2021 Oscars: A Look Back

April 25, 2021 is the strangest Oscar telecast I've ever seen.   Its biggest issue was the producers' attempt to reinvent the wheel in their attempts to "simplify" or freshen up the ceremony.   Presenters were not only asked to present multiple categories, but were also forced to recite verbal diarrhea about the nominees or gush over them to the point of nausea.    Here is the most effective way to show the audience the power of a performance or to ratchet up suspense:   Show a clip of the acting nominees.  This produces suspense which in turn produces interest.   We see with our own eyes what made the performances special without a presenter telling us so.   

The acceptance speeches were encouraged to be long-winded and expansive, which many were.  The trade-off was the absence of clips and an In Memoriam segment in which the deceased's names and photos were shown so quickly the viewer could've sued for whiplash.    This is the first Oscars telecast in many a long day in which Best Picture wasn't presented last.   Nomadland won Best Picture with Best Actress and Best Actor still to go.   I understand the producers were anticipating closing the show with a poignant, emotional finale in which the late Chadwick Boseman was awarded the Best Actor Oscar.   It was not to be.   Anthony Hopkins snagged his second Best Actor Oscar for The Father.   He wasn't there to accept nor did he give his speech via satellite.  (Zoom acceptance speeches were not permitted).   The telecast ended with presenter Joaquin Phoenix announcing Hopkins as the winner and then accepting the award on his behalf.   End of show.   Peace out!

Here are the awards vs. my predictions.   Guess what?   I didn't fare well.

Best Picture:  Nomadland.   My prediction:  Nomadland

Best Actor:  Anthony Hopkins.   My prediction:  Chadwick Boseman (just like everyone else's prediction)

Best Actress:  Frances McDormand.  My prediction:  Carey Mulligan

Best Supporting Actor:  Daniel Kaluyya.  My prediction:  Daniel Kaluyya

Best Supporting Actress:  Youn Yuh-Jung.   My prediction:  Glenn Close (8th Oscar defeat)

Best Director:  Chloe Zhao.  My prediction:  Chloe Zhao

Best Original Screenplay:  Promising Young Woman.  My prediction:  Promising Young Woman

Best Adapted Screenplay:  The Father.  My prediction:  One Night in Miami

That's four out of eight in the major categories.   An underwhelming 50%.   

The telecast suffered a record low viewership.   Maybe there is no way to restore the Oscars to their glory.   By the time the Oscars bows, perhaps the viewing audience has had it with awards season.  Would nominating blockbusters help?   I would say no.   Would more people have a vested interest in seeing a smash hit film win vs. a smaller production?   They would still have to outlast a three-hour plus bloated ceremony in which the only thing that stays the same is the constant attempt to change the show.   Since this year's Oscars took place in Union Station in Los Angeles and was held in late April as opposed to February, it just felt odd all around.