And The Winner Is…

I watched the Oscars tonight and I couldn’t help but notice between the awkward camera shots, the annoying commentary and the haughty self-importance how unpolished Hollywood’s biggest show is. There were a few bright spots–Ben Stiller’s floating head, Reese Witherspoon’s southern charm and Lily Tomlin and Merrill Streep’s ad-libbing–but overall it was far too boring to be television’s second most watched event. The commercials were good, especially the AmEx one with Shayamalan in a diner–probably the best I’ve seen in a long time.

And did anyone notice how preachy it all was? There were far too many rap-you-on-the-knuckle comments (i.e. the poorly phrased “try watching THAT on your portable DVD… *awkward laugh*” moment?) about how going to a movie theater is tantamount to social service and that you can’t watch epics on DVD. Then pile on that all the “we’re your conscience, America” sentiments that oozed from the mouths of the self-proclaimed mavericks, speaking on behalf of all the “gay mens and womens” or the “pimps and witches”. One recipient said that Hollywood was not a mirror to reflect but a hammer to shape. Well, so much for realism. Speaking of mavericks, did anyone see Mel Gibson or Bruce Willis there?