Jim: You may enjoy the "In Memoriam" segment of the annual Oscar
show, but last night even that didn't go right. For instance,
where was the tribute to Edie Adams? She was the ultimate
Hollywood trooper, yet nothing, nada, zilch -- which is the way
it is in that increasingly empty world. The host Hugh Jackman was
fine -- if you didn't mind that he disappeared for the longest
stretches. There were more commercial interruptions than I can
recall -- desperate efforts to shake out some cash while it still
has some value. The tributes from five previous winners to the
evening five nominees in the best acting categories gave new
meaning to overkill and mutual adoration. The show managed to
accomplish a paradox -- pack too much while seeming to be going
nowhere with nothing going on. Sensory overload and attention
deficit where everyone's a zombie. Oh well, there was blessed
little politics, notwithstanding the comments of Milk's
winners (Sean Penn suddently appreciating elegance?) and Bill
Maher reminding everyone what makes him a perpetual jerk. Luckily
the children and larger cast of Slumdog Millionaire rose
above their surroundings, and who can forget the East German born
winner in the short film category who in his happy acceptance
remarks expressed the delight of someone who had been born
"behind" the Berlin Wall but was now standing in center of his
childhood dreams. At least one person had a good time.
