Thanks to the miracle of the Internet, tonight's Academy Awards have already been resoundingly trashed around the world, especially the hosts and especially James Franco. I find myself thinking that the folks who rush to call most of these telecasts "The Worst Oscars Show Ever" are imagining a wonderful, wildly entertaining awards program that has never existed. I'm also baffled by those who moan it's 3+ hours of rich, successful people stroking one another. Well, yeah. Those who have this complaint are unclear on the concept. The premise is that a lot of people in the movie business tell others in their field how great they are. Yeah, some overdo but that's the value system going in. So is the idea that the show's going to run long.
It can get a little better and some years, it does…but it's never going to be as wonderful as we wish it could be. If it bothers you, try doing what I do: Don't watch it live. TiVo or tape the thing and watch it with judicious use of the Fast Forward button. I got through it this year in well under an hour…and I have to tell you: At that pace, it ain't a bad show.