George & Tammy is a Showtime eight-episode series that chronicles the turbulent relationship between country music stars George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Its two amazing leads are a powerhouse of actors.
The biopics of both Jessica Chastain, who won an Oscar for her role as Wynette and Michael Shannon, who was nominated for one, are brilliant. Chastain, and Shannon who starred as husband-and-wife in the 2011 Take Shelter indie film, convincingly portray country legends, including singing. George and Tammy also boasts incredible performances from Steve Zahn, Walton Goggins and Kelly McCormack, who plays the heartbroken Sheila Richey.
This limited series will appeal to anyone, even if they don’t know anything about this famous duo. This series is a beautiful, painful reminder of the highs and lows that are part of the trappings associated with fame.
While I enjoyed the series immensely, there was something that really stood out to me: The blatantly double-standard in regards to the legacy of these two country icons compared with Jay Z.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z performing on The O2 in London.(photo by hollaa01 )
George Jones, Tammy Wynette and Jay-Z all followed the same dark road to fame but never got labeled as such.
Why?
There is a difference between the two, but we’ll skip over that momentarily.
Jay-Z, for those who do not know him, is an entrepreneur and successful rapper. Jay-Z is considered to be the first hip hop billionaire. (Yes, there’s more than one). He was also heavily involved with both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns for president. He also shares a dark history with George and Tammy. Jay-Z is said to be a crack dealer, a cocaine addict, and even to have killed his brother. In 1999, he was sentenced for three years probation after stabbing record-maker Lance Rivera.
His dubious past makes him a target of right-wing commentators like Sean Hannity and Tomi Lahren. Jay-Z does not hide his past but despite how much success he has, it seems that he is never allowed to forget.
You’re right. They may have had an rocky past, but George Jones and Tammy Wynette did not throw rocks in Marcy Projects. What did they do, though?
This is a list of crazy but incredibly accurate facts about George Jones, Tammy Wynette and other country music stars:
George, a violent alcoholic, tried to kill his best friend. He terrorized his house by shooting a shotgun at Tammy. (This scene has been softened for the show.) Tammy was stolen from the second husband of Tammy. George would often be too drunk to perform with her on contracted gigs. These dark facts were largely embraced by the country music scene, who dubbed George a bad boy.
Tammy faked her kidnapping, was married five times, and eventually became hopelessly addicted. She had an intravenous catheter installed permanently to help her take painkillers. Drugs caused her to have bile-duct infections, and a severe drop in blood pressure left her comatose. She recovered after several days. Wynette, despite oxygen and IV treatment to relieve her pain continued to abuse drug up to the end of Wynette’s short life. She was only 55.
There are many George and Tammy defenders who would quickly point out the excuses they made for their poor behavior. For example, Tammy faked a kidnapping in order to hide the bruises she had from being beaten by her fifth husband. George’s drinking was the real culprit, as it fuelled his crazy antics, such as riding lawnmowers to bars and attempting murder. And Tammy’s drug addictions stemmed from years of suffering from a botched surgery after giving birth to her Other words, difficult circumstances lead to hard times.
It’s funny that Jay-Z never seems to be able to claim this excuse.
The Showtime show revealed the darker side of George and Tammy. I’m not a big country music fan, and only really knew Wynette from her hit song “Stand by Your Man.” Wynette was also known as “First Lady of Country Music” but she had an encounter with Hillary Clinton, the actual first lady.
Clinton said, in an 60 Minutesinterview in 1992: “I am not sitting here like some small woman who stands by my man as Tammy Wynette.” I sittin’ because I love and respect him, and honor the things he has been through. You know what? If that isn’t enough, then don’t even vote for him!”
Wynette was positively infuriated by the quote, which was a response to recent controversy surrounding Bill Clinton’s alleged affair with Gennifer Flower.
Wynette sent Clinton a letter of anger that included the following: “I resent with all I have in me your caustic comment.” Your statement has made me angry and I will not apologize for it. You have insulted millions of women and men who enjoy that song. I will not allow anyone to humiliate, embarrass and degrade myself on television or in print.
The Showtime Series does not address the Clinton Issue, but it illustrates another example of hypocrisy in how Wynette & Jones are given a free pass when Jay-Z is concerned.
Foxnews.com published an opinion article in December 2022 titled, “Hilary Clinton Owes Tammy Wynette An Apology.” This opinion piece does not mention that Wynette received an apology and agreed to perform at a Bill Clinton benefit, as Hillary requested. Nor do they acknowledge the fact Wynette is dead and has been for more than 24 years. The Clintons also called Wynette a legend when she passed away.
You can’t allow facts to get in the path of an interesting byline.
Jay-Z has visited the White House four times so far. The Fox audience was shocked each time, and Sean Hannity said that Jay-Z’s attendance at a charity fundraiser cost only $40,000, and you would have been rubbing shoulders with the president, and with a rapper, who admitted to shooting his brother and selling crack.
Jay-Z’s bad example is the general consensus. Fox seems to be embracing Kanye west, however.
What George and Tammy have done in the past, I don’t say is good or bad. It would be better to evaluate them in the same manner, whether they are good or bad. Many right-leaning commentators jut their tongues out when they pronounce “thug”, when talking about Jay-Z.
Why shouldn’t George & Tammy receive the same treatment as you? They’ve certainly earned it.
Let me quote DRS and say: “I tip 40 dollars to your memory, George and Tammy. Two artists who died and lived by this thug lifestyle.”
George & Tammy plays on Showtime right now and is really good. It’s worth a look.