Rueben's Ramblings

This year, unlike any other – for 100 years anyway – has been extremely difficult because we – all of us, in every country on the planet – have faced a fierce and unfailing foe: COVID-19.

This horrible virus has caused the, quite honestly, needless deaths of over 315,000 Americans (with the number growing exponentially each day over the last couple weeks), unemployment levels are at an all-time high and all the other collected stats throughout the United States (and the world) are staggering to say the least.

In the middle of March everything came to a grinding halt in the US. Businesses closed down, the country went into lockdown and we all started on this “journey” into disinfecting, wearing masks, learning about social distancing, washing our hands and everything else that came with this worldwide pandemic; including the shut down of nearly all productions in the US, little to no movie theatres being open, restaurants (and every other business) struggling to stay open – when it has been safe to do so – and so much more.

Needless to say, it’s been an extremely stressful and excruciatingly cruel year for everyone. Beyond the virus, there have been some other horrible occurrences in the weather ranging from wildfires in Australia, tornadoes in the South, unprecedented tropical storms, intense heat waves on both coasts of the US and horrific fires throughout the Pacific West.

There were also public scandals like Harvey Weinstein FINALLY being found guilty of rape and sexual assault. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison for sex crimes, effectively putting the 67-year-old behind bars for the rest of his life. There was also the conviction of NVIXM cult leader Keith Raniere who was sentenced to 120 years in prison. Now we just have to wait to learn what will happen to Raniere’s right-hand woman – disgraced Smallville actress Allison Mack. But, thank you, God, these two despicable men have been put behind bars!!

Also upsetting was the fact that near the end of November, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who shoot and killed non-violent protesters in Wisconsin [crossing state lines with an AR-15 assault rifle, keep in mind] was able to post a $2 million bail; and some of that money reportedly came from right-wing supporters Mike Lindell, the founder of MyPillow, Inc., and former Silver Spoons actor Ricky Schroder. This basically makes Ricky Schroder the Kirk Cameron of Scott Baios (as has become the joke on social media). For shame you men, for shame!!

Then there was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping back as senior members of the Royal Family, basically losing, or more to the point, giving up their titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex in an effort to be financially independent, and moving to Los Angeles to live.

There was also that devastating explosion in Beirut, Lebanon where 2 ½ thousand pounds of chemicals went off, rocking that city; as well as the downing of a Ukranian jet by Iran (they took credit for it too – damn bastards!); and the continued (and needless) murders of people of color all over the country that led to countless protests all over the globe.

And then there is the state of politics in the United States. Americans have that orange-faced baboon in the White House, who has decimated our country, making us a laughing stock all over the globe and clearly proving that he is a racist, egotistical megalomaniac with the ego the size of Texas. He was defeated – DEFEATED!!! – in the 2020 Presidential election by Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris. It’s even worse that the soon to be “dethroned dictator” still hasn’t conceded that he lost; he has hosted Christmas parties where most of the attendees DO NOT have masks on; he isn’t really addressing the critical state of the entire country with the rapidly increasing pandemic numbers; and he seems more interesting in playing golf than doing his damn job! It’s deplorable!!!

The result of the election is one of the few shining moments out of the entire year. Please allow the fantastic artwork included in this post to brighten your day and provide a complete “laugh your ass off” moment.

Needless to say, it’s been a grim year, and while two vaccines are now being sent out – mainly to front-line workers and those in senior living facilities – the new year is still going to be a bit bleak, as it’s going to take time to get vaccines out to every single person in the country (let alone to all those suffering all over the globe).

All that being said, we all have to look for the little glimmers of hope, the little things that make us smile, laugh and feel good.

So with all of that in mind, over the course of the next 9 days, starting tomorrow, I will focus on the best and the worst of 2020 in the worlds of TV and movies, TV ratings and so much more.

NOTE: I apologize in advance for any omissions, spelling errors or oversights I might have made, but I definitely don’t apologize for any choices I have made.

TOMORROW: TV Highlights