The unique perspective and provocative opinions of Joe O’Neill
Media Matters
To no one’s surprise, the 2020 virtual political conventions attracted fewer television viewers than the 2016 version. But one set of new-normal numbers still stands out—at least from the ego-driven perspective of Donald Trump. According to Nielsen TV ratings, Trump’s 70-minute, White House-backdropped, acceptance speech to a live, tightly-packed and largely unmasked crowd of more than 1,000 was seen by about 23.8 million live viewers. Joe Biden’s virtual version was seen by 24.6 million viewers.
“I’ve seen better cabinets at Ikea.” Still a favorite anti-Trump, Women’s March sign.
For fans of the 1980s high school-hoops classic, “Hoosiers,” how disappointing to see “The Way Back,” the Ben Affleck-starring version of the feel-good, underdog genre. “Hoosiers” featured Gene Hackman as a coach with a problematic past and Dennis Hopper as the town drunk. “The Way Back” Affleck character awkwardly combines them both. “The Way Back,” an exercise in languor and clichés, pales. Even during a feel-bad pandemic.