And the Oscar for Most Boring Oscar Show goes to….
Yep, you got it–the 2010 telecast! How could it be that, in a year of such remarkable–and remarkably diverse–movies, the producers could dull it down to such tedious depths?
When I read that the show would not include (often embarrassing, often amusing) Best Song performances, I thought, hey, fewer laughs but at least the awards will speed along.
So why am I watching an interpretive dance?
And how about those co-hosts? The Steve Martin-Alec Baldwin pairing had its moments (“Damn Helen Mirren!”…”It’s Dame Helen Mirren”), but nothing to match Billy Crystal, or even Martin solo. In fact, the funniest lines–maybe just for writers–came during the dead-panned, Tina Fey/Robert Downey Best Screenplay banter about actors’ changes to scripted words. And the most moving moment came during Geoffrey Fletcher’s acceptance for Best Adapted Screenplay for “Precious.” Looking stunned to have won–though he certainly deserved it–Fletcher thanked “all the precious boys and girls.”
Lauren Bacall was honored, but not allowed to speak (some Lifetime Achievement, that!)…James Taylor sang a Beatles song (???} as the faces of this year’s deceased rolled past. Usually, this tribute to the movie lives lost is affecting; this year, it seemed harried and bogus.
At 11:06, only two of the major awards had been given.
By 11:25, we were hearing cringe-worthy tributes to the Best Actor nominees–are they dead yet? This would be fine for a high school reunion, or some sort of backwater industry event, but it’s long-winded and unnecessary here; if you’re watching, chances are you’re familiar with a few of these guys’ films. (Though I did get a chuckle out of Tim Robbins’ memories of his “Shawshank Redemption” co-star Morgan Freeman telling him, “A friend is somebody who gets you a cup of coffee. Would you get that for me, Ted?”)
Jeff Bridges, God bless him, managed to be endearing, basically giving the same family-praising speech he offered four or more times before (in this endless awards season, he had already picked up Best Actor statues from the Golden Globes, SAG, the New York Film Critics and Los Angeles Film Critics). Meanwhile, in the audience, Morgan Freeman looked way pissed–but then who didn’t? It was an A-List convention of sourpusses, all clustered together in the first rows.
I don’t know if Oprah was all Spanx-ed up, but she looked fabulous. And she gave a lovely tribute to Gabby Sidibe, the college kid who skipped class to audition for the lead in “Precious.”
Sandra Bullock also sparkled, for those of us still awake. She gave a funny, sincere speech, acknowledging all other nominees. And her words to her late mother were heart-wrenching and inspiring. (Also tearful, despite her earlier confession to Barbara Walters that her mother would have scoffed at an acceptance speech with tears.)
Best Director Award was given by Barbra Streisand, who appeared to have a bad case of laryngitis. But she redeemed herself with the line, “Well, the time has come,” announcing Kathryn Bigelow. (YESSS!)
WOW–”The Hurt Locker” won Best Picture. Go, Kathryn! I enjoyed “Avatar,” but let’s hear it for the Academy honoring emotional power.
So here’s the problem: Almost all the best moments came in the last half hour. And since this is not a new occurence, why can’t the producers figure out the timing? This show should be 90-120 minutes tops.
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What happened at the end of that trainwreck? Bigelow wins, and maybe I’m wrong but did they start the music at the end of her first acceptance speech? It seemed to have been so poorly directed that I was extremely anxious throughout the broadcast as if I drank a couple o’ dozen lattes’. Tom Hanks didn’t seem to have even announced the nominations just reading Bigelow’s name as she was walking away from the first one. The second speech by the producers and Bigelow was an absolute train wreck. Absolutely unacceptable. Every award in history is a click away at you tube. Have you ever seen a winner so pressured to shut up and leave? Tom Hanks was flabbergasted but managed to snap off a few quick one’s. Talk about keeping your head about you when all others have lost theirs. Susan, it seems your the only blogger I can find who called it like you saw it. It was a bad year altogether. C,mon, Sandra Bullock? History will be the judge. BTW, who won for best short? The LOGO short was absolutely amazing.
BTW Susan, I think you meant to say Tim Robbins not Tim Roberts. Maybe you were thinking of Robbins in Bob Roberts?
Or maybe I was brain-dead by the end! Thanks–I corrected it.
In response to another comment. See in context »The whole show just had a strange vibe. There were cutaways of celebs looking totally dour and bored. Mostly boring acceptance speeches. It just sort of plodded along. I think the Neil Patrick Harris number at the very top was just weak. It had potential, but fell as flat as the rest of the show (and it pains me to say that since I’m still crushing on NPH).
A wasted opportunity. They need to get JJ Abrams or McG to produce and direct the Oscars next year.
Suan is right the show was a bore. I drifted off more than once. I didn’t even bother to pause the DVR when I walked the dog. Tuxes and beautiful gowns aside, Today’s Hollywood has lost its glamor and class. On more than one occasion the camera cut to “stars” in the audience only to reveal them chomping on chewing gum like school children in the bleechers at Yankee Stadium. Very disappointing.
They were probably chewing gum to stay awake.
In response to another comment. See in context »The Oscars is “some sort of industry event.”
You’re right–the biggest one out there, I guess. But I suppose I think of it in grander terms because the whole world is watching.
In response to another comment. See in context »Has anyone commented on or explained who that damn woman was who jumped up on-stage and cut into the acceptance speech for the Precious screenwriter’s award? Really, really bizarre moment.
There were a lot of dour faces in the crowd, weren’t there?
I have no idea who she was! But it was a real SNL moment! (Was it for screenwriter speech–or something else? )
In response to another comment. See in context »I know! What the hell was up with that!? The poor guy whose speech she totally destroyed…
In response to another comment. See in context »Been watching these shows for years — even attended a couple of them (that is truly boring). This was, without question, the poorest broadcast I can remember for an awards show. It was flat…listless…awful. I really had wondered why the Academy picked Bill Mechanic to produce this year as he too is flat, listless…. Adam Shenkman made some sense and let me to believe there would be a lot of production numbers which can spice up a show. There was only one, and all the kids I was watching with were laughing at it.
Yes, Sarah Jessica Parker gets the award for Best/Worst Gum Chewer. I’m thinking maybe she’s trying to quit smoking? As far as that weird, bizarre on-stage moment … here’s an explanation from salon.com below. It was an odd evening/show, very disjointed. With all the talent out there, I’m always surprised when it’s such a dud. Makes “The Bachelor” look exciting!
http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/2010/03/07/music_by_prudence_burkett
Thanks for the link–it’s priceless! I love the mother tripping her with her cane!
In response to another comment. See in context »I liked Steve and Alec, but I just like Alec. That voice. I know I shouldn’t but I do. I spent the duller moment wondering what the very dour George Clooney and his incredibly p.o.-ed looking girlfriend were in a snit about. All the money, all those looks and still miserable as heck. Ah life.
Maria, I noticed the pissed off girlfriend, too. She was even in foul humor on the red carpet. But then, George said she doesn’t speak English. Do you think that’s true? Or one of his jokes? (Not that not speaking English would per se put you in a bad mood…quite the contrary at this event, perhaps.)
In response to another comment. See in context »The Academy really really really really needs a new approach to this awful show. They need new blood. They need to hire Spike Jonze or McG or somebody to revamp the whole freaking concept. It’s so so so tired, with one floundering host, or hosts, reading poorly-scripted never funny bits that by now are so common that their anticipated non-reaction seems to almost be written in for good measure. The only reason I watched was ’cause I had ten bucks riding on it (which I lost, but not because I didn’t pick Hurt and Bigelow to win). Alcohol helps.
I agree with you completely. But I wanted to add one correction – this was Jeff Bridges’ first Oscar (he has been nominated five times but never won). He’s been nominated for the past 40 years…
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jVwhHD9X5Bn-kfye50-EQjAYOMawD9EA8VEG1
Hi, Denise–yes, I know it’s his first Oscar win. I meant fifth time out accepting a award this season (I’m guessing at that–Golden Globe, SAG, NY Film critics, LA Film critics awards for Best Actor, then the Oscar would be his fifth time onstage accepting. Possibly, he has picked up a few more statues this year!)
In response to another comment. See in context »Hey Susan, I’m pretty sure it was Jeff Bridge’s 5th nomination, but actually his 1st win.
Yes, you are right re Oscars, as explained above–but I meant fifth award win this season. Will try to go back into the story and clarify!
In response to another comment. See in context »