And The Oscar Goes To......

[Deleted]

That is ridiculous. I was disappointed to hear they were not doing song performances. I know that a lot of time they can be lame but they have also given the show some of its most memorable moments. Think of Bjork's song from Dancer In the Dark, the duo from Once, Elliott Smith. Or Three 6 Mafia for sheer WTFery. And you know that The Muppets would have put on an entertaining performance. I thought it was stupid when I thought they were just going to replace it with more boring montages. That they are actually having Cirque du Soleil perform instead is insulting.

E.T.A- Apparently the Muppets will be presenting an award.

[divasahm]

One of my fondest memories of Oscar Best Song performances was Kermit singing "The Rainbow Connection" back in the '80s. *sigh*

[Deleted]

There was a report that came out last week on the demographics of the academy. 94 percent white, 77 percent male, average age 62 and only 2 percent are under the age of 40. Membership is for life. They only allow 30 new members a year so it will be decades if ever before you see any change. I knew the academy skewed old and white male but that is insane.

[huntergrayson]

62 is the *median* age, not the average, which is even more worrisome. I know that they've been adding more young members of late - I think Dakota Fanning was offered membership - but, as you pointed out, with lifetime membership, those demographics are going to stay for a while.

[Mugsy]

How does someone become a member of the Academy? I thought all Oscar winners were automatically members, but I guess that's not true. I also assumed that most A-listers were members, but not true either? What's the requirement for membership? Why would Dakota Fanning be offered membership?

[Deleted]

Especially since her sister Elle is seven bazillion times more talented.

[canuckcutie]

I think you can either be invited either because you were nominated for an Oscar or because of your body of work or you can be sponsored for membership by 2 other academy members.

[Mugsy]

So it's just another old boys club...

[angelaudie]

Generally, if you are nominated for an Oscar you are invited to join the Academy but sometimes even an nomination will get you an invite. Michelle Williams, for example, was nominated for Brokeback Mountain but was not invited to join the Academy. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger were invited though. I think the official excuse was Michelle didn't have a body work that more or less demonstrated she was worthy of such an honor. All I could think, "But Heath does?!" And I'm major Heath fan! I think they were holding Dawson's Creek against her.

[Mugsy]

See, that makes no sense to me. An Oscar nom should be an automatic membership.
They were talking on Canada AM this morning on how to improve the show to up the ratings. A few of their suggestions:
- a young comedian host (Seth Rogan was suggested)
- eliminating all the tech awards
- making it a dinner and drinks thing like the GGs to loosen everyone up
- dividing major categories for drama and comedy, again like the GGs

I agree with a comic host, although it doesn't necessarily have to be someone young, but certainly someone current.
I agree with eliminating the airing of the tech awards. Sorry, I know they're important but it's boring to watch some no-name lighting guy thank his grandchildren.
I think they need to add a Best Acting Ensemble award because many movies don't have one standout performance, but often have an entire group of good performances that add to something great.
Not sure about the drama/comedy split. I do like it at the GGs, but their definition of comedy is sometimes suspect. And then, what about horror or sci-fi? And are musicals comedies or dramas? What if a movie is both? I'm glad they added Best Animated Feature several years ago, although Disney was robbed, as they would have owned that during the '90s in the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King days.
Other suggestions?