The Oscars: Highlights and Observations

The 81st Annual Academy Awards had a somewhat different feel from past shows. This one was less glitzy and rather joyless.

The show looked different, too. There were a lot of set changes. The orchestra was on the stage, rather than below in an orchestra pit. The seating also was different. At the front where the nominees were seated, the audience wasn't in straight rows. It was more of a semi-circle arrangement.

Missing from this year's show was one of my favorite parts of past broadcasts, clips of old films.

HIGHLIGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

Hugh Jackman, Host: Overall, I thought he did a good job. He was classy. His opening number, singing and dancing, was enjoyable. Still, I think a comedian is better suited to the job of hosting the Awards.

Best Supporting Actress: The first award to be presented was Best Supporting Actress. Five past winners -- Eva Marie Saint, Whoopi Goldberg, Tilda Swinton, Goldie Hawn, and Angelica Huston -- were the presenters. Each woman was assigned to say a few words about one of the five nominees. All five former winners were on stage as the winner, Penelope Cruz, came up to accept her award for her work in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. This way of presenting was a dramatic departure from past shows. Very different. I liked it.

Not Funny Enough Moment: Tina Fey and Steve Martin were presenters for Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. They were kind of funny, but not really.

Political Moment: There was more than a hint of politics when Dustin Lance Black won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Milk. Black talked about hoping to marry one day. In his acceptance speech, he said, "Most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told they are less than by their churches, or by the government, or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value. And that no matter what everyone tells you, God does love you, and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights federally across this great nation of ours." Transcript and video here.

Funniest Moment: Ben Stiller and Natalie Portman were introduced to present the award for Best Cinematography. Stiller was unrecognizable wearing a wig, long beard, and dark glasses. He was dressed and acting like Joaquin Phoenix did during his recent appearance on Late Show with David Letterman. He was chewing gun. He took it out of his mouth and put it on the podium. While Portman read the nominees for Best Cinematography, Stiller wandered around the stage. When it was time to announce the winner, Stiller returned to the podium and put the gum back in his mouth.

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Best Commercial Moment: The Culver's commercial was aired shortly after 8:00 PM CT. Unnecessary Moment: About an hour and twenty minutes into the show, Hugh Jackman led a large musical number, singing a medley of songs from movie musicals. Beyonce and High School Musical stars took part. I thought it was unnecessary. Jackman is a very talented Broadway performer, but this isn't Broadway. At the end of the number, Jackman shouted, "The musical is back." I like musicals. I have nothing against them, but I didn't see the point of sticking this musical number in the broadcast, though it made for a good opportunity to take a bathroom break. Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Walken, Kevin Kline, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Alan Arkin, and Joel Grey were the past Supporting Actor winners to present the award for Best Supporting Actor award. Heath Ledger won for The Dark Knight. Accepting the award for him were his mother, father, and sister, Kate. All spoke. Saddest Moment: Of course, it was terribly sad for Heath Ledger to win the award and not be there to accept it. Kate Ledger said, "We proudly accept this award on behalf of your beautiful Matilda." Matilda is Heath Ledger's daughter. Annoying Moment: Bill Maher presented the award in the documentary category. His film, Religulous, wasn't nominated. Maher made a stupid remark bashing religion. Maher said, "Someday we all do have to confront the notion that our silly gods cost us too much." No surprise there. Circus Moment: Philippe Petit, subject of the winning Documentary Feature, Man on a Wire, balanced his Oscar on his chin.  Worst Set: During technical awards, the backdrop was like a Hollywood sound stage. It looked like a garage or an airplane hangar. Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Eddie Murphy presented the award to Jerry Lewis. It was a very brief segment. Lewis' speech was short. It was a missed opportunity. Lewis did get a standing ovation. Boring Musical Moments: Musical numbers preceded the presentation of the Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Boring. The slew of performers remained on stage when "Jai Ho" was announced the winner of Best Original Song. Angelina Jolie - Brad Pitt Overload: How many times did we have to see the golden couple? The camera was always going to them. Enough already! I'm not criticizing Pitt and Jolie. It was the director's doing. Going Nuts from Boredom Moment: At two and a half hours into the broadcast, I was bored out of my skull. I used to really enjoy Oscar night. This was so boring. In Memoriam Moment: Queen Latifah sang "I'll Be Seeing You" while the photo montage of the departed rolled. It was difficult to see some of the images. They flashed on a number of screens at the back of the stage. The camera wasn't tight enough on images. This segment was botched. Another note- When Charlton Heston appeared on screen, there wasn't much applause. Acceptance Speeches Not Interrupted: I realized that the orchestra didn't interrupt winners when they reached the limit of their allotted speaking time. I assume some went over the 45 seconds or whatever it was. I don't think anyone told the orchestra to shut up so they could go on speaking. Best Director: Reese Witherspoon presented. Why? Weird. Danny Boyle won for Slumdog Millionaire. At this point, it was clear that this would be Slumdog's night. Best Actress: Sophia Loren, Shirley MacLaine, Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, and Marion Cotillard were the presenters. As these former winners spoke of the nominees, most of the nominated actresses teared up. And the Oscar goes to... Kate Winslet, The Reader. Touching Moment: During Kate Winslet's speech, when she thanked her parents, she noted that they were somewhere in the room. She asked her dad to whistle so she'd know where he was. He did. She waved and said, "I love you." Best Actor: Robert DeNiro, Ben Kingsley, Adrien Brody, Anthony Hopkins, and Michael Douglas were the presenters. And the Oscar goes to... Sean Penn, Milk. Penn said, "You commie, homo-loving sons of guns!" He talked about the great shame of those who voted for the gay marriage ban. Blah, blah, blah. Penn said he was proud to live in country that elected an "elegant" man to be president. Blah, blah, blah. What is with the Academy voting to give this award to Penn and not Mickey Rourke? It's all politics. At least Penn acknowledged the brilliance of Rourke's performance. "Mickey Rourke rises again," Penn said. "And he is my brother." So Penn pulled the upset. I really didn't want to hear Penn get up there and babble. Best Picture: Steven Spielberg presented the award to Slumdog Millionaire. This was one of the most boring Academy Awards broadcast ever. EVER! I was hoping to see Mickey Rourke get an Oscar. That would have been entertaining. That was the only thing that helped keep me watching for all of the torturous three and a half hours. I wasted my Sunday night. I haven't seen Slumdog Millionaire. I'll wait to rent it, or maybe I'll just take a pass on it altogether.