Yes dear readers, last night's Oscar telecast was finally, at long last FINALLY, the very show it has desperately needed to be for eons, one that was legitimately entertaining, considerably faster paced, and surprisingly and honestly funny from one end of the show to the other and for that achievement, which is no small feat, we must thank our wonderful hostess Ellen DeGeneres.
I have no idea of what it is that has made the act of ensuring the Academy Awards broadcast just be an entertaining television program in its own right such an impossibility for many years but it has been a brass ring that has remained consistently elusive...until last night. I have no idea if producers have changed or if past writers have been jettisoned but last night's show seemed to be more inspired by what actually makes the Golden Globes telecast work so well (lightning pace, copious amounts of readily available alcohol for the celebrities), and the powers-that-be decided to make their program one that was less stuffy and ponderous while simultaneously celebrating the art and artistry of the movies. While I have been a longtime admirer of Ellen DeGeneres, I have to admit that I was more than skeptical of her hosting duties as it just seemed that no one, no matter who they were could save the sinking ship of the Oscar telecast but by the program opening minutes, I was a believer, and by the show's conclusion, I would welcome her back for next year with open arms should she choose to return.
Ellen DeGeneres made for an absolutely wonderful and completely disarming hostess as she never for an instant seemed to be operating out of her depth, and she was never intimidated by the grandeur of the Oscars. In fact, she very wisely let the air out of the balloon for the entire evening, as her impish humor made the Oscars extremely light on its feet. I loved how the program began with no bloated opening production numbers whatsoever. Just Ellen in pure stand-up mode, just being herself was perfection and within the first 15 minutes the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor was delivered and even more Oscar awards were presented in rapid succession. Once Jim Carrey arrived on the scene as a presenter and Pharrell Williams performed by Oscar nominated song "Happy" from "Despicable Me 2," which featured Williams shimmying with the likes of a very game Amy Adams, the Oscar telecast completely loosened its ties, kicked off their heels and became a party--exactly what the Oscars should be.
Having Ellen DeGeneres roam the audience was a masterstroke as that tactic made the show looser and considerably more unpredictable in its presentation, a tone that made the actors and celebrities let down their guard over and again and Ellen's pranks were just delightful. The Twitter photographs notwithstanding, the running gag of the night being the ordering of pizza, actually having the pizza delivered, distributed and then shaking down the stars to pay for the tip on the spot ("Where's Harvey Weinstein??" DeGeneres sharply quipped) was just fantastic and you could see by that stage, that whatever tensions and anxiousness that must obviously permeate that room on that night were rapturously dissipated.
Even allowing acceptance speeches to run comfortably and without having the orchestra blast them off of the stage also made for a more relaxed atmosphere as well as provided moments that felt to be more genuine than in years past as the recipients didn't have to rattle off names and such just to literally beat the band. And besides, they've just won an Academy Award! So, let them have their moments, especially as we do want to see them!
And then, just those random moments that made the show so wonderfully touching and exciting at times. Like when the iconic Darlene Love sang the roof off of the theater during an acceptance speech for the Best Documentary Film victory for "20 Feet From Stardom," and my man, Bill Murray spontaneously jumped out of his seat to give her a standing ovation. Or another moment featuring Bill Murray when he tossed in an impromptu tribute to his recently fallen compatriot in comedy Harold Ramis made me cheer along with him and the audience. Even the "In Memorium" section was finally appropriately tasteful and not an applause popularity contest (although I still think that they didn't need Bette Midler to sing afterwards--it kind of belabored an already elegantly made point of remembrance), another reason to be thankful.
Even the musical performances for Best Original Song, a section of the show where I typically get up and pace the room for a few minutes, kept me riveted in my seat. Except for that insufferable "Let It Go," which was the obvious clear winner as it was the most traditional sounding song (and hey, it's from Disney), the nominated selections were also a bit riskier than in years past which made for more unpredictable performances. In addition to Pharrell Williams' joyously performed "Happy," Karen O's "The Mooon Song" from the film "Her," was short, sweet and to the point without being cloying. And then there was U2, a band synonymous with operatic grandeur and visual dynamism on stage, delivering raw, real, rock and roll power in the most bare bones fashion they have done...perhaps..ever? They were stunning!
As for my Oscar predictions, well, I am a bit pleased with myself as I was straight on the money aside from Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture, two categories where I made incorrect predictions but I could not have been any happier to have been wrong. Written by Spike Jonze, "Her" was the definition of the most original screenplay of the year and as I have been saying for months, "12 Years A Slave" was the movie of 2013 and I am so thrilled that Oscar did the right thing by bestowing its highest honor for that film. To that end, it was a massively victorious evening for Alfonso Cuaron's "Gravity" which swept the night is ALL of the right categories. The awards delivered to "Dallas Buyers Club" have made me more anxious than ever to finally see that film now that it is on DVD. And I'm also thrilled that Oscar didn't fall for the con and the dreaded "American Hustle" went home empty handed.
But I think, at the core of the night there was a moment that spoke to the magic of the Oscars that makes it the annual event that is has always been for me and so many others, including those who took home the trophy last night. It was during the acceptance speech for the Best Animated Short Film winner "Mr. Hublot," and I saw the director's hands just SHAKING with nervousness. It was a moment that signified that one you strip away all of the politics and horse race aspect of the Academy Awards, there is still room for that artist who at one time had an idea and never though him or herself to ever be standing upon that stage giving thanks and holding the gold statue in their hands but definitely wished for it. It was a moment of dreams realized and how powerful those dreams have always been and will forever continue to be. That was the gift of last night's telecast of the Academy Awards, a gift for the victors as well as the viewers and for all those who still continue to dream...like myself!
Now that was a great show! Let's do it again next year and now that the bar has been raised again, you can't go back!
I think the abolition of the timed responses and the lack of music threatening to end speeches was the most significant change. Speakers were at ease and were able to say what they really wanted to say. BIG improvement.
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