Oscar Nods

Last night was the first time I can remember I was actually excited to watch the Oscars. Maybe it’s because I’m getting closer to graduation and being thrust into the “real” world where I hope to be working in some of the very areas highlighted by the Academy Awards. Perhaps it’s because in my more fanciful moments I actually foster aspirations of being on stage at the Kodak Theatre thanking my mamma just like everyone else last night. All told though, the simple fact of the matter is that I was just excited to hear what Jon Stewart had to say about Hollywood. Stewart has fostered a reputation as a leftward leaning satirist, which surely helped him get asked to host, but the academy might have thought a little more about his leftward leaning than his satirical nature. Hollywood likes to have its big celebration, pat each other on the back, tell everyone how great they are, and how important the work they are doing is. Stewart did a pretty good job, from where I was sitting, of making fun of them for it. Moreover, just about the closest thing to a political comment that he made over the course of the three and a half hour extravaganza was a congratulatory statement to the members of the academy for “for once voting on a winner.” The unquestionable low point of the evening was the Three 6 Mafia winning Best Original Song for “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp.” To which Stewart replied… “for those of you out there who are keeping score, let’s keep this straight; Martin Scorsese 0, Three 6 Mafia 1.” Hmmmm. But it’s all said and done, the stars, winners and losers, are at home nursing their hangovers, and Jon Stewart will undoubtedly be making fun of the Academy for choosing him to host as he gets back into the swing of things tonight on The Daily Show.