Real actors, not people.

Though not particularly funny or creative, Rob Gronkowski, due to diminished standards, has already been ordained a must-have TV presence — from the Kentucky Derby on NBC, to the Times Square ball drop on New Year’s.

Heck, before he was fully declared a retired NFL star tight end, he was on Fox’s payroll to do what he does and is expected to do — mostly act like an unapologetically vulgar, fully grown juvenile delinquent.

So, other than network cross-promotion, what, exactly, did Fox’s producers of its New Year’s Eve show expect when it invited Gronkowski? A viola solo or obligatory mayhem?

So, behaving like a Vince McMahon character, the predeceased kind, he wrecked the set comprised of a cool Lego bust of host Steve Harvey.

He spiked it like a football, shattering it then kicking the shards. He demonstrated no sense that it was a work of art if not a lengthy labor of one.

Harvey, who seemed vaguely unfamiliar with Gronkowski, was instantly spitting mad: “I don’t want to work with him no more! Why is he here? Why are you here? What is wrong with you?”

Come on now, Steve, you know the business. He’s The Gronk! He just stayed in character, performed as per the tacit terms of his Fox Sports engagement.

And the Internet exploded with delighted approval of his live, on-air vandalism from legions of the TV-desensitized.

Everyone loves The Gronk! At least everyone in the TV business whose goal is to attract the greatest and growing number of dimwits.

This happened a lot in 2019, from the Super Bowl halftime assigned to edited-for-vulgarities rappers, to the University of Kansas’ last-to-know, too-late realization that in inviting X-rated Snoop Dogg to perform his women-degrading act at a basketball event was a bad idea. KU apologized, as if it had been surprised, ambushed.

Just before Christmas, former NHL star and current NBC analyst Jeremy Roenick, also hired as much for his wise-guy “irreverence” as his hockey skills and knowledge, was suspended after he spoke on a podcast of hoping for a sexual “threesome” that included NBC studio co-host Kathryn Tappen.

Suspension? But wasn’t such irreverence why NBC was drawn to Roenick?

The list of those who went too far after being hired to go too far is endless, from Don Imus to Warren Sapp. There are no better ideas, no better plans to elevate one network from the others.

And only a very privileged few — a Charles Barkley — are allowed a free pass. Roger Goodell wouldn’t dare repeat Jay-Z’s N-worded, vulgar, women-objectifying lyrics in public, yet Goodell hired him as the NFL’s Minister of Social Justice.

And in 2020, too many of those who know right from wrong will continue to exercise their right to remain silent.

Isles broadcast doesn’t hide behind ‘rules’

How do you prefer the truth? Gilded and cushioned with awkward explanations that explain nothing? Or the rare kind, spoken flatly, clearly, with confidence and knowledge?

Of all places, the latter was heard on an MSG Network Islanders telecast on New Year’s Eve at Washington. After the Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov scored, play-by-play man Brendan Burke, son of Post colleague Don Burke, plainly laid it out:

“Kuznetsov did not play in the first game between these teams in early October, as he was suspended for the first three games of the year for, quote, ‘Inappropriate conduct.’

“That conduct was not only for testing positive for cocaine, but for lying to the NHL about it.”

To think Burke could’ve done what most do, leave it vague with “suspended for violation of league rules.”

Hard truths remain closely guarded on sports broadcasts.

Fox’s Thom Brennaman recently asked us to put Redskins running back Adrian Peterson’s career “in perspective” as an all-time great. He based this on total rushing yards.

OK, but the perspective worth adding was that Peterson lost nearly an entire season to a suspension for having beaten his 4-year-old son raw, to which he copped a plea.

Odd, what makes nightly highlights reels and what doesn’t. Something I’m certain was never before seen occurred in Dec. 21’s Ducks-Islanders. Yet, a candidate for Highlight of the Year didn’t even make the nightly cut.

The puck, contested in a corner, flipped into the air then disappeared. Heads pivoted, eyes searched. No one could find it.

Then ref Francis Charron reached into his pocket and with a thin, magician’s smile produced the puck. It had landed directly and softly in his pocket.

Clyde Frazier, New Year’s Day in the Garden, took a good, nostalgic shot at Carmelo Anthony as his Trail Blazers were hammered by the Knicks. With seven minutes left, he said of Anthony, “Still doesn’t have an assist, folks.” In 31-plus minutes Anthony finished with zero assists.

Eli ain’t finished earning

Like Derek Jeter, Eli Manning must be starving to death. On Jan. 14, his Steiner and Fanatics collectibles business partners will hold an “Evening With Eli Manning” at a Manhattan hotel.

For $1,250 per two tickets and dinner, his wealthiest fans can pose with him for pictures while Manning can wish them a sincere, straight-from-the-wallet farewell.

Manning, over 14 NFL seasons, made a reported $253 million in salary — the most in NFL history — plus many millions more in endorsements and autographed items, real and alleged.

I don’t get it. If anyone knows why Bart Scott is in such two-station New York sports radio demand, I’m open to suggestions.

Game of the Week: New Mexico State 104, Northern New Mexico 30. The winners took 39 3-pointers, made 15 steals.

They’re All the Same Graphic of the Week: Oklahoma, in its first possession against LSU, had a third-and-17 when ESPN enlightened us with the data that “OU’s 51 percent on third down is fifth in the nation.” OU punted after the next play.

You knew a tough, exclusive interview was coming for Ezekiel Elliott when NFL Network’s Michael Irvin began it with a giant bear hug.

It’s far too late for ESPN lead college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit. He has been abducted by invaders from the planet Mayockia, unable to ever again speak plain, clear football.

The death of ex-Bengals coach Sam Wyche brings to mind ex-Giants defensive back Beasley Reece — who, as an NFL TV game analyst, claimed to have picked Wyche’s brain while dining with him the night before that game. Wyche later said he has never dined with Reece.

Last Sunday, during Eagles-Giants, Fox three times in slow motion displayed the same Eagles player immodestly flexing his muscles. Why? Because football networks actually believe that this is what we love about football.

Still not sure why pro athletes are immune from the flu, why they only suffer from “flu-like symptoms.” Do they get headache-like symptoms?