MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

DNC 2020: Viewers find speeches boring, say 'it's like watching a 3 am infomercial with zero sex appeal'

'This DNC is so boring like I want 1996 again where everyone was doing the Macarena'

As the Democratic National Convention went virtual for the first time in the party's history because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, viewers were less than impressed with what they saw despite the stellar line-up of speakers, branding the event "boring" and "unwatchable." The Democratic party had decided to scrap the in-person event, which was expected to draw crowds of around 50,000 delegates, journalists, party officials, and more, in exchange for two hours of programming every night from Monday, August 17 to Thursday, August 20. On the last day, Joe Biden is expected to accept the party's presidential nomination in his adopted hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.

Former 'Desperate Housewives' actress Eva Longoria hosted the event from a TV studio in Los Angeles, and the itinerary of August 17 featured speeches from the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama, former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, the brothers of George Floyd, the Black man whose death in police custody sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and racial inequality, and Biden himself.

But while former conventions were almost celebratory and triumphant, this one was muted because of the unique circumstances under which it took place. It didn't help that many of the speeches were pre-recorded, including Biden's conversation with social justice activist Jamira Burley, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, NAACP President Derrick Johnson and Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner.

The lack of excitement did not go unnoticed by viewers, one of whom suggested that watching the convention was like watching an infomercial but with even lesser the sex appeal.

Others were similarly scathing in their assessment of the event and took to social media to complain about how "boring" it had been. "This DNC is so boring like I want 1996 again where everyone was doing the Macarena," one person tweeted, referencing a recently-resurfaced clip where then-First Lady Hillary Clinton could be seen dancing along to the famous song.

"The DNC is so boring that Joe Biden already forgot who the nominee is," another joked.

Viewers also criticized the format with which the event was presented, which they likened to that of an infomercial. "I had to turn off the DNC because it was unwatchable but it was real weird going from commercials for super specific prescription drugs to prerecorded DNC Skype calls where everyone is speaking in the same tone as a Drug ad warning you about the side effects of Otezla," one user wrote.

"I don't have enough cannabis to get through this insipid DNC infomercial," a second user added.

"I desperately want @JoeBiden to win. But does anybody else feel weird and embarrassed by this awkward @DNC infomercial? This show is desperately in need of some @AOC @staceyabrams @MaxineWaters @Oprah energy" a third wrote.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will be speaking on the second night of the convention, as will Acting US Attorney General Sally Yates, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Former Secretary of State John Kerry, Rep Lisa Blunt Rochester, Former President Bill Clinton, and Former Second Lady Dr Jill Biden. Unfortunately, viewers will not only have to tolerate another three days of the DNC but also another four days of the Republican National Convention that is set to take place next week which is also confirmed to be happening virtually.