I suspect the litmus test for last night’s Oscars really boils down to this: if you like big, gaudy production numbers, you had a good time. But if your favorite musical moment was hearing the Hives over the action-movie montage–and that’s the camp I’m in–the telecast was even a bit more tedious than it usually is. Really, except for: James Franco and Seth Rogen’s super-funny Pineapple Expressed take on everything from The Love Guru to The Reader; the plainspoken dignity of Heath Ledger’s family; Man on Wire documentary-subject Philippe Petit performing a little magic trick and balancing the Oscar on his chin; the great film critic Manny Farber getting a shout-out during the salute-to-the-dead montage; the sharp whistle of Kate Winslet’s dad; and that clever Jimmy Kimmel house-on-fire commercial with Tom Cruise — except for those moments, and the victories of Name-Your-Favorite-Winner-Here, it was mostly brassy music and maundering speechifying.
Hugh Jackman seems like a nice guy, but every qualm one might have had about having a non-comedian, song-and-dance-prone host was confirmed. The other momentum-clogging bad idea:
having previous winners make little speech-salutes to each nominee in the big acting categories. They spouted nice sentiments, to be sure, but it frequently seemed awkward for the nominees to have to sit through them, and for us to watch them. Sure, I enjoyed Robert De Niro’s remarks about Sean Penn. But Whoopi Goldberg compelling Amy Adams to smile over the fact that they’ve both played nuns? Not so entertaining. Oh, and making Reese Witherspoon explain what a director is before presenting the best-director Oscar–how dumb do the show’s writers think we are?
I respected the producers’ attempt to disrupt that annual, awful moment when pictures of those who’ve died are shown and the segment becomes a popularity contest to see who’ll get the most applause. But having Queen Latifah sing over the clapping wasn’t the way to do it. Especially since she had to abruptly stop singing and let a clip of Paul Newman play though. Didn’t anyone think that through?
What’s the one thing people complain about when they say, year after year, that the Oscars go on too long? The big production numbers. What was the Oscars stuffed with this year? Big production numbers. Mr. Jackman, I appreciate your effort. But next year, more James Franco — on the big screen and the small screen — please.
More on the Oscars: Stewart, Colbert, Kimmel: Who will make the best Oscar jokes tonight?
having previous winners make little speech-salutes to each nominee in the big acting categories. They spouted nice sentiments, to be sure, but it frequently seemed awkward for the nominees to have to sit through them, and for us to watch them. Sure, I enjoyed Robert De Niro’s remarks about Sean Penn. But Whoopi Goldberg compelling Amy Adams to smile over the fact that they’ve both played nuns? Not so entertaining. Oh, and making Reese Witherspoon explain what a director is before presenting the best-director Oscar–how dumb do the show’s writers think we are?
I respected the producers’ attempt to disrupt that annual, awful moment when pictures of those who’ve died are shown and the segment becomes a popularity contest to see who’ll get the most applause. But having Queen Latifah sing over the clapping wasn’t the way to do it. Especially since she had to abruptly stop singing and let a clip of Paul Newman play though. Didn’t anyone think that through?
What’s the one thing people complain about when they say, year after year, that the Oscars go on too long? The big production numbers. What was the Oscars stuffed with this year? Big production numbers. Mr. Jackman, I appreciate your effort. But next year, more James Franco — on the big screen and the small screen — please.
More on the Oscars: Stewart, Colbert, Kimmel: Who will make the best Oscar jokes tonight?
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I totally disagree with you about the presenting- I loved hearing the other five actors saluting the work of the nominated ones. Anne Hathaway’s face while Shirley Maclaine was talking about her… come on! So great!
I concur.
Um, I think you got this one totally wrong. This was MUCH better than in previous years, and Jackman was a great host. The real flaw was in not having him on the stage enough. Also, some of the presenters were a bit boring. But again, the musicals were great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought the presenting format was awkward too. The only category where it was kind of cool was with Best Supporting Actress, because Taraji Henson and Viola Davis both looked so obviously excited just to be there. I for one, am pissed Mickey Rourke and Viola Davis didn’t win their respective categories.
Ah Ken Tucker, you’re such a curmudgeon. I actually liked the show this year. I thought the writing and pacing was much crisper, and I loved the past winners honouring the newbies (though admittedly, their tributes could have been a tad shorter–and a look at some performance clips would have been nice). I also liked the fact that they bunched up certain awards together to save on time–in that sense, the “narrative” of the show worked. To me, the thing that does always bog down the shows are the tributes to various film genres. We don’t care about those (though I agree the Pineapple Express spoof was hilarious). And the musical medley was all wrong, though I liked the way they “remixed” the song nominees together. The only other criticism I have is the memorial segment. I have no problem with Queen Latifah, but instead of having the camera wander all over the stage capturing the screens, why didn’t they just let the viewer see the full images of those who’ve passed on? Stupid decision
I actually liked the “previous winners” segments for the major acting awards – I found them moving, although I do agree that the women seemed much more able to accept the comment graciously than most of the men were able to – the sentimentality of it worked beautifully when the reaction was a teary-eyed actress – not so much a sunglass-ed Mickey Rourke…
This was probably the most entertaining and emotional Oscar telecast I´ve ever seen. Don´t agree with Mr. Tucker.
Huh. I thought the whole thing of having previous winners say nice words about an individual performance was quite nice, and made the old “It’s an honor just to be nominated” saying ring true for once. I think they should do it ever year.
The opening musical number was fun if amazingly silly. The second one with Beyonce was terrible though, and not needed. Despite all the energy on display.
Having the camera move around so much during the death reel was annoying and not very respectful (as you couldn’t always see who was being honored.)
Overall I liked it, but I will say that in Tina Fey and Steve Martin’s small moment of hilarity I hope we saw next year’s hosts.
Ken you forgot to mention how funny Steve Martin and TIna Fey were. Seriously, Tina Fey makes everything better
Also, Dustin Lance Black probably gave one of the best speeches during the Oscars I’ve seen during my very short life span.
As for next year’s host: either tina/steve, ben stiller, or franco/rogen. anything besides hugh jackman
I’ll disagree with Ken’s assessment. The second production number was frivolous, but I thought the producers did a great job creating opportunities for real human emotion to break through the clutter. Just putting all the nominees probablby shaved 10 min. of the show, for a show that had few real surprise winners, the show had some great moments (Ann Hathaway, the Franco/Rogan bit, even the speeches were pretty good), and yet the Ben Stiller thing didn’t work for me. Would have been much better if Christian Bale presented for cinematography, now THAT would have been television.
Um, no thanks Ken. I thought this year’s show was radically different enough to enjoy. It didn’t feel like it was dragging like previous shows and they actually made the technical awards pleasing to watch because of the glitz and glamor.
I thought Hugh Jackman as host really helped spark the show up too.
This year’s show really felt like a “celebration of cinema” rather than a really long, acceptance speech from that foreign guy whose movie you haven’t seen.
Also, while it overall felt much shorter than usual (thankfully) I do wish they would NOT present the awards for short films (whether live action, animated, or documentary) during the telecast. Do a special dinner for it like they do for the techie awards.
No one in the room or the home audience has seen these short films and there is no point in spending time in it at the main event.
I thought this was one of the best Oscar shows in a long time! Pretty much everything about it was great—-the sets, the major winners of the past announcing the new winner, the funny bits, the deserving winners, and Hugh Jackman, who did a great job. Very impressed with the show!!
I liked the format… but instead of being shorter, it actually went to 4 hours!!!! what the hell. I say just cut out the moments where they saluted the genre movies ala romance, comedy, it was unecessary.
You are a major hater. How sad. Tonight’s show was the best Oscar telecast I’ve ever seen. Anyone who loves actors had to be ga-ga over the five-previous-winners format, and the detailed set design and production numbers were equally praiseworthy. I even loved Latifah’s ballad. What I certainly don’t love is this mean-spirited and misanthropic blog post. Shame, Mr. Tucker, Shame.
Yeah, can we all stop with this beyonce overkill. She doesn’t have to perform in every Oscars every year.
i completely disagree. i have been watching the oscars for a little over a decade and feel that this was one of the best shows if not the best one. I felt that there was never a dull moment. Also, one of my favorite portions of the revamp was when past winners spoke a bit about the new nominees before announcing the winners. I think Jackman did a commendable job and i really enjoyed the ceremony. Lastly, Kate Winslet finally wins an oscar!!!!!! it only took 6 nominations!!!
This show reminded me exactly why I avoid the Tonys like the plague. I thought it was awful. The ‘In Memoriam’ segment was a tacky tribute—having Queen Latifah sing the same song over and over and not even give the deceased the courtesy of the audience being able to read their names because the director stayed in a wide shot of the stage rather than take the video full frame? The whole show from top to bottom seemed decidedly less classy than ever.
This telecast made me remember why I have loved movies since I was little and wanted to be any part of the industry. The past few years had made me forget…but ahhh…tonight was a breath of fresh air and spirit and laughter and crying – all form my couch. Well done!!
I am so over Slumdog! What were all those people doing on the stage for Best Picture? Was it a 7-Eleven grand opening??
Mr. Tucker,
It saddens me to read such a negative review of tonights Oscars. The past winners presenting to the nominees was heart warming and far from akward. Mr. Jackman did a brilliant job this year and deserves more than needless jeering; He is an entertainer who is not afraid to show his theatre background which is shared by a great majority of his peers(who seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely). I hate to break it to you, but not everyone is in to the Apatow style of comedy(I did enjoy it but more would have been to much). As to comics hosting the Oscars(which is odd because comedies seem to be loathed by the men with the ballots)The only ones who have been good are Johnny Carson and Billy Crystal. Tonights Oscars were the best of the decade and I can only hope that tonights format is revisted in years to come.
Sincerely,
Jenna Fawn
Oh Ken… you are just so wrong! This is probably the best Oscar telecast since Billy Crystal hosted it the year LOTR won best picture. I am sure that u r one of those ppl that laughed out loud during the horrendous bit last year when Jon Stewart played Wii Tennis with that girl and I am also sure u r one of those Star War geeks. If that is the kinda comedy u love, stick to watching the MTV movie awards! I LOVED JACKMAN!!!!! Unlike other losers (I mean hosts such as Jon Stewart, David Letterman, and Chris Rock) Jackman didn’t try to make the show funny by poking fun at the audience and trying use sarcasm to get laughs. He showed that a host doesn’t have to be funny to ENTERTAIN! KUDOS TO HIM! I am pretty sure he is the only host after Billy Crystal to get a STANDING OVATION after his opening bit! I mean, Jon S. and Chris Rock and Ellen D. were just so miserable…. they made the show boring and so pathetic.
Well, at least it wasn’t boring.
Sorry, Ken, you’ve gone crazy! This was the classiest Oscars ever — epic even.
I disagree – I actually quite enjoyed this year’s Oscars. Yes the Beyonce/HSH dance routine was weird and baffling but even with all the extra filler, it didn’t feel that much longer than usual to me.
My one complaint would be the ‘memorial to actors who passed away’ segment. Having Queen Latifah sing made it more about her than the actors they were celebrating and seriously, what was with the tiny names and box-in-box format?? You could barely see who the person was!
why the hell are you kissing James Franco’s ass so muc? Okay so he’s funny and talented but you’re going overboard and sounding really pretentious if you actually enjoy the montages with the Vines songs playing over it, Mr Rock Star. I hated those montages. The best parts were Kate Winslet speech and the whole presentation of the previous best actress winners to the nominees. It was wonderful. I hated the Beyonce routine though.
Wow, couldn’t disagree more – this was the best Oscar telecast I’ve seen in years. It was nice to have a host for once who wasn’t a professional put-down-artist who acts like they are above what they’re hosting.
I thought it was the best Oscar telecast in years. The stage and audience set up was very intimate, the speeches were very heartfelt and there was NO interrupting music to make them stop, Hugh Jackman was very good and I loved the way they presented the acting awards. It made it much more personal, than just reading off a list on nominees and announcing the winner. You could tell that the nominees were touched. The worst 2 presenters – Ben Stiller’s weird attempt to draw attention to himself and Bill Maher promoting his film. I thought it was a great change to the show overall.
I completely disagree with your assessment! I thought Hugh Jackman was wonderful – especially in the opening number – and I really enjoyed the new presenting formats. Granted, not every speech worked perfectly, but I found it moving and very respectful of the fact that all of these people did great work and deserved a little extra recognition. Ben Stiller’s bit was disrespectful, however, drawing too much attention away from the award. I thought the second production number was a little too heavy and awkward – a simpler setup would have been better – but I loved Queen Latifah’s song during the review of those who have passed. That is not a popularity contest, it’s a remembrance, and that’s what her song enhanced about it – not to mention the beauty of her stellar voice. Mr. Tucker, maybe you should stick to the Independent Spirit Awards. This was a great improvement in style and much more interesting than most of the dry presentations and lame banter between presenters.
I totally agree with u Jenna Fawn!
I really felt like the audience members loved the show too. Kudos to Boyle who said the same during his speech. And I loved how they showed past winners present the award to the actors. It was really touching and moving and it made everyone feel special. And Ken, go check ur Judd Apatrow sense of humor at the door, and stop being so narrow minded when watching the show. One more time:
WELL DONE HUGH JACKMAN! Hope u r here next year instead of the sarcastic Jon Stewart.