moments.