The annual Oscar telecast is too long, too boring and too filled with minor award presentations no one cares about.
But once in a while the ceremony delivers, big time. And those moments become part of the culture.
For me, that happened last year when the stars of “Once” performed their nominated duet “Falling Slowly.” They later picked up their statuettes with grace and humility.
But it got better.
Co-star Marketa Irglova wasn’t able to give her own thanks for the honor. Later, the show let her back on stage and speak her peace.
It made suffering through the rest of the telecast worthwhile.
So what Oscar moments stand out to you? (And let’s leave out David Niven and the streaker. Too easy!)
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
my favorite has to be Scorsese getting the oscar for ‘The Departed’. Although i really liked the film everybody knows that Raging Bull,Goodfellas, and ‘The Aviator’ should have won in previous years. seeing the film get multiple oscars that night was bittersweet
Yeah, when they screw up they try to overcompensate. I remember watching a Grammys telecast and old pro Bonnie Raitt won roughly two dozen awards!
This moment last year was one of my favorites also. I also enjoyed Julia Roberts telling the orchestra leader to put the baton down (I think she called him “baton boy”). She wasn’t going anywhere after she won the Oscar for best actress. And that was one awesome dress, I think it was vintage Valentino. Looking forward to Sunday night!
Rob Lowe + Snow White + “Proud Mary” = Oscar Greatness
In the 1978 Oscars, Vanessa Redgrave’s acceptance speech included a nasty bit of anti-semitism about “Zionist hoodlums”. Later in the show, Paddy Chayefsky (screenwriter of Network) was presenting the writing Oscars, but started by giving this speech:
“Before I get on to the writing awards, there’s a little matter I’d like to tidy up, at least if I expect to live with myself tomorrow morning. I would like to say — personal opinion, of course — that I’m sick and tired of people exploiting the occasion of the Academy Awards for the propagation of their own personal political propaganda. I would like to suggest to Miss Redgrave that her winning an Academy Award is not a pivotal moment in history, does not require a proclamation, and a simple “thank you” would have sufficed.”
What are the odds that anyone would give a speech like that now?
I wasn’t aware of Chayesfsky’s comments … amazing. Couldn’t agree more … and just one reason why people are turned off by the Oscars.
And no, no one would give a speech like that today – although was that a rhetorical question?
Actually, it was more a statement of fact.
And here’s the kicker- Redgrave’s speech was booed by the audience, and Chayefsky’s was applauded. That shows how much the Hollywood elite has changed in the last 30 years.
Julia Roberts spoke for about 4 minutes. Considering you’re supposed to only talk for 45 seconds and the band will cut you off not long after that because they’re instructed to do so, that really wasn’t called for. Let’s be honest, almost anyone else wouldn’t have been allowed to do it so I don’t see what she was complaining about.
Vivien Leigh getting her statue for GONE WITH THE WIND. (Of course, I didn’t watch it LIVE, but I saw it on youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zn-fPM4KS0&feature=PlayList&p=7DCB4B2C3AC951B7&index=6&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL
And Chayefsky’s speech sounds awesome.