Roots, Toots n' Hoots Blog

Great job, Ashton Kutcher (not)

Jeffrey Remz  |  April 4, 2012

One of the lowest points of Sunday's Academy of Country Music awards show as the performance or lack thereof by Ashton Kutcher. Call the actor's appearance hokey, embarrassing, insulting.

Kutcher strode on stage wearing a red jacket a la Manuel style and black pants and shirt plus a big belt buckle to give out the Female Vocalist award. He looked out of his element to say the least. He also proved he was not even as good (or is that bad?) as Leonard Nimoy in the singing department with an ultra lame version of George Strait's I Cross My Heart. Listening to him sing was painful. He was not funny either in singing or making like he brought his band out. He just couldn't sing. So, what was the point of allowing him to do so in what is absolutely a very highly choreographed show?

CMT's Alison Bonaguro rose to Kutcher's defense for some reason, writing, "I don't get what everyone's so angry about. Kutcher was there to present, and he did so just fine, even throwing a little bit of Strait's "I Cross My Heart" into his short stint onstage."

Alison, did you not see the same show I did? Just because someone gets up and does a country thing doesn't mean it's good.

Apparently other performers were not so kind. Miranda Lambert tweeted, "Was Ashton Kutcher making fun of country or is it just me? Watching it back now and I'm kinda wondering?"

Justin Moore was a lot tougher. "Seen Ashton kutcher at the acms tonight. What a douche! I don't care for people making a mockery of the way country artists' dress."

Bonaguro also said, "So instead of wondering if Kutcher's intentions were good, let's think about thanking him for telling 10 million people he loves country music."

There's something to be said for that in terms of encouraging country, but still he made a fool out of himself. The real blame ought to go with those who want non-country acts playing such a prominent role in the awards show to drive up ratings and interest. Sorry Alison, there's no defense of bad art as much as you did.