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Awards aside, Oscars night always provides unexpected drama
2006-03-03
From winners sobbing uncontrollably, to shocking political outbursts, bizarre snubs and streakers, Oscar has seen it all, and Sunday's Academy Awards will likely provide fresh drama of its own. Organisers of Hollywood's biggest night are white-knuckled as they brace for unexpected drama or even scandal that could anger viewers or throw the finely-calibrated global telecast off schedule. But the raw emotion and the unscripted moments are also what makes Oscars night memorable. "The Oscars reward works of drama, so it's only natural that they also create memorable moments of high drama," said Academy Awards expert Tom O'Neil. In 1973 a naked man invaded the stage as actor David Niven was hosting the show, prompting him to quip: "The only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping... and showing his shortcomings." And two years later, a woman calling herself Sacheen Littlefeather stood before the stunned audience of the televised show when Marlon Brando won the best actor Oscar for "The Godfather," and refused it on his behalf to protest the movie industry's treatment of American Indians. In 2003, liberal US filmmaker Michael Moore scandalised America when he launched a vitriolic attack on US President George W. Bush for waging war in Iraq, during his acceptance speech for his best documentary Oscar for anti-gun documentary "Bowling for Columbine." During the same show, actor Adrien Brody stunned viewers and superstar Halle Berry by kissing her passionately on the lips as she presented his best actor statuette, creating an Oscars signature moment. Organisers of Sunday's 78th Oscars must be torn over whether they would rather see the highly-orchestrated show go exactly to plan, or whether they'd like a riveting moment that could boost sagging television ratings but that could also infuriate conservative America. "No-one wants a moment like the exposed breast of Janet Jackson to happen on stage or on the red carpet at the Oscars," said Robert Thompson, professor of pop culture and television at New York's Syracuse University. Two years ago, the singer's mammary popped out of her dress on live television during a dance routine at the American football Super Bowl, prompting a wave of public outrage and huge fines for the host TV network. Following that incident, Oscars organizers imposed a five-second broadcast delay, giving producers time to cut out any unexpected obscenities in the show that is broadcast in more than 150 countries. Producers are probably more worried about winners delivering potentially divisive political diatribes from the lectern when they receive their awards. In an Oscars year marked by a crop of films boasting potentially explosive political and social themes, including repressed homosexuality, US oil policy in the Middle East, freedom of political speech and Palestinian suicide bombers, there is no want of causes to champion. And with the likes of politically-outspoken superstar George Clooney nominated for three Oscars -- for the political drama "Good Night, and Good Luck" and the oil thriller "Syriana" -- there is a chance of him launching a barb at Bush. "I think there is probably some concern over a winner such as Clooney making a political speech that could offend some people," Thompson told AFP. "But then again, Hollywood already has a reputation in middle America as being part of vast liberal conspiracy and nothing's going to change that. "An outburst would probably just serve to create fireworks and boost ratings in future years," he said. Oscars' television ratings have been slipping for years amid an explosion of alternative media and because of the show's "stodgy" predictability, according to Thompson. Show producer Gil Cates has told nominees they have just 60 seconds to get from their seat to the stage and to complete their acceptance speech before the orchestra drowns them out. While he says he will not censor free speech, he makes it clear that he is running a global entertainment show, not a political soap-box for individuals. But the individuals of Hollywood are artists who are often passionate and unpredictable. Italian Roberto Benigni made a stir in 1999 when he euphorically leapt onto a chair and jumped from one seat to the next when he won the best actor Oscar for "Life Is Beautiful". In 2000 the irreverent creators of the animated show "Southpark," Trey Parker and Matt Stone," turned up on the red carpet in drag to poke fun at the cross-dressing theme of the nominated film "Boys Don't Cry." "These are the things that make the Oscars fun," Thompson said.
Tears, jeers and cross-dressing: Oscar night drama in store (2009-02-17)Taboo-busting German comedy skewers bed-wetting, impotent Hitler (2007-01-02)Awards aside, Oscars night always provides unexpected drama (2006-03-03)Films tackle terror with comedy and real accounts (2006-02-20)Clooney brings grit and glamour to Berlin (2006-02-10)
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