Unofficial Academy Awards Discussion Board

Damien wrote:It seems as if Shankman is going after the gay teenage boy demographic, but he had them at "Welcome To The 82nd Annual Academy Awards."

Mister Tee wrote:I'm thinking the comparison to Allan Carr, which may work as far as the pure dismal quality, is inexact. Carr was catering to a dwindling demographic -- people who were actually excited to see Merv Griffin, or "Ryan and Farrah together". These people had been turned off to movies pretty much since Jack Valenti amended the Production Code, so Carr's bow to them seemed a hopelessly past-it notion.

But Shankman is tryuing to bring in a demographic that's NEVER watched or cared about the Oscars -- the young folk whose interest in movies is utterly limited to the crud that infests the malls weekend after weekend. It makes sense he's staging a tribute to John Hughes, because Hughes is the 20-30 years ago miner of that stratum. Such crud movies existed when I was a kid, too -- there were people whose greatest film-excitement was about stuff from Taras Bulba to You Only Live Twice -- but such persons, to my knowledge, never expressed the slimmest bit of interest in the Oscars. If they did express an opinion, it was disdain.

So, the difference is this: Carr was calling out to an Academy that was a has-been; Shankman is seeking one that never was.

anonymous wrote:FYI: I would not be rejoicing over the cutting of the Best Original Song numbers. I do believe the last time they didn't perform the original song nominees was in the infamous Allan Carr show since he had to make time for that hideous opening number.

Adam Shankman has a dance number or two planned so, yes, we have reasons to be afraid.

anonymous wrote:It's been confirmed: John Hughes will get a seperate tribute.

The death of John Hughes last year touched Hollywood in a way that only a very small number of talent can. In addition, Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Tom Sherak and Oscarcast producer Bill Mechanic both worked with Hughes. As did this year's hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. So there was no way because of these personal connections they'd relegate him to just a brief clip within the usual montage of people who've passed. (Not that the other dead people didn't deserve their own tributes, too.) Instead, the Oscars are planning a separate and special tribute to the writer-director-producer, complete with film and cast members. Steve Martin, of course, did the classic Planes Trains & Automobiles with Hughes, while Baldwin made the less well received She's Having A Baby. But I'm surprised that Alec has such fond memories. Years ago I did an interview with Baldwin, and he railed against Hughes for cutting most of his storyline from that pic. But time heals all wounds, I guess.

The death of John Hughes last year touched Hollywood in a way that only a very small number of talent can. In addition, Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Tom Sherak and Oscarcast producer Bill Mechanic both worked with Hughes. As did this year's hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. So there was no way because of these personal connections they'd relegate him to just a brief clip within the usual montage of people who've passed. (Not that the other dead people didn't deserve their own tributes, too.) Instead, the Oscars are planning a separate and special tribute to the writer-director-producer, complete with film and cast members. Steve Martin, of course, did the classic Planes Trains & Automobiles with Hughes, while Baldwin made the less well received She's Having A Baby. But I'm surprised that Alec has such fond memories. Years ago I did an interview with Baldwin, and he railed against Hughes for cutting most of his storyline from that pic. But time heals all wounds, I guess.