Outrageous! Reprehensible! Unconscionable! These are some of the adjectives that I would apply to the 2010 Oscars for failing to pay homage to Farrah Fawcett and other entertainment notables who died during the past year, such as Richard Todd, Gene Barry, and Soupy Sales.
The Academy's lame excuse was that it was limited to 30 such mentions in its "In Memoriam" segment. But, why should any such limit be applied? In any given year, there may well be more than 30, and all deserve one final acknowledgment. T here is no logic behind such an arbitrary fixed number.
And, their other pathetic alibi that there was not ample time is absurd, considering how much time was wasted on frivolities. The Oscar programs tend to run over time every year, and this tribute segment, is, in my humble opinion, one of the most significant aspects of the show, paying final recognition to one’s contributions to the industry. After all, if they could devote several minutes on a tribute to one individual (John Hughes), then they could certainly expend a few extra seconds on a number of others!
Moreover, I was outraged at the abrupt end Tom Hanks gave to the ceremony, announcing the Best Picture winner as nothing more than an afterthought to the Best Director award. While only 2 films("Avatar" and Hurt Locker") were apparently in contention, all 10 candidates should have received acknowledgment, with a certain degree of drama being introduced before the announcement was made. This was undoubtedly the very worst Best Picture presentation in the history of the Academy Awards! And, the feeble justification that time was running out again simply does not wash!
Furthermore, while I was delighted to see a tribute to the horror genre, which I am a staunch fan of, I was disappointed that only short shrift was accorded to the classics(such as “Dracula” and “Frankenstein”) in contrast to the time devoted to more contemporary entries. And, I felt that Vincent Price, considering his extensive contributions to this field, should have been cited in some context here!
May the Power of the Cosmos be with You!
Dr.Franklin Ruehl,Ph.D.
Host of cable TV’s “Mysteries From Beyond the Other Dominion”
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