NAfter the inauguration ceremonies of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had to be held largely without a direct audience due to the coronavirus epidemic and the intense security measures after the storming of the Capitol two weeks ago, the administration was welcomed with a party on TV instead.
Prominent artists were already present when Biden and Harris were sworn in – Lady Gaga sang the national anthem and Jennifer Lopez performed “This Land is Your Land” and declared a pledge of loyalty in Spanish: “One nation, in the shade of God, inseparable, with freedom and justice for all.” Country singer Garth Brooks finally chanted “Amazing Grace” and not only asked the attendees, but also the audience at home to sing together.
A set of superstar skins
In the evening, this was followed by a virtual party that replaced the traditional ball to install the new president and vice president. The event was broadcast by leading TV channels such as ABC, PBS, CBS, CNN, NBC and MSNBC, but the celebrations can also be followed on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and other platforms. Actor Tom Hanks led the program from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But while the setting hints at seriousness and charisma, the show stunned as a stage set of static pieces of star appearances and short videos of soldiers, doctors, and ordinary people saluting the new president.
In addition to Hanks, other stars such as Eva Longoria, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake and Jon Bon Jovi also honored the event. But instead of a joyful celebration, as is customary by newly elected presidents of America, a stunningly conscious PR video clip is revealed here, in which the boundaries between celebration and political message merge.
Unlike the restricted ceremony at which Biden and Harris were sworn in, this looked like a humble propaganda video. The organizers knew, among all things, that the political stars – Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Barack Obama addressed the electorate in a short segment – little more than illuminating the silhouettes. There was a short scene from the International Space Station where four astronauts congratulated Biden – there was no broader classification for any of this. Native Americans, the disabled, and other marginalized groups are supposed to show reverence in seconds without actually involving them. Violinist Yo-Yo Ma played Amazing Grace, but this production was not given any context and remained a staple in a major promotional event for Joe Biden.
Alone on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial: Tom Hanks leads us through the evening.
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Bild: AP
Toward the end of the party, Joe and Jill Biden are spotted on the balcony, marveling at the fireworks. But here, too, the connection remained unclear – was this a direct sequence? Are Kamala Harris and Joe Biden’s speeches pre-recorded?
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, a production by Kirshner Events, which organized, among other things, the Democratic Nominating Party convention last year as well as several Superbowl events, has been in progress for a month. The post-production SIM company was responsible for the global broadcast event, among other things „One world: together at home„ She will also be doing post-production work for this year’s Oscars. But it is precisely in the aftermath of the Trump administration, where facts have always been negotiable, that programmatic adulation of a government just installed seemed strange. One might hope to gauge the sense of the Biden government’s mission against reality every now and then.
