ABC is still obsessed with potential boycotts at the Super Bowl and the treatment of Colin Kaepernick. The day after the NFL officially announced that Maroon 5 and others would be performing, Good Morning America offered a full report, hyping opposition by liberal actress Amy Schumer. In contrast, CBS allowed just 30 seconds on the topic and NBC focused simply on this past weekend’s results.
GMA reporter Janai Norman began, “Headlining the Super Bowl was thought to be a huge honor. But it's been a tough spot to fill. Many artists distancing themselves from the big show in support of Colin Kaepernick and other players taking a knee to protest racial injustice.”
She underlined, “Maroon 5 had been the unofficial pick for months, but reportedly struggled to find guest performers partly due to backlash over the NFL's handling of Colin Kaepernick and players' right to protest.”
Norman reminded that far-left actress Schumer “[called] out Maroon 5 in an Instagram post saying, ‘I think it would be cool if Maroon 5 backed out of Super Bowl. Stand up for your brothers and sisters of color.’”
This is bordering on obsession for ABC. On December 17, GMA reporter T. J. Holmes echoed Norman, needling, “Amy Schumer even refused to do a Super Bowl ad citing the Colin Kaepernick controversy. And also, keep in mind, guys, that the artists don't get paid to perform at the Super Bowl.”
On October 21, GMA’s Eva Pilgrim hyped, “Amy Schumer is sidelining her jokes and getting serious. The comedian saying she won't profit by appearing in any Super Bowl commercials this year and she takes aim at the NFL.”
Okay, we get it. Amy Schumer is against this. Does America care?
CBS This Morning on Monday mentioned briefly the half time issue, but gave it only 30 seconds. Co-host Norah O’Donnell explained, “Several other artists declined to preform, saying they support Colin Kaepernick and others who have protested racial injustice during the national anthem.” The Today show focused on the results of Sunday’s divisional round games.
The Super Bowl will be on CBS this year.
A transcript of the GMA segment is below. Click “expand” to read more:
Good Morning America
1/14/18
7:15:01 to 7:16:55GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: And we’re also learning who will take the stage for the half time show in the Super Bowl, Maroon 5. Two other performers as well. Janai Norman here with all the details. And Janai, this half time show wasn’t easy to pull together.
JANAI NORMAN: Right. Good morning. So, headlining the Super Bowl was thought to be a huge honor. But it's been a tough spot to fill. Many artists distancing themselves from the big show in support of Colin Kaepernick and other players taking a knee to protest racial injustice.
It’s official. This year’s Super Bowl half time show has finally found a headliner. Maroon 5 had been the unofficial pick for months, but reportedly struggled to find guest performers partly due to backlash over the NFL's handling of Colin Kaepernick and players' right to protest. Rihanna reportedly turned down the offer to perform, deciding to stand in solidarity with the former 49ers quarterback turned free agent. Comedian Amy Schumer announced she wouldn't appear in any Super Bowl ads this year.
AMY SCHUMER: [Clip from her last ad]: My fellow Americans, they say we are a nation divided.
NORMAN: And in October, even calling out Maroon 5 in an Instagram post saying, “I think it would be cool if Maroon 5 backed out of Super Bowl. Stand up for your brothers and sisters of color.’ Overnight, NFL posting this promo on Instagram, announcing rappers Travis Scott and Big Boi will join Adam Levine company on stage. And even with those acts announced, the NAACP is asking those performers to reconsider participating. Travis Scott reportedly only agreed to participate if the NFL agreed to donate to a social justice fighting —
ROBIN ROBERTS: Dreamcore.
NORMAN: Yes, Dreamcore. So, it seems like he found kind of a happy medium there.
