Lame Boston Pops Show

Last night we wanted to hear some good music and watch a good fireworks show, so we tuned into the Boston Pops July 4th show on CBS. What a lame piece of crap most of that was.

First of all, the Pops didn't do hardly anything on the hourlong show. They opened with the 1812 Overture, complete with live cannon as they always do, later did John Williams Olympic theme, and of course did Stars and Stripes Forever. Their solo parts of the show were fine.

However, CBS thinks nobody will tune in to see the Pops perform unless they add some "stars" to the show. That's how we were stuck with Dr. Phil and his wife as hosts, and "musical" guests Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from Aerosmith. What a waste of oxygen they all turned out to be.

Dr. Phil decided he had to scream his lines all night, and his wife can't read a teleprompter. Tyler and Perry did their usual rock star stuff, accompanied by the Pops. As I've said before, you can put lipstick on a hog, but no matter what, it's still a pig. The Pops didn't make Tyler and Perry respectable.

When I tune in to a July 4th show, I expect to hear patriotic music, not some aging rock star prancing around screaming "Walk This Way!!!!!!", let alone see the Pops musical director Keith Lockhart joining in with the screaming. I almost feel like I did a couple of years ago when I went to a Christmas Eve service and heard a bunch of non-Christmas songs. I have to wonder what the organizers were thinking.

The fireworks show was outstanding, and had some interesting new shells that I haven't seen before. It must be quite a sight to see in person. I just wished they used the Pops more, since it is their show and they're quite capable of entertaining the crowd without the idiotic hosts and guests.

Next year, CBS, how about letting the Pops play and leaving the dummies off the stage?