There are several television events that I prioritize over and above any other activity. Shows that have, over the years, caused me to skip meals, revise my schedules, forgo much-needed sleep or even call in sick for work. He he. These are the Wimbledon finals (for both men and women), the Olympics opening ceremonies, day four of the Masters, a basketball championship involving my alma mater, the American Idol finals and the Oscars. And if I were asked to choose which of these is most important to me, I would pick the Academy Awards in a split second. Why? Because I am admittedly star struck, bewitched by Hollywood and all the fame, fortune and glamor it offers. Though I cannot describe myself as a true-blue movie fan (especially lately since I discovered blogging), I am a self-confessed sucker for “triumphant moments”, scenes that tug at your emotions for their genuine celebration of victory, displaying jubilation and humility at the same time.

I prepared well in advance for this year’s Oscars. I marked my ~~calendar~~ planner, set several
ringing reminders on my cell phone, and even postponed some blogging appointments. I had a full, early breakfast (it was televised “live” at 9:00 in our part of the world) and plopped myself in front of the TV for another memorable show. After all, it is a bittersweet event this year. With the writers’ strike looming over Hollywood’s skies, the annual extravaganza was uncertain until a couple of weeks ago. Fortunately, the strike was resolved and the green light was given. However, judging from what I witnessed a few hours ago, the clouds of the strike seemed to have a longer effect on Hollywood’s spirits than expected.

It was a mediocre Oscars. Though there were plenty of stars on stage and more in the audience, the event was lackluster to me. There was something missing that I couldn’t put my finger on. Jon Stewart was okay but I still prefer Billy Crystal, or Whoopi. The stage was great but the performers were boring – five dull nominated songs that almost put me to sleep. Where were the lavish production numbers we are accustomed to? Even the winners, though highly deserving, were quite unexciting and no acceptance speech stirred my interest. In fact, I found myself surfing the channels for other worthy programs during the entire Oscars stretch, something I didn’t do before. Not even during replays! How I miss those emotionally charged Oscar moments of years before, like Halle Berry’s win and acceptance speech, Adrien Brody’s surprise the year after, or even last year’s win by Martin Scorsese. The Best Actress victory by Marion Cotillard over highly favored Julie Christie was a surprise of sorts, but then she just mumbled a speech I couldn’t understand. No excitement there was well.

Maybe it was the absence of big stars among the nominees (except for George Clooney) that was the culprit. Or the fact that the results were almost predictable. Maybe the production team was too pressed for time after the lifting of the strike just two weeks before. Or maybe it was just me, I was expecting too much. Others may have loved the show and enjoyed Jon Stewart’s jokes no end. Anyway, boring or not, it still remains as my favorite and definitely look forward to the 81st next year.

(By the way, this Oscars post is a full circle blog entry for me, having started this site almost a year ago with the same subject.)

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Oscars 2008: ‘the greatest show on earth’ turns dull

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