Holden - David Letterman was far and away my favorite Oscar host of the past twelve years, no question. ... the popular and most of the critical reaction was that he did a horrible job. I couldn't disagree more. But I suppose you have to dig Letterman to begin with. I do....
That's how I feel about Whoopi. I never saw the Letterman one, but of course, you disagree with the critics. I only saw her host 1 Oscar show, being out of the country for most of my life. In THAT show, I don't remember her (this is the one where she wore this black velvety thing and had pearls or something holding her hair back), that she was out to cut-up. she DID crack jokes, and I enjoyed them, was what i said. They were funny enough to me - just as Letterman was good enough to you. I remember particularly that the critics were pleased with her very classy performance. I agreed. She kept it classy AND told jokes that I enjoyed. She didn't bounce all over the stage singing at the top of her lungs betting on a wink and a "bad-da-da!" to make the audience laugh.
also, i didn't say we couldn't or shouldn't have laughs or that things don't change. i said there was no RULE to say there should always be laughs, or necessarily, that they should always be the hoopla that Billy Crystal introduced in the last few shows. and you and sades both seem to agree that the dance numbers were over the top and that recently they've cut that aspect cuz they realize it was silly - which is my point. it's silly. i have no desire to see more silliness that makes me fast forward or leave the room and come back only for the awards when they're handed out.
i enjoy a funny presenter as much as the next person. as for not having an audrey hepburn - she's an example. sometimes that almighty factual attitude of yours does nothing to help your argument, I might add. we have great actors and actresses and no, no audrey hepburn, but some really great performances out there. otherwise why the heck would you be watching film? i feel that old hollywood magic she had when i see a woman like Cate Blanchett, Isabella Rossellini, and Kevin Spacey walking around.
i will agree that the ceremony is really just that - a show. but it is a tradition and part of the history of film, which we all claim to love. it can incarnate itself in any fashion it chooses. my point was just that i'd rather see it classy and funny than tacky and cheesy every friggin' year because supposedly Crystal's version is THE version. I gave my reasons. But however it turns out, I'm satisfed that it goes on even if i don't watch it every year. and i'm glad to see people i want to see succeed get their nods, even if it doesn't mean as much as it used to.
and, per the title of this thread - i don't mind at all if Whoopi does it. Cause she makes ME laugh. And others too, cause I've watched with others who laughed at the same time. But of course, like Holden's preference for Letterman, "your mileage may vary."
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