Missing the Point


Last night the 77^th Annual Academy Awards ended 3 hours and 10 minutes after it started (the shortest show since 1994). The next day the critics were all ready jumping over Chris Rock’s performance as host. David Bianculli of the New York Daily News wrote “…Rock was neither edgy nor funny enough, and some of his remarks were considered mean enough to prompt a rebuttal — by no less than Sean Penn. Call it a two-star telecast.” Adam Buckman of The New York Post wrote, “WHAT was Chris Rock's contribution to Oscar history last night? He said "ass" a lot. Otherwise, his overly hyped hosting stint was woefully undistinguished.”
Undistinguished? The Oscars have not been distinguishing for years. Gone are the days of long flowing gowns, black ties and tails to a ceremony. Now one can’t even be sure when and where a breast is going to fall out of dress, but one can be sure that it will. Let us not forget the goose dress worn by Björk at the 73^rd Academy Awards Ceremony. It doesn’t get more distinguished then that. Let’s face it, no one can be Johnny Carson or Billy Crystal, but Producer Gil Cates wanted to draw a younger crowd to the telecast. We won’t know the truth until the ratings are released on Wednesday, but Rock made his point by interviewing people at the Magic Johnson Multiplex in Harlem on how out of touch the critics and the Academy of Motion Pictures are with what young people enjoy.
Was Chris Rock edgy or gritty? Probably not as much as he could have been, but then if he was to be what Buckman quoted as “… the brash young comic once known as the funniest man in America…” then the FCC would have had to fine ABC and its affiliates for Rock’s comedy. Kudos should be given to Gil Cates for attempting to make people watch in a year where no one wanted to see any of the movies. They are definitely moving in the right direction. The critics need to calm down for apparently they did not get the message. And to Sean Penn who looked like he crawled out of bed to be there last night and felt he had to acknowledge that Jude Law was a “REAL ACTOR”, Chris Rock is a comedian. He does standup based on what situation he’s in. I’m sure if Jude Law were there, he would have laughed understanding it was a joke. Those who did not are as out of touch as the rest of the Academy. Then again, I’m trying to explain this to a man who thought Madonna was the love of his life. And Mr. Penn, next year wear a tie.
Cedric Bodley ©April 2005 all right reserved.