Quick Thoughts on the 2009 Academy Awards

It’s been interesting reading what so many entertainment reporters have been saying about the most recent ceremony that Hollywood puts on to hand out awards to its own. I never forget that the purpose of the show is no different than what happens in school auditoriums at the end of their year. It’s just that with the people being entertainers and all, they like to do things up just a bit better.

While I joked to my brother that I was enjoying this year’s Tony telecast, the fact is that the very likable Hugh Jackman did pretty well. Unlike the hate that is being lauded on the musical numbers by many, I found them a refreshing break from the canned programs that we’ve had of late. Jackman carrying Anne Hathaway up on stage in the opening number was hilarious.

The funniest presenters of the night definitely were Steve Martin and Tina Fey. And Steve Martin. Here is the trick, academy writers: if you have people who understand how to do comedy, let them have funny lines, otherwise just do it straight. Tina and Steve definitely know how to do comedy.

I thought Ben Stiller’s jibe at Joaquin Phoenix was quite funny as well…for the first ten seconds or so. After that, I’d have liked a little more respect for the nominees as their names were read.

I have to confess that I’ve enjoyed Indian music since the sixties when the Beatles were so instrumental in introducing it to a broader audience. I was more than pleased to hear the selections from Slumdog Millionaire, but a bit cool with the mash-up with the song from Wall-E. Unlike many, I don’t mind that they used pared down versions of the songs because, frankly, many of them get a bit tedious after a while. I mean, not every year can have a Celine Dion beating her chest causing everyone to worry about whether or not she’ll do harm to the very REAL diamond hanging there. Mostly they are forgettable.

I mostly liked the idea of having five previous winners individually praise the nominees. Halle Berry showed everyone how to do it: as an actor, you memorize the lines. It was best when the presenter went slightly off-script and made it personal.

With most of the award winners obviously having paid attention to the “how to give your Oscar speech” video that gets sent out each year, we had fewer rambling name-lists than usual. Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.

On a similar note, thanks for the director for letting people give their speech. Not only did you give them 45 seconds instead of 20, but if they went a little over…so what? It’s their party.

And that’s about it. I enjoyed the show. I thought it was better than average, though I’d like to see more of the main host during the show for continuity sake. Johnny Carson is still a tough act to follow.