Small wonder at the dismal ratings for Oscar Night! It used to be such a happy occasion when hosted by such as Bob Hope and, more recently, Billy Crystal. Everyone was united in having a good time and celebrating with such outstanding stars as Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor, Olivia de Havilland, Katherine Hepburn, etc. It was a joy to watch.
Sadly, it has deteriorated into political lectures by hypocritical “holier than thou” actresses. Hollywood is a mess, but who else is to blame? Even the comperes [hosts], from their supposedly neutral stance, made snide remarks about the elected president of the USA. Many of their complaints are justified but the Oscar Awards is not the forum to air them. Fortunately such superb actresses as Jodie Foster and Julia Roberts distanced themselves from the fray.
Hollywood hypocrisy is rampant. The top stars all belong to the reviled “one percent” but deflect any criticism by claiming to belong to the Democratic Party, since Democrats never criticize Democrats.
I will definitely not be tuned in to the next Academy Awards, nor will I watch any movies featuring Meryl Streep, Frances McDormand or Ashley Judd, all excellent actresses who believe themselves to be oracles of wisdom but who should stick to their chosen profession.
Incidentally, the wittiest tongue-in-cheek opening remark by far was by the honored recipient who said: “I did it all by myself!”
John R. Ibbotson
Peachtree City, Ga.
