oscarvaganza.

sadness.
the oscars have come and gone another year.
some initial thoughts, post-show:

• ryan gosling should sit in the front row of every awards show, regardless of whether he's nominated or involved in any way (i.e. the espys, nobel peace prize, etc.) he is that fantastic.
• it's fitting that three highest profiled winners gave three of the classiest speeches (helen, forest, martin); granted, they've had plenty of time to rehearse.
• great dresses: penelope, helen, kate, reese, jada, rachel.
• not-so-great dresses: kirsten, anne, beyonce.
• six reasons to watch the oscars: george, ken, gael, ryan, marky mark and clive.
• one more: no brad pitt.
• dear oscar show producer: the new layout of awards? not conducive to the attention span. you need to hook in the viewers who aren't sure they want to be watching in the first place. categories like 'art direction' are not the way to do that (no offense to the art direction nominees -- but i realize i am in the minority in terms of viewers who care.) start with a bang (always have george clooney open the show or ensure that whoever wins the first award will do/say something incredibly outrageous/thought-provoking.) we like action. even if it revolves around hundreds of people who sit for 4 hours.
• ryan seacrest: he. is. pointless.
• things that have worn out their welcome: MONTAGES, kirsten's bangs, barbie hair.
• things that are funny: meryl streep's glare, the tuneful ode to comedy, jennifer hudson's bolero jacket, interviewers who attempt to ask serious questions on the red carpet (lisa ling, i am talking to you. we know you're smart. this is not the forum in which to prove it.)