BRIAN VINER: It’s no wonder Sky decided to shut down the Oscars broadcast…who wants to be there for this pompous wake fest?
Only once have I witnessed the entire Academy Awards from start to finish.
It was 1995 and I was at a showbiz party in New York where we were all invited to throw in $50 and make our predictions for each category, with the winner taking the pot.
My fellow guests watching the live televised event included Christopher Reeve and the amazing director Sidney Lumet.
It may have been the last truly classic Oscar year, with Pulp Fiction, The Shawshank Redemption, Forrest Gump, Four Weddings And A Funeral and Quiz Show all vying for best picture.
(Unfortunately, I chose Shawshank before Gump and finished last.)
Sky decided to stop broadcasting the Oscars after taking over the rights in 2004
These days, the “visibility” of the Oscars hinges on something dramatic happening, like in 2017 when Best Picture was wrongly given to “La La Land” instead of “Moonlight,” or when Will Smith presenter Chris Rock was slapped in the face gave after making a joke about Smith’s wife.
Otherwise, the ceremony has become unbearable as confident actors, directors, writers and producers use their moment in the spotlight to preach about what may be the latest in fashion wake-up call.
No wonder Sky has decided to stop broadcasting the Oscars after 20 years – and I’m completely unimpressed.
Actors have always loved standing in the stands.
It’s been half a century since Marlon Brando sent Sacheen Littlefeather (pictured) to turn down his Best Actor award for The Godfather in protest at Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans
It’s been half a century since Marlon Brando sent Sacheen Littlefeather to turn down his Best Actor award for The Godfather in protest at Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans.
But such behavior was the exception at the time. Now it’s the norm.
Nothing devalues the crazy hustle and bustle quite like pompous stars who, through affected reporters, have led them to believe their own publicity and subjected us to their pomposity.
It is possible that another broadcaster will take over. But if they expect people to stay up half the night like they used to do when the Oscars still mattered, then they weren’t watching either.