Comments on: Today in the Journal News

By: c2coke

c2coke — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 00:06:02 +0000

Now, let’s be fair, rainbowtrout, I thought there were also real laughters when Ellen talked about how America did vote for Al Gore…

I think Billy Crystal was asked to host every year for the past 5 years and he refused each time. I remember him saying in an interview that hosting Oscars is a no-win situation and extremely time/energy consuming. Oh, and that he somehow always had schedule conflicts…(I personally think that he purposely makes sure that he has something to do every late Feb.)

By: rainbowtrout

rainbowtrout — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:31:12 +0000

The only real laughs came when Jerry Seinfeld did his little bit before announcing all the “depressing” nominees for documentary.

By: rainbowtrout

rainbowtrout — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:29:48 +0000

Nothing was more awkward than Ellen with the tamborine, and that goofy choir going up the aisle. And the global warming hysteria is a real hoot.

By: Jeteupthemiddle

Jeteupthemiddle — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 18:50:17 +0000

Ellen asking Spielberg to take her her picture…and then retake it…was great.

I thought she was a good host.

I liked her a lot more than most hosts in previous years.

When Stewart and Rock hosted the show (I enjoyed both) they were littered with awkward pauses for laughter that didn’t come from the audience.

By: rbizzler

rbizzler — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:20:21 +0000

When John Stewart hosted and injected some humor into the ceremony all of the Hollywood folks bristled at his jokes b/c he was viewed as a failed actor who got lucky with The Daily Show (tremendous show) and not accomplished enough to make fun of Hollywood. Chris Rock pulled no punches as host and he was not asked back b/c he didn’t ‘repect’ the Academy enough. So it seems, the equation of make fun of the Hollywood elites, the pageantry and the winners/losers gets you the boot. Ellen promised to check her politics at the door when she hosted (she actually is very outspoken) and the end result was a very ‘pleasant’(and boring) ceremony. Seems like a no-win situation to me.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:04:28 +0000

The only tolerable way to watch the Oscars involves a drinking game.

Now I have no excuse not to see The Departed.

By: DesignatedBlogger

DesignatedBlogger — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:25:45 +0000

Ellen was the safe choice. Boring, unfunny, but safe. The days of Chris Rock coming out and ranking on everyone are over.

By: Mr. Vegas

Mr. Vegas — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:11:46 +0000

Ellen DeGeneres was completely wrong for this show because her humor is based on the irony that an “average guy” like her, with such mundane thoughts and apparent insecurities, is at the center of attention. This leads to lame bits where we see her getting her picture taken with Clint Eastwood or vacuuming the carpet in front of the stage — stuff that had nothing to do with the movies. The humor SHOULD be focused on the Hollywood culture, the bizarre pageantry, the egos, the false modesty of the nominees, etc. Billy Crystal understood this and was constantly wisecracking about the nominated movies and actors, the acceptance speeches, the losing nominees, etc. By contrast, DeGeneres barely commented on what was taking place. Her humor was centered on her and not on the Oscars.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:22:39 +0000

Pat — hold grudges much? Also, I disagree with you Pete, about having the producer speak. What if you wrote a prize-winning article about Derek Jeter and then when they gave out the award, they had Derek come up and thank his mom and dad and all of the coaches he has had through the years, instead of you?

By: zac

zac — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:06:09 +0000

i liked ellen a lot. her delivery was gentle (almost loving) and she has a natural humor and grace which is always refreshing. as to her weak movie credentials…john stewart has a less than stellar resume…as does a little known/remembered host named johnny carson…