Features
Headlines
Search
Loading ...
Archives
I couldn’t be more delighted with the selection of Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin as the 2009 Oscar hosts. Martin remains the smartest, sharpest, most urbane Oscar host I’ve seen in my lifetime, and the pairing of his wit with Baldwin’s goofier charm should ensure a ceremony that’s adult, but not too elitist. Either way, it’ll be more my cup of tea than Hugh Jackman’s style.
Of course, another reason I’m down with the choice is that it’s only one “30 Rock” cast member removed from the pairing I’ve been pleading for. I was in favor of Tina Fey because she had proven chemistry with Martin, plus current pop appeal — Baldwin has both, plus a higher Academy profile (lest we forget, he is an Oscar nominee himself).
So, in a way, Oscar producers Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic have improved on my suggestion. But I was interested to read Shankman admit, in this EW interview following the announcement, that they actually tried for Martin and Fey.
It was a really quick discussion and it was mostly about “do you think that could work?”‘ It wasn’t that she (Fey) turned us down but her work schedule right in that time, she’s writing the last of her shows, and we realized then that it wouldn’t work. But they were so great on the show together (the Oscars last year) and he’d done 30 Rock. Once again there were lots of discussions in there.
There are other nice tidbits in the interview, though Shankman is, of course, keeping his cards close to his chest. He explains the double-host system is in the interests of streamlining the show, and that Baldwin and Martin will be used both together and separately, which sounds sensible to me.
Meanwhile, he deflects potential criticism (yawn) of the all-white, all-male pairing by promising a “multi-racial presence” at the show, and says pundits were too quick to assume his presence automatically meant a musical-leaning show:
The thing I think is compelling is there had been a lot of speculation surrounding the hiring of me as a signal that there might be more of the song/dance. But I don’t want musical numbers unless there’s an organic fit into the show. I think by doing this we’re signaling to the community that the Academy hasn’t lost their mind but the show will still be fresh and young, because Alec has such a young following.
I can hear more than a few sighs of relief there. Finally, he completely wins my trust by saying, “I want the show to feel that we are continuing to build on the Oscars and I’m not trying to make the MTV Movie Awards.” Suddenly, I’m looking forward to March 7 so much more than I was before.
6 responses so far
1 11-04-2009 at 5:33 am
Loyal said...
I realized yesterday when Martin/Baldwin were announced that I was also one person away with the suggestions of Fey and Streep earlier in the season.
I had no idea Alec Baldwin had “such a young following.” Bit of a nonsensical comment by Shankman. If they’re looking for a spike in young viewers, they need movies that lean young. Doesn’t matter who the host is if you nominate The Reader and Capote.
2 11-04-2009 at 6:31 am
Alex said...
I’m relatively young and am a major fan of Baldwin’s – seen nearly all his movies, seen every episode of 30 Rock several times.
I think Capote is quite an underappreciated film. It was quite dour and morose but was well scripted, acted and directed. What’s Bennett Miller been up to lately?
The Reader is the turd of all turds.
3 11-04-2009 at 7:23 am
Loyal said...
What’s relatively young? I prefer Infamous to Capote but they’re both good. But that’s not really the essence of the conversation.
Capote had made $25.4m leading up to the Oscar broadcast and only weekend played in over 1000 theatres, hoovering around a 200 theatre average for most of its run.
So, you can get Timberlake to host but if the films aren’t widely seen (blame the studios, blame audiences, blame whomever) it doesn’t really matter who’s pushing the show along in terms of ratings.
Personally, I want a good show and a nice crop of nominees, ratings be damned. But then again, I’m not producing it.
4 11-04-2009 at 8:56 am
Robert Hamer said...
Yes, yes, don’t we all love Steve Martin; just such a talented, charming and funny actor that we love having him as a host. But no Oscar nominations for him. God forbid.
5 11-04-2009 at 11:25 am
SHAAAARK said...
Steve martin isn’t the greatest actor (though I think he might have deserved a nod for Roxanne?), but he’s a damn good showman. Also, the Academy would be remiss in not allowing him at least a brief banjo performance.
As for Baldwin, much of 30 Rock’s fanbase skews young, and SNL, which a ton of people my age watch, often featured Baldwin at his funniest and most charming. The two of them represent a bridging of the gap, being themselves old, but liked by people of all ages.
6 11-04-2009 at 9:46 pm
richard said...
thank god he said no musical numbers unless they’re organic to the show. please no more baz luhrmann debacles.