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ENTERTAINMENT

The Oscars Must Die

Whether or not the Hollywood writers' strike nixes this year's Academy Awards telecast, it may be time to kill the show.

By Marc Peyser | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jan 31, 2008

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  • Posted By: bfuller123 @ 02/26/2008 10:05:47 AM

    Comment: Don't cancel the Oscars - and give the winners MORE time to thank whomever they wish. They've earned the right. This is part of what gives us the surprises - it's non-scripted. Personally, it reminds me that people in the film industry are human - they have families and friends and work hard at their craft. Every person has his/her preferences - some like the Super Bowl, some like the Oscars. Watch what you want. I think the Super Bowl is boring but I don't think it should be cancelled. Some things are just part of our culture.

  • Posted By: Jim Elwood @ 02/22/2008 12:24:07 PM

    Comment: The one thing I hate about the Oscars is giving, people that make millions of dollars, gifts that could be better spent on the homeless, out of work, or un-insured. There has to be something wrong with our society when someone gives a gift worth over $40,000 to a group of people that have way too much of everything anway!

  • Posted By: pamelas @ 02/13/2008 12:09:17 PM

    Comment: The Oscars are for film lovers. They don't need to be shortened anymore than the Super Bowl or any other sports telecast needs to be shortened. Members of the media keep bringing this subject up because they have nothing interesting to say about the actual nominated movies. They have not seen these movies because that requires some sort of attention span.

  • Posted By: SharedThought @ 02/06/2008 1:43:29 PM

    Comment: I hope that, after the strike is over, the usual annual televised event will return. It's only once a year, and while it may not be perfect, I enjoy at least listening to the host's opening monologue. After that, I simply continue to watch, until whatever point when the show ceases to entertain me; then, I either change the channel, or watch one of my DVD's. So, let the show go on!

  • Posted By: DecoDean @ 02/03/2008 9:53:19 PM

    Comment: I Agree. The oscar party should be returned to a private dinner, No Press. No TV. Average people can watch mindless sports shows. Leave the oscars to creative types that don't need the spotlight...

  • Posted By: GOREMAN12 @ 02/03/2008 1:28:18 PM

    Comment: PLEASE SPARE US THE OSCARS--THEY MEAN NOTHING--PURE EMPTY GLITZ--THE NAMES AND
    FACES COULD BE SCROLLED DOWN-SCREEN DURING THE SUPER-BOWL OR A PRIMARY RETURN
    NIGHT--BUT NOTDURING SUPER BOWL AD'S OR CRUCIAL DELEGATE COUNTS. AND NO ENDORSE
    MENTS OF ANY CANDIDATE--THE "STARS" ARE POLITICALLY UN-CHALLENGED.

  • Posted By: GOREMAN12 @ 02/03/2008 1:25:26 PM

    Comment: BRAVO--THE OSCARS ARE SO BAD THAT THE NAMES AND AWARDS SHOULD BE FEATURED
    AS PERHAPS PART OF HALF TIME AT THE SUPER-BOWL --OR MAYBE TIMED TO MATCH WITH
    SUPER TUESDAY AT AN OPPORTUNE, OFF MOMENT, WHEN FACES AND NAMES COULD BE SHOWN WITH ALL ENDORSEMENTS (POLITICAL OR SOAP/SOUP) BANNED AS TOTAL FORBIDDEN AS A JACKSON BREAST OR A RAPSTERS CROTCH. DEAR GOD--IT HAS ALL BECOME SUPER GLITZ MEANING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT PROOF THAT CELEBRITY CONFERS FAME BUT NO WITT AS IN THINK. J. MC CORMICK

    • Posted By: theoneandonly @ 02/03/2008 16:44:15

      Comment: Wait. So the Academy Awards are meaningless and all the people who participate in them are mindless and therefore undeserving of fame or attention--but the Super Bowl is all right?

  • Posted By: maymay @ 02/03/2008 12:15:33 PM

    Comment: Personally, I love the Oscars, & watch the whole broadcast, 3 or 4 hours,
    it is nice to see hard work rewarded, be it a famous actor or unknown technician,
    because I love watching movies, grand & complex ones or simple & entertaining, as long as they are good productions,
    Some hosts are good, others not so much, still I will watch, because the point is seeing the hopes of the nominated, the pleasure of the winner, & getting the chance to know about movies I have missed,

    So, yes to the Oscars, & I hope the writers strike is resolved soon so we can have some decent shows.

  • Posted By: theoneandonly @ 02/02/2008 5:55:13 PM

    Comment: Yeah, most of the films Hollywood produces are trash. The same can be said for a vast majority of the books that are published and the vast majority of the music produced. So what? That doesn't mean there aren't some great films being turned out, just as there are still great books being written and great songs being sung. I realize that film is an easy target, because a majority of the people in our society don't yet realize that it is an art form and not just some disposable entertainment (due to their own refusal to watch anything other than what opens at no less than 3000 theaters, and their presupposed notions that all those "art films" in limited release are boring and "how dare film actually try to do anything other than provide me with mindless entertainment! What an affront to mine and all my neighbor's closeminded views of film and art!") - but it's no more reasonable to call for the downfall of Hollywood (or worldwide film production) than it is to call for the downfall of the publishing industry or the music industry (or the fine art industry or whatever else.) It's fine that many people aren't interested in watching many of the smarter films produced, and that they would rather see "National Treasure 2" or "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" than "There Will Be Blood" or some boring-shmoring documentary film - you know, we want to "escape the world for a few hours, not actually have our brain stimulated" - but that doesn't mean there aren't more worthwhile things being produced than what they're willing to watch. There are some very smart people in Hollywood (and if you'll notice, the Academy generally doesn't give awards to the really, really dumb ones like Paris Hilton or Britney Spears.)

    I'm not saying the Academy Awards are the ultimate judge of filmic quality - they aren't. But the films they reward are several steps above the stuff the majority moviegoers reward with their hard-earned dollars (and then those people complain that the Oscars always choose films that "nobody watches" - which just isn't true. They generally just choose films that are actually good, and therefore have less appeal to mass audiences.) Yeah, it's true, the Academy Awards are slightly silly (but couldn't you say the same for the literature and Broadway and music awards?), but that doesn't mean the awards they give are undeserved (though sometimes they are.) And at least they recognize that there is slightly more to films than just the actors, which all the people here whining about the "celebrity culture" and so on and so forth don't seem to realize, as they mindlessly declare the uselessness of the technical awards, wondering "who on Earth cares who wins 'Best Editing' or whatnot?" (hint: I do.)

    On a final note, I'd ask that people stop proclaiming their ignorance of film and art in general as if it were some sort of virtue.

  • Posted By: kimene @ 02/02/2008 4:41:22 PM

    Comment: At last, somebody agrees with me. I thought I was the only person in the world who thought the Awards were boring. I have never been able to see the attraction of wasting 3 hours watching a bunch of people I don't know and don't care about patting each other on the back. Ho Hum. About half of the nominees are so drunk or so drugged up that they can barely stumble up the aisle to the stage to give their phony cliched "thank the entire world" speech. As for merit? Well, I don't know about that. Merit is what the power core of the In Crowd of the Academy says it is, which means it is what appeals to them, what their tastes are. Nobody asked me what I liked, and I bet they didn't ask you either. And I suspect that if the nominee hadn't sucked up sufficiently to the in crowd in the year before the Awards, they wouldn't win no matter how good their picture was. And even if a movie I liked won, so what? I wouldn't get any residuals or commissions, my salary would be the same. As for the dresses, maybe if you watched the actual Awards, which I haven't in years, you might see some pretty dresses, but the ones I see on TV and the internet in the days following the awards -- well, all I can say is I hope those actresses didn't pay good money for them. But if that is what you like and what you find entertaining, well then go for it and enjoy the Awards. I am not threatened by that, and nobody should be threatened by the fact that I don't share their opinion and find the Awards boring. People are different and like different things. What's to get upset about? Still, it is nice to finally find somebody who agrees with me. Thanks for your article, Marc Peyser!

  • Posted By: kimene @ 02/02/2008 4:28:15 PM

    Comment: At last, somebody agrees with me. I thought I was the only person in the world who thought the Awards were boring. I have never been able to see the attraction of wasting 3 hours of my time watching a bunch of people I don't know and don't care about patting each other on the back. About half of the nominees are so drunk or drugged up they can hardly stumble up to the stage to give the same old phony cliched "thank the entire world" speech. As for rewarding merit?? I don't know about that. Merit is what the power core of the In Crowd of the Academy says it is, which really means merit is what they like, what their tastes are. And I suspect that if the nominees hadn't sucked up to the In Crowd enough during the year, it wouldn't matter how good their picture was, they wouldn't win. Even if a movie I liked won, what difference would it make to me? My salary would still be the same, I wouldn't get any commissions or residuals, and it would still cost me the same price to get in the movie theatre. And the dresses and the bling, as for some of those outfits I see on TV and the internet in the days after the Awards, all I can say is I hope those stars didn't pay good money for them. Maybe if you watch the Awards, which I haven't in years, you might see some pretty dresses, I don't know. But if that is what somebody likes to watch and that is entertaining to them, well go for it and enjoy it. I'm not threatened by that. So don't be threatened because I don't share your enthusiasm for the Awards. People are different, and everybody doesn't like the same thing. I personally think they are a boring waste of time, but that's just me. Still, it's just nice to find somebody else who agrees with me. Loved your article, Marc Peyser!

  • Posted By: kimene @ 02/02/2008 4:27:46 PM

    Comment: At last, somebody agrees with me. I thought I was the only person in the world who thought the Awards were boring. I have never been able to see the attraction of wasting 3 hours of my time watching a bunch of people I don't know and don't care about patting each other on the back. About half of the nominees are so drunk or drugged up they can hardly stumble up to the stage to give the same old phony cliched "thank the entire world" speech. As for rewarding merit?? I don't know about that. Merit is what the power core of the In Crowd of the Academy says it is, which really means merit is what they like, what their tastes are. And I suspect that if the nominees hadn't sucked up to the In Crowd enough during the year, it wouldn't matter how good their picture was, they wouldn't win. Even if a movie I liked won, what difference would it make to me? My salary would still be the same, I wouldn't get any commissions or residuals, and it would still cost me the same price to get in the movie theatre. And the dresses and the bling, as for some of those outfits I see on TV and the internet in the days after the Awards, all I can say is I hope those stars didn't pay good money for them. Maybe if you watch the Awards, which I haven't in years, you might see some pretty dresses, I don't know. But if that is what somebody likes to watch and that is entertaining to them, well go for it and enjoy it. I'm not threatened by that. So don't be threatened because I don't share your enthusiasm for the Awards. People are different, and everybody doesn't like the same thing. I personally think they are a boring waste of time, but that's just me. Still, it's just nice to find somebody else who agrees with me. Loved your article, Marc Peyser!

  • Posted By: BCGirl @ 02/02/2008 2:30:24 PM

    Comment: There is a history to this grand event. It is the benchmark that many ladies and gentlemen in the entertainment industry aspire to reaching. Just as the writer that finally makes the front page (or maybe an article with Newsweek), or the lawyer that becomes a partner in her firm, we are all working towards something greater. Tell me that your family would not treat you to a celebratory dinner after landing a big promotion (I bet you scored a little TGIFridays action with this one!)? Friends and business associates wouldn't shake your hand, and offer a pat on the back, for a job well-done? Heck, aren't there even banquet ceremonies for a lot of these "daily grind???-type of jobs? We are all guilty of experiencing a slice of ego-stroking on occasion. I conclude that it must be lack of television coverage that is inspiring these ridiculous temper tantrums from whining pseudo-intellectuals (Read: Why do animated shorts get all the play?). Press on about how YOU haven't sold out to the Hollywood hype...because in a world where the rest of us have to worry about little Johnny getting fondled by his teacher, terrorist attacks, and global warming, I, for one, am pretty excited to turn off the news and get into something a bit lighter ??? even if it has to be more serious than toilet humor ala Bill Maher.

  • Posted By: rwiley @ 02/02/2008 1:47:29 PM

    Comment: Marc Peyser likes Bill Maher. his column told me so long before he told me himself on page 2. Out of the millions of people he could have referenced he picks Bill Maher. I am a f-ing genius. and Marc Peyser is a F-ing idiot.

  • Posted By: rwiley @ 02/02/2008 1:41:06 PM

    Comment: As I was reading this column I began to think, I'll bet this idiot likes Bill Maher. lo and behold who does he reference on the 2nd page...... need I say more?

  • Posted By: rwiley @ 02/02/2008 1:38:19 PM

    Comment: As I was reading this column I started to think, I'll bet this idiot likes Bill Maher. lo and behold. Need I say more?

  • Posted By: willthecubseverwin @ 02/02/2008 1:25:41 PM

    Comment: Start off with Best Picture First, Then Best Actress, actor, screenplay...Do the show backwards, that's what makes it seem so long, if you want to watch the rest, ok go ahead...
    But these are people we should celebrate, because they have the guts to live our dreams over and over.

    Tom

  • Posted By: timelesswonders @ 02/02/2008 12:58:02 PM

    Comment: Film

  • Posted By: timelesswonders @ 02/02/2008 12:51:37 PM

    Comment: Film

  • Posted By: thebear1216 @ 02/02/2008 12:43:34 PM

    Comment: Yes, I firmly agree that the writers strikes and all of the "hollywood" glitz and glamour has been OVER DONE, time and time again. But the issue at hand isnt so much about hollywood.
    The closest thing to Royalty we have in this country (and I say that in a good way, because most countries can easily identify royalty more than their own prime ministers and members of their individual goverments) are our Actors and Actresses. They ARE our embassadors to the world; Go to any single country on this planet, and if you can recite certain phrases from rocky, the terminator, titanic, star wars, E.T., you will have spoken a universal language that most people, even in 3rd world countries, can understand and relate to.
    Because hollywood sells the American Dream; hollywood sells the idea that, in this country, our goverment has state of the art technology that will kill everyone in our way! That in this country, all of our citizens are beautiful, tall, adn we all live in beautiful homes. In this country, a cop and an abulance is always seconds away. And in this country, all the roads are paved, and your lights work!!!

    So for those of you who wish the oscars to end, or not show; its not simply the end of a 3 1/2 hour waste of time. It would also be the end of an american institution and it shows the world that we can't handle our OWN problems, how can we handle everyone elses? And with so much already titering on the edge, i think it would be ashame if this went down the toilet too.

  • Posted By: kawannah @ 02/02/2008 12:42:29 PM

    Comment: I totally agree. I am so tired of actors and actresses giving each award after award and telling each other
    how wonderful they because a few of them can act. There is only body more ridiculous and useless , the
    US Congress. After all they are only actors.

  • Posted By: eugene666 @ 02/02/2008 12:41:55 PM

    Comment: Ya don't likel the show....DON'T FRIGGING WATCH IT!!!!!!!!! Oh, but then what the heck would you have to complain about. Marcie Marc?

  • Posted By: MeganDevon @ 02/02/2008 12:34:05 PM

    Comment: Sorry, I'm having computer issues and posted my comment a million times.

  • Posted By: MeganDevon @ 02/02/2008 12:30:17 PM

    Comment: Okay, so I'm one of those people that loves watching the Oscars, but I have to agree with you. Plus, the Oscars aren't what they used to be. Who the heck saw all the films that are being nominated these days (with the exception of Juno)? Comeone Hollywood!
    Anyway, I'll forgive you for the Jack Bauer comment. As much as I'm alright with the Oscars not airing this year, there is no reason why the amazing Jack Bauer and House MD can't still grace my television screen. For pete's sake. Someone stop this writer's strike!!!! One more reality show and I'll rip my hair out.

  • Posted By: MeganDevon @ 02/02/2008 12:30:01 PM

    Comment: Okay, so I'm one of those people that loves watching the Oscars, but I have to agree with you. Plus, the Oscars aren't what they used to be. Who the heck saw all the films that are being nominated these days (with the exception of Juno)? Comeone Hollywood!
    Anyway, I'll forgive you for the Jack Bauer comment. As much as I'm alright with the Oscars not airing this year, there is no reason why the amazing Jack Bauer and House MD can't still grace my television screen. For pete's sake. Someone stop this writer's strike!!!! One more reality show and I'll rip my hair out.

  • Posted By: bluemilehi @ 02/02/2008 12:18:38 PM

    Comment: Yes, the Academy Awards are boring, and I certainly wont miss them if they leave. That being stated, Mr. Peyser seems to be missing the point of the show when he complains about the long list of 'second tier' and 'minor' technical awards. The Academy Awards are meant to celebrate the best achievements in EVRY AREA OF FILM PRODUCTION. Sure, the guy who wins 'Best Animated Short' may not have the name-recognition of a famous actor, but does that mean they deserve less recognition from their peers in the industry as well? Everyone in the film industry works incredibly hard, and many are creative geniuses, but the movie-going public tends to only ever recognize the names of the leading actors and (occasionally) and the director. The entire point of the Academy Awards is for members of the industry could recognize those individuals that THEY feel deserved recognition. If Mr. Peyser just wants to watch a show that is exclusively filled with celebrities congratulating each other on how wonderful thay are, then he should watch the late night talk shows and avoid the Academy Awards all together. In all seriousness, complaining that the show is too long because there are too many awards is like complaining that a football game is too long because there is they spend too much time playing and scoring.

  • Posted By: bluemilehi @ 02/02/2008 12:16:35 PM

    Comment: Yes, the Academy Awards are boring, and I certainly wont miss them if they leave. That being stated, Mr. Peyser seems to be missing the point of the show when he complains about the long list of 'second tier' and 'minor' technical awards. The Academy Awards are meant to celebrate the best achievements in EVRY AREA OF FILM PRODUCTION. Sure, the guy who wins 'Best Animated Short' may not have the name-recognition of a famous actor, but does that mean they deserve less recognition from their peers in the industry as well? Everyone in the film industry works incredibly hard, and many are creative geniuses, but the movie-going public tends to only ever recognize the names of the leading actors and (occasionally) and the director. The entire point of the Academy Awards is for members of the industry could recognize those individuals that THEY feel deserved recognition. If Mr. Peyser just wants to watch a show that is exclusively filled with celebrities congratulating each other on how wonderful thay are, then he should watch the late night talk shows and avoid the Academy Awards all together. In all seriousness, complaining that the show is too long because there are too many awards is like complaining that a football game is too long because there is they spend too much time playing and scoring.

  • Posted By: Viridianether @ 02/02/2008 12:13:04 PM

    Comment: As for reality TV, its as scripted as everything else. What we need are better writers and dissolution of the union which is letting the crappy writers rest on the laurels of the great ones.

    • Posted By: MeganDevon @ 02/02/2008 12:37:19

      Comment: Yes, and no. I want to escape from reality for an hour...not watch it. Plus, you can't make some of that stuff up.

      Hmmm...I think someone should give me a reality show. It could be quite fun.

      Darn you MTV for your stupid Real World TV show.

      However, reality tv is about to go down the flusher. I'm sure of it.

    • Posted By: bluemilehi @ 02/02/2008 12:32:50

      Comment: RE: Virianether's comment on the writer's strike - The only way to get better writers is by PAYING for them. The writer's are on strike because they aren't making any money. If the Writer's Guild didn't exist, ALL of the writer's would suck because the producers would be able to pay minimum wage and all the talent would go into another industry (like writing books, plays, etc.). The crappy writers aren't 'resting on the laurels of the good ones' because there are simply no laurels to rest on. Even the most successful writers only make a fraction of what the top actors and directors do, and most writer's live on less than 60,000 a year (better money than I make, but all things considered it's peanuts). As with most things, you get what you pay for. If you don't believe me, ask yourself this: Who has better players, Major League Teams or Minor League Teams? Who puts on a better show, Hollywood, or your local community theater? When you can pay for talent, you get talent. When you can't, you just get people who enjoy doing it, but aren't necessarily good at it. If you want to see truly great writing, you should be hoping that the writer's guild gets everything it wants and more. If you want to see nothing but amateurish, barely watch able hack writing, by all means keep hoping for the guild to dissolve.

      • Posted By: Viridianether @ 02/02/2008 12:58:13

        Comment: Thats my point, you get what you pay for. If you pay them more, you will get better writing/writers. And really, whats wrong with good talent going from TV to other pursuits such as music and stage, or (God forbid) news media? :)

  • Posted By: MeganDevon @ 02/02/2008 12:09:10 PM

    Comment: Okay, so I'm one of those people that loves watching the Oscars, but I have to agree with you. Plus, the Oscars aren't what they used to be. Who the heck saw all the films that are being nominated these days (with the exception of Juno)? Comeone Hollywood!
    Anyway, I'll forgive you for the Jack Bauer comment. As much as I'm alright with the Oscars not airing this year, there is no reason why the amazing Jack Bauer and House MD can't still grace my television screen. For pete's sake. Someone stop this writer's strike!!!! One more reality show and I'll rip my hair our.

    • Posted By: theoneandonly @ 02/02/2008 17:56:44

      Comment: I've seen all the Best Picture nominees. And all the performances nominated for Best Actor/Actress/Supporting Actor/Supporting Actress.

      I love how on one hand we have people complaining that the awards are too mainstream, that they only award the films that "make the most money" while on the other hand we have people complaining that the films they award are too obscure. Which one is it? It certainly can't be both.

  • Posted By: MeganDevon @ 02/02/2008 12:09:07 PM

    Comment: Okay, so I'm one of those people that loves watching the Oscars, but I have to agree with you. Plus, the Oscars aren't what they used to be. Who the heck saw all the films that are being nominated these days (with the exception of Juno)? Comeone Hollywood!
    Anyway, I'll forgive you for the Jack Bauer comment. As much as I'm alright with the Oscars not airing this year, there is no reason why the amazing Jack Bauer and House MD can't still grace my television screen. For pete's sake. Someone stop this writer's strike!!!! One more reality show and I'll rip my hair our.

  • Posted By: Viridianether @ 02/02/2008 12:09:06 PM

    Comment: I think this summary is too specific to a much broader problem. What innovative or provocative movies, tv shows, music, or stage drama have surfaced in the last few years? The lack of notorious (denotatively) entertainment is not limited to the awards shows. As for memorable moments, you dont have to go much farther beyond five years back to find some truly remarkable scenes. First, there was M. Moore's anti-Bush and anti-war blurb. Secondly, Whoopi had that half black and white--half colored dress in commemoration of the movie Pleasantville (which was quite the provacative movie, although perhaps a bit behind its time).

  • Posted By: Viridianether @ 02/02/2008 12:07:45 PM

    Comment: I think this summary is too specific to a much broader problem. What innovative or provocative movies, tv shows, music, or stage drama have surfaced in the last few years? The lack of notorious (denotatively) entertainment is not limited to the awards shows. As for memorable moments, you dont have to go much farther beyond five years back to find some truly remarkable scenes. First, there was M. Moore's anti-Bush and anti-war blurb. Secondly, Whoopi had that half black and white--half colored dress in commemoration of the movie Pleasantville (which was quite the provacative movie, although perhaps a bit behind its time).

  • Posted By: MeganDevon @ 02/02/2008 12:07:17 PM

    Comment: Okay, so I'm one of those people that loves watching the Oscars, but I have to agree with you. Plus, the Oscars aren't what they used to be. Who the heck saw all the films that are being nominated these days (with the exception of Juno)? Comeone Hollywood!
    Anyway, I'll forgive you for the Jack Bauer comment. As much as I'm alright with the Oscars not airing this year, there is no reason why the amazing Jack Bauer and House MD can't still grace my television screen. For pete's sake. Someone stop this writer's strike!!!! One more reality show and I'll rip my hair our.

  • Posted By: lar623 @ 02/02/2008 12:04:40 PM

    Comment: The solution has been simple to myself for years.

    The broadcast should be 2 hours of combined movie related entertainment and key awards with 4 hosts ( 2 men, 2 women) who are in the movie industry, and not there to tell jokes. The secondary awards should be a non - broadcast or cable broadcast event. Its a horrible television broadcast, way too long and boring and has been for many, many years. Larry.

  • Posted By: lar623 @ 02/02/2008 12:04:28 PM

    Comment: The solution has been simple to myself for years.

    The broadcast should be 2 hours of combined movie related entertainment and key awards with 4 hosts ( 2 men, 2 women) who are in the movie industry, and not there to tell jokes. The secondary awards should be a non - broadcast or cable broadcast event. Its a horrible television broadcast, way too long and boring and has been for many, many years. Larry.

  • Posted By: lar623 @ 02/02/2008 12:03:37 PM

    Comment: The solution has been simple to myself for years.

    The broadcast should be 2 hours of combined movie related entertainment and key awards with 4 hosts ( 2 men, 2 women) who are in the movie industry, and not there to tell jokes. The secondary awards should be a non - broadcast or cable broadcast event. Its a horrible television broadcast, way too long and boring and has been for many, many years. Larry.

  • Posted By: Canine47 @ 02/02/2008 12:03:06 PM

    Comment: I absolutely agree with Pinkysoy...the button to change the channel is there for a reason...to change the channel! If you don't like the Oscars telecast, watch something else. Television offers many alternatives. However, i also agree with Rog in that the Oscars have become incredibly boring. I used to watch each year's telecast, hoping for an enjoyable two-three hours. The past few years have been disappointing. I'll not watch this year if the telecast does happen. I'll change the channel! (What a concept...taking responsibility for my viewing choices!)

  • Posted By: Canine47 @ 02/02/2008 11:59:32 AM

    Comment: I absolutely agree! I've watched the Oscars telecast for years and years...since the first televised one...and the past five to eight years have been incredibly boring (each year I would be optimistically watching). If the telecast does go on this year, I won't be among the viewers.

  • Posted By: pinkysoy @ 02/02/2008 11:50:22 AM

    Comment: I do not agree with you at all well if dont like the academy awards just change the freaking channel and don't bother, there are plenty of people who enjoy the awards, like me. HATER

  • Posted By: barblze @ 02/02/2008 11:19:03 AM

    Comment: I could not agree more with your article. I don't give a damn about the Oscar''s or Hollywood. It's time for it's demise and good ridance.

  • Posted By: USMC RET @ 02/02/2008 11:15:02 AM

    Comment: Oscars???. If I want somebody???s political opinion, I could watch CNN.

  • Posted By: Michael Shea @ 02/02/2008 11:15:01 AM

    Comment: The funny thing is we have an automatic mechanism to decide when to end the Oscars - ratings. The real blather is from everyone who bothers to argue that it should just be ended. No show lives or dies because one magazine writer, a dozen bloggers, and a few dozen anonymous snarkmeisters rant about it. Hey, the last memorable play in the Super Bowl was Joe Montana finding Dwight Clark in the end zone. And that happened before most of the Super 'Bowl audience was born.

  • Posted By: AnotherHagman @ 02/02/2008 11:08:01 AM

    Comment: Marc Peyser and a good many of the posters here overlook the several of the larger issues here, such as the long-term picture for screenwriters and the current economic effects of the strike. The temptation is to indulge in schadenfreude and view the cancellation of a few shows as fitting punishment for the wealthy and privileged, but as many media outlets have reported, both the strike and cancellation or cutting back of awards shows translate into a loss of work for all the people you haven't heard of but do matter very much in the scheme of things: the caterers, drivers, seamstresses, tailors, electricians and others. Imagine greatly reduced or nonexistent income for a period of months and what that would mean for your family. Then multiply that by thousands and imagine its effect on a community, the nation, and the industry as a whole, including worldwide..

    Unfortunately, Peyser and some of the posters here want to have it both ways by disparaging the celebrity culture and then whining that awards shows give too much attention to the less famous. One of the uglier by-products of our fast-paced media-driven culture is the spectacle of the dismissive, shallow, and often downright cruel comments posted in online forums such as this one. People are assigning entirely too much weight to their short attention spans, ignorance, and/or moods. It really doesn't matter if you haven't heard of a 1940s star featured in the "In Memoriam" segment or don't care who the cinematographer was on a particular film, but is likely that the work of such artists will enrich the human race for decades to come.

  • Posted By: BrianK477 @ 02/02/2008 10:18:11 AM

    Comment:
    Oscars? Where? Who Cares? I agree completely - let the Oscars go. Who would miss it?

  • Posted By: SJ.commenting @ 02/02/2008 10:07:01 AM

    Comment: Let them have their lime light. Heaven knows they paid the price of freedom for it. They have to be rich to buy those houses where no one can spy on them. They have to pay for their own protection even if they aren't so famous anymore. There are some decent whole actors but most of them choose this lifestyle to feel a void they have in their life, which is really very sad. When then they find themselves still really more alone than ever they go to drugs. I enjoy going to the movies to get away from life for two hours when things are hectic, they really don't have a place to go to. Yes they did this to themselves but we the audience created a place for them to do it.

  • Posted By: john_doe2 @ 02/02/2008 10:05:34 AM

    Comment: I honestly would be pretty happy if the Oscars went down the toliet. In fact, I think all of Hollywood should be flushed down the tubes. Hollywood is the moral pit hole of not only America, but of the entire world itself. Why does society give such people so much influence and recognition? Do they really deserve it? I don't think so. It's sad to see that people actually care so much for losers like Brittany Spears, Lindsy Lohan, Paris Hilton, ect. People need to look for better influences and better people to look up to and admire then the scum of Hollywood.

  • Posted By: Jdpraise @ 02/02/2008 10:01:09 AM

    Comment: The Oscars would be so much more relevent and watchable if the stars and films rewarded really were the best films and performances. The proceedings have become more of a popularity contest and a reward of what film made the most money/profit.
    I get it, the entire spectacle is an advertisment.
    The most palatible films get heaps of recognition, and generally they are formulaic and predicatable. The same formula 'movie' has been winning award after award for 20 years.(there are 3-4 viable formulas in production).
    Alot of people watch these shows, it is a form of escapism, these 'stars' live what many would consider dream lives and we feel entitled to see them at all times. (If you disagree please follow this comment with at least 1 valid reason why anyone in the general public needs to see anyone of these people outside of the movies - "I like them, It's part of being a star, and Its fun to see what they are doing" prove my point.)
    What better time to watch than when we can imagine what it would be like to be rewarded on such a grand scale.
    It's quite sad actually, it's fun but it has no real socially redeeming qualities. Imagine a forum for change seen by Billions of people, instead we get Joan Rivers.
    Jd.

    • Posted By: theoneandonly @ 02/02/2008 18:01:42

      Comment: Yet a vast majority of Americans complain that they only nominate films that "nobody's seen" and so on and so forth.

      The Academy Awards aren't that daring, I agree, that I do think they try a little harder than you give them credit for. Besides, "There Will Be Blood" and "Atonement" and "No Country for Old Men" and so on are hardly the biggest moneymakers of the year. Not compared to "National Treasure 2" or "Spider-Man 3" or other films of that ilk. And at least the films that are nominated are actually GOOD, unlike the aforementioned BLOCKBUSTERS (with capital letters.)

      And if "There Will Be Blood" does win, they will have rewarded the best film of the year (that received any sort of release in America.)

  • Posted By: ladymichiko @ 02/02/2008 9:37:45 AM

    Comment: As an animator I was highly offended by the ignorant statement "When you've won an Oscar for best animated short, the statue should be enough recognition." Obviously the author has little idea of how an animated film is made, of the hours and months of little sleep and painstaking work (especially in shorts, which are sometimes student/independent films). These filmmakers are not Jessica Alba or Angelina Jolie; they dont have the luxury to simply spew out a few lines some talented writer has written for them and sit down whilst makeup touches up their mascara for them. The only thing worth watching in the Oscars are the more technical awards, for the unsung heroes that toil endlessly to make the incredible monsters that attack the dense bimbo. To shorten the Oscars I'd suggest the actors cease blathering on about how how hard they worked for two days against a blue screen. Sorry folks, but all Halle Berry has ever had to do is look hot.

  • Posted By: buzzy @ 02/02/2008 9:36:01 AM

    Comment: My only comment is that the Oscars are harmless fun...Unlike the endless barrage of reality shows popping up at an exponential rate on prime time networks. The latest is a show involving kids and their dads where the dad competes to be "the best"...What happens to the kid who's dad loses and is humiliated in front of millions of rabid viewers? Does he grow up to become the next Columbine killer? Why do we as Americans think this is entertainment? What is wrong with us that we take pleasure in seeing others suffer?

  • Posted By: orimansouri @ 02/02/2008 9:14:20 AM

    Comment: I can't stand the movie business lately anyway. The media has made these uneducated and arrogant people so important and why? They are only actors. Hellooo...I lived in LA and have come across a few. of them and I noticed that they don't give a damn about you and me (Those who are making them richer)and the world. So why do we support them? To make them more arrogant? All they do is party and whta they should wear here and there. They are totally clueless about the world problems and issues. They want the public to do something about the global warming but do not want to give up their private jets and fur coats. There is something wrong with this picture.

    • Posted By: guyc26 @ 02/02/2008 11:27:26

      Comment: I agree with you 100%

  • Posted By: craigx2 @ 02/02/2008 8:53:22 AM

    Comment: I am in total agreement with the article and Jackman97. All of these shows are about as entertaining as the emrgency broadcast signal. Get this trash off the air!! Come on (!!!!), do we all have so little going on in our lives that we need this sort of crappy entertainment?????????????

  • Posted By: gorpet@msn.com @ 02/02/2008 8:49:14 AM

    Comment: all these award shows are are boring. why do these overpaid, overpampered, and mostly under talented people need more adulation. are they all insecure? I do nopt watch any award show ever. I would rather wtach paint dry.

  • Posted By: miketty @ 02/02/2008 8:11:39 AM

    Comment: Well, friends, like it or not, the Oscars aren't going to go away, even if they get cancelled this time around. The producers really COULD trim it down a little - do we really need to know who won for best foreign language animated documentary? I don't even know where to view most of the shorts that are nominated, unless they happen to come with a DVD that I buy for the kids. Best Actor/Actress, Supporter, Music, Director, Film (only Film, not Original Screenplay AND Adapted Whatever - a film is a film), and mabye mention those for FX, costumes, etc. Won't ever happen, of course, but I feel better for having said so :-)

  • Posted By: Jakeman97 @ 02/02/2008 8:05:52 AM

    Comment: Comment: All of these so called self serving award shows should be ripped off the air forever along with all the stupid programs like 'Insider', 'Entertainment Tonight', 'E', 'Soup' etc. etc. All the people who earn their living in the genre should be relegated to a dung heap forever!

  • Posted By: Pope William @ 02/02/2008 7:19:20 AM

    Comment: Big surprise - you had to go back and read some reviews of past oscar nights. If there is anything more useless than an awards show it is articles about them - especially written by idiots who can't remember them anyway. Do you know how many years ago the Snow White opening was? Give them some credit. The only think that really needs to change is tone down the dancy-Nancy factor. If there's an inspired editing bit, like Fred Astaire dancing on the ceiling while the Posiedon turns over, great - more of that. Your article is the equivalent of Joan Rivers red carpet crap. "Who are you wearing?" Wearing thin.

  • Posted By: Pope William @ 02/02/2008 7:18:40 AM

    Comment: Big surprise - you had to go back and read some reviews of past oscar nights. If there is anything more useless than an awards show it is articles about them - especially written by idiots who can't remember them anyway. Do you know how many years ago the Snow White opening was? Give them some credit. The only think that really needs to change is tone down the dancy-Nancy factor. If there's an inspired editing bit, like Fred Astaire dancing on the ceiling while the Posiedon turns over, great - more of that. Your article is the equivalent of Joan Rivers red carpet crap. "Who are you wearing?" Wearing thin.

  • Posted By: FAIRANDBALANCED @ 02/02/2008 7:16:41 AM

    Comment: This dog and pony show -- the Oscars -- is only for the rich and privileged. I mean.....who REALLY cares what this actress wore or what that actor said?? Why don't these pompous, arrogant snobs start investing their money on the homeless and the hungry in this country?? Nah.....the Oscars don't hold any appeal for me. I wish the entire spectacle would just GO AWAY!!!!!

  • Posted By: CPLakewood @ 02/02/2008 7:09:57 AM

    Comment: We Peons do not get the opportunity to see or hear the Pantheon of Players like you are afforded from your niche in the 'heavenlies'....Tired of the view? Go check out pro football! Let me have a three hour fix of fantasy with my chips and salsa in front of the '90's TV box. CPLakewood

  • Posted By: CPLakewood @ 02/02/2008 7:03:28 AM

    Comment: Hey Marc,
    Step out of your stall and spray your mouth...we Peons dont get to see or hear the stars from your niche in the 'heavenlies'. CP Lakewood

  • Posted By: tapegirl @ 02/02/2008 6:28:41 AM

    Comment: I whole heartedly agree!!!!

  • Posted By: satyricbard @ 02/02/2008 6:02:17 AM

    Comment: Thank goodness Marc Peyser will never be asked to run the Academy Awards show! It really would deserve to be canned if it became a vehicle for all the puerile nonsense he wants. As it is, there have been plenty of wonderful heart-warming moments on the show. As a New Zealander, I particularly enjoyed all of Billy Crystal's comments about everyone in New Zealand being thanked on the 2004 awards when Lord of the Rings: Return of the King won its 11 awards, and when Charlize Theron decided to thank everyone in South Africa.


  • Posted By: satyricbard @ 02/02/2008 6:00:55 AM

    Comment: Thank goodness Marc Peyser will never be asked to run the Academy Awards show! It really would deserve to be canned if it became a vehicle for all the puerile nonsense he wants. As it is, there have been plenty of wonderful heart-warming moments on the show. As a New Zealander, I particularly enjoyed all of Billy Crystal's comments about everyone in New Zealand being thanked on the 2004 awards when Lord of the Rings: Return of the King won its 11 awards, and when Charlize Theron decided to thank everyone in South Africa.


  • Posted By: glennkenny @ 02/01/2008 10:17:52 PM

    Comment: Wow, Marc! You must be super excited to be Newsweek's first Williamsburg hire!!!

  • Posted By: glennkenny @ 02/01/2008 10:16:41 PM

    Comment: Wow, Marc! You must be super excited to be Newsweek's first Williamsburg hipster hire!!!

  • Posted By: GiGi1101 @ 02/01/2008 2:34:58 PM

    Comment: Over the past few years, my favorite part of the Oscars has become the "In Memorium" portion reminding us of the old and, sadly, not so old members of Hollywood's elite who passed away over the last year. For 2 minutes, you forget about who's wearing what and sleeping with who and are reminded of some truely great people who shaped entertainment history. Besides that, it's 2 less minutes I'm forced to watch the Brangelina love fest that will undoubtedly be going on in the front row. We get it! You have big lips and he's fertile. Go adopt another kid. But this time, see if you can exchange Ryan Secrest for one. Having to watch his akward interactions with celebrities is painful an inhumane.

  • Posted By: brandtschmidt @ 02/01/2008 2:22:46 PM

    Comment: I echo some of the other sentiments here that I think the Academy Awards is a complete waste of resources. A bunch of rich, famous, self-important people who get way more credit than they deserve from society deciding that they need to award each other for doing their jobs? And then we get all excited about what they are wearing to the event? No thanks. However, I also agree that they should be allowed to go on if there is an audience. I'll just watch something else.

    • Posted By: im.thatoneguy @ 02/02/2008 04:01:43

      Comment: Last I checked every field in which one individual can make a notable contribution to the public sphere in one way or another has awards and award ceremonies. Authors, Soldiers, Doctors, Scientists, filmmakers, School Teachers, Entrepreneurs, Painters, Journalists, Philantropists, Civil Servants, Car Manufacturers-- Everybody whose work can stand out above the rest is often elligible for some sort of award by their peers.

      The Academy Awards if anything is the one time every year when Merit is actaully awarded. It's not who wore the most expensive dress or who slept with whom. It's about the work. Whether you're the sound editor or an independent short animation director you're judged by your work not if you discreetly leaked a sex tape or lost your pet chihuahua.

      And I think if you go back through the last century of award winners you'll find significant and notable contributions to culture as recipients of those awards. The importance of which is still felt in the public consciousness.

      Hollywood is a lot of entertainment and fluff. A way to kill some time but it's also been a huge social influence and directing force for not just the US but the world's culture for better or worse. I wouldn't be so quick to write off those award winners as a bunch of self-important rich people. Like it or not they are a huge influence of change and can be a powerful force for good in the public's debate. Last year's Documentary Award practically single handedly won its 'star' a Nobel prize.

      */ Dives off of high horse for cover.

  • Posted By: im.thatoneguy @ 02/01/2008 2:02:22 PM

    Comment: The oscars are about recognizing the work in all fields of the industry by the best and brightest regardless if they are artists who work through technology or artists who work through the human instrument.

    They are first and foremost an awards ceremony. If you just want a comedy hour--tune in to your favorite comedian and watch one of their stand up routines I guarantee you it'll be more entertaining. Most people just want to watch to see movie stars, that's fine. But the awards ceremony shouldn't be created first and foremost to entertain.

  • Posted By: Dr. Hoffman @ 02/01/2008 12:03:34 PM

    Comment: Personally, I love the Oscars--the good, bad and ugly. Part of the fun is groaning along and complaining. As a movie fan, I also like to see each and every award, from Best Pic down to live action short. Yes there are more important and serious things going on in the world, but there's nothing wrong with taking a break from that now and then.

  • Posted By: newsweek is still publishing? @ 02/01/2008 11:05:17 AM

    Comment: Shorten Newsweek. Eliminate Peyser's column.. Let's eliminate the Pulitzers, Peabodys, too. And definitely shorten the Nobel Peace Prize Awards

  • Posted By: SCazzz @ 02/01/2008 9:53:09 AM

    Comment: Marc, let me preface my comments with the admission that I have not watched the Oscars in years. That being said, I think your article (and many of the "holier than thou" posted comments) proceeds from the misguided position that the Oscars are or should be taken seriously. Just like the movies this awards show celebrates, it is merely entertainment. And like all entertainment, there's the good and the bad, the classic and the class-less. While you may not find the Oscars memorable or spectacular and I choose to not even watch, clearly, this and other award shows have their fan base. Who are we to suggest that these folks should be denied their annual "starfest?" In short, leave it alone. If the show is that bad then the fans will stop watching. When the fans disappear and the advertising dollars dry up, this and all the other silly self serving award shows will disappear in their own natural time. Lighten up, it's just TV.

    • Posted By: EE7011 @ 02/01/2008 14:21:24

      Comment: Well written comment, SCazz.

  • Posted By: idiophonebox @ 02/01/2008 9:48:19 AM

    Comment: I don't think it's fair to say the creators of best animated short should be cut from the show when they definitely put as much, if not more, time and effort into their work as famous actors who are recognized in the telecast. Being on tv for 30 seconds gives them and their work more exposure and credibility whereas it's a drop in the bucket for an established actor. If the show's too long, don't watch it.

  • Posted By: cord740503 @ 02/01/2008 9:12:51 AM

    Comment: Only in the movie business do people expect to get award after award for doing their work. Most people work much harder everyday and do not expect to be thanked, pampered and congratulated by the world. I think these people are egotistical individuals who have a very inflated sense of self worth, which makes them come across as morons most of the time. Watch the Oscars? I don't think so. I would much rather read up on the issues that really matter in order to help me decide who to vote for this November.

  • Posted By: dillet @ 01/31/2008 11:58:55 PM

    Comment: I'm waiting for the day that Hollywood stops giving itself awards and more awards, and starts channeling all that wasted money into philanthopic projects that actually help people. I'm sick of the wealthy and famous who live only to gather more wealth and fame, when so many poor and disabled and unemployed and sick are struggling just to live. (I know I'm a dreamer....but I'm not the only one).

  • Posted By: sg114ttnw @ 01/31/2008 9:50:46 PM

    Comment: Who cares? I mean, really?

    Here's a show about other people, living lives other than ours, yours. Other people who have nothing to do in our day-to-day lives, and we''re going to spend four hours of our time watching them?

    Who cares?

    Are our lives so boring that we have to live vicariously through other peoples? Have you heard the one about Lindsey Lohan? Britney Spears? Paris?

    These are role models? These are people we look up to?

    Come one.... Would you really want to live next door to these people?

    I'll ask again, are our lives that boring? Is your life that boring?

    • Posted By: skm1 @ 02/02/2008 07:35:11

      Comment: sg114......bravo, well said. i could personally give a flying leap what Britney or any of her fellow band of fools is doing or saying. And Paris, she is the worst. God almighty, and she had the audacity to call herself the Audrey Hepburn of our generation.........i weap for our children.......

  • Posted By: dr doug @ 01/31/2008 9:46:00 PM

    Comment: I'll watch if Angelina goes, if Love Hewitt goes, if Jessica Biel goes (but that that little pipsqueak Justin). I even wish Jessica Simpson would go. Low-cut dresses, nice babes. Hand out some awards. Watch something else in PIP as well. Then it's all good!

  • Posted By: writergirl1 @ 01/31/2008 9:31:15 PM

    Comment: Regardless of the show's length and sometimes dreadful comedy, this is one event us "middle class schmo's" who support the movies can sit back and enjoy the glitzy glam of the movie world... I agree that cutting out some of the non-essential awards would be an appropriate change-- but don't rob all of us little people of sitting at home in our jammies the chance to cheer (or jeer) the best (or worse depending on your perspective) of Tinseltown... I for one am looking forward to another few hours guessing who will wear what, what movie/actor/director/writer, etc. will win and what movie might be worth renting when it comes out on DVD.

  • Posted By: quiet man's wife @ 01/31/2008 9:28:30 PM

    Comment: whoa, a few of you got a wee bit too upset (and vicious). Sadly, I agree with Marc. I used to love the Oscars, the stars, the dresses, etc. But over the years it's gotten deadly dull and stiff. Soooo I don't watch it. I read the highlights (and lowlights) on msn.com the next day. I prefer to watch the Kennedy Center Honors, for example, if I'm spending an hour or 2 watching an "awards" show- it's much more entertaining. The Oscars may be going the way of the Miss America broadcast.

  • Posted By: quiet man's wife @ 01/31/2008 9:24:40 PM

    Comment: whoa, some of you got a wee bit too upset (and vicious). It's a show. But sadly, I agree with Marc. I used to love watching the Oscars, the stars, the dresses. However, over the years it's gotten deadly dull and stiff. Soooo I don't watch it. I read the highlights (and lowlights) the next day on msn.com. The Kennedy Center Honors are one of the much more enjoyable "awards" show if I want to spend an hour (or 2) in front of the TV.

  • Posted By: hillary2008 @ 01/31/2008 9:14:40 PM

    Comment: Only a butt scratching, fart sniffing, gut expanding, hasn't seen his dick in 10 years since he's a straight guy would write such mindless crap.

  • Posted By: jvm1975 @ 01/31/2008 8:41:10 PM

    Comment: Are you kidding?! You can't remember anything memorable from the last five years? Last year's show was the funniest thing I had seen on TV in years. Ellen was awesome. When she handed a script to Martin Scorsese, and made Steven Speilberg take a picture of her and Clint Eastwood. Then when she mocking the show itself about how long it was when she was vaccuuming and found someone's rolling papers!!

    All that aside, some people really like watching the speeches and seeing their favorite movies and actors being recognized for their hard work.

    Just because you don't like it don't ruin it for those who do. I agree with MileHighHappy. Learn to use your remote and change the channel.

  • Posted By: jvm1975 @ 01/31/2008 8:40:30 PM

    Comment: Are you kidding?! You can't remember anything memorable from the last five years? Last year's show was the funniest thing I had seen on TV in years. Ellen was awesome. When she handed a script to Martin Scorsese, and made Steven Speilberg take a picture of her and Clint Eastwood. Then when she mocking the show itself about how long it was when she was vaccuuming and found someone's rolling papers!!

    All that aside, some people really like watching the speeches and seeing their favorite movies and actors being recognized for their hard work.

    Just because you don't like it don't ruin it for those who do. I agree with MileHighHappy. Learn to use your remote and change the channel.

  • Posted By: SimiCyclist @ 01/31/2008 8:37:46 PM

    Comment: Hey Marc! Things must be really slow today.

  • Posted By: MileHighHappy @ 01/31/2008 6:08:34 PM

    Comment: Here's an idea: don't watch it. Some of us like them.

    • Posted By: rogmeister7489 @ 02/01/2008 17:42:01

      Comment: The notion that people should not criticize a show because "they don't have to watch it" is a very droll comment. If the author were saying that it should be outlawed then you would have a point. He is merely stating his opinion about the show. I share his opinion and stopped watching the ponderous, boring show over a decade ago.

      If you like the show, tell us what you think is good about it. That's more entertaining than getting your feelings all hurt because we happen to not like something that you like. Grow up.

      • Posted By: guyc26 @ 02/02/2008 11:33:21

        Comment: Rog, you are so right

    • Posted By: myidea1959 @ 01/31/2008 21:06:36

      Comment: i agree...if you don't like the show, don't watch it, and how did you ever get a job with Newsweek? How disappointing.

 
 
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