In the category of “Things I no longer need to do” – watching the Oscars.
I’ve watched the Oscars for most of my life and you know what? I’m over them. Besides the fact that I often disagree with the nominations or lack of a nomination, the real point is that comparing performances is entirely subjective. It shouldn’t be a contest. I’ve felt this way for a long time, but I guess now that I’m a crabby senior citizen, I’m actually going to put my money where my mouth is. No more.
I have a real problem with all the ‘contest’ shows out there. Instead of showcasing real talent and skill, every one of these shows is overhyped to the point of ridiculousness. Why does every cooking or decorating show have to involve a contest of some sort? It’s exhausting. It’s even entered the miniature world, and while I understand that introducing audiences to miniatures might be a good thing, it takes our hobby or profession and puts a time limit on it so that the end results are rather slap-dash and not at all representative of what true talent and skill there is out there. There’s one on HGTV and now there’s one in England. Sigh.
Exception: The Great British Bake Off, which is done in a positive, affirming, and classy manner.
Or there are hyped up ‘reality’ shows that try and make every boring thing that happens a BIG DEAL. See Ice Road Truckers, etc. And the genre called reality television is anything but. It’s generally loosely or even tightly scripted. I am proud to say I have never seen an episode of Survivor (how can you really be ‘surviving’ when there is a crew filming you and Craft Services on hand, per the union, to provide food?) or anything to do with Bachelors, Bachelorettes or the Kardashians.
Anyway, back to the Oscars. I know people love to see what the nominees are wearing and all that sort of thing but that doesn’t tempt me strongly enough to watch it. (But if you love that sort of thing, enjoy!)
I’ve never liked theater reviews or movie reviews because they are subjective – they are one person’s opinion that can make or break a show or movie. And I find I like the Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, and Oscars less and less. If you want to salute the work, then stage a show where you highlight performances of the year. But no ‘Best’ award, because ‘Best’ according to who?
By the way, Don and I used to parody the hyped up reality shows. We’d do some mundane thing around the house and narrate it as if the stakes were incredibly high or we’d speak directly to the camera with something like “I went to the kitchen and I couldn’t find a clean knife. Not one. I walked to the drawer, opened it – there wasn’t a knife in sight. Then I walked to the dishwasher. Maybe there was a knife there? There was, but we didn’t run the dishwasher last night. So it was dirty.” Cue sad face.
Okay, I’ll stop. That’s what is on my mind this morning. I’m sort of all over the place, so let’s call this Claudia’s Stream of Consciousness Sunday.
I’m going to watch Gardener’s World this afternoon.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
I usually liked watching the Oscars and Tonys because it would give me a snippet of various movies, plays, musicals and soundtracks that I might never see (or hear). I rarely went to the theater as it always seemed too expensive.
The theater is too expensive, for sure. But then again, films are now, too.
Stay safe, Ellen.
I have never, ever, seen the Oscar thingy… makes me sort of a freak, isn’t it?
But then I don’t watch television at all, except for the occasional snippet when I’m staying with friends of family. Oh well, I know about Oscars, so that should suffice.
Good for you, Petra!
I have several friends who don’t watch television.
Stay safe.
Claudia, you had me until the end of the post. The ads for some of the very shows you dislike as much as I do intruded on my “Go sister!” moment. LOL.
The ads are after the comments so it shouldn’t have stopped you!
And I have no control over the ads.
Stay safe.
I don’t watch the Oscars etc as i find it a bit dull and annoying, but I love to see in magazines the pictures of what everyone was wearing!
I’m sure there will be plenty of photos, Jill.
Stay safe.
I quit watching the Oscars years ago when they kept leaving out actors who I knew from watching old movies in the “honoring the actors who died this year”. I think that only 18 year olds who have never seen movies made prior to the 90s are allowed to make the list. I also try to not watch reality shows but my husband loves hgtv and other even worse nonsense. I can read while they are on easily blocking them out, thank goodness.
I used to like HGTV when it first started and there was a big variety of shows. Now, everything is basically the same – and yes, staged.
Ah well.
Stay safe, Beverly.
I may watch for a bit to see some of the fashions. I don’t care for the 3 hosts they have so won’t watch much.
But reality shows….I admit I do get sucked in sometimes. I have frequently watched The Voice, although not for a year or so.
Take care
We used to watch it, too, but then the show became more about the judges than the contestants, so we stopped watching.
The only ‘competition’ show we watch is So You Think You Can Dance because the talent is amazing and the judges/hosts genuinely care about the dancers. It celebrates dance, not celebrity.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
I am happy to hear So You Think You Can Dance will be back this year. One of my favorite shows!!
Yes, I follow them on IG and they are in the midst of the audition process. Hurrah!
The Great British Baking Show is the absolute gold standard as far as I’m concerned.
(I do have to admit to being a Survivor fan – I don’t know why!)
I love GBBS!
Stay safe.
Another one I adore is the Great British Sewing Bee.
Haven’t heard of that one, Brenda!
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — we are on the same page w/you re: ‘competition’ shows — all seem too fake, not ‘real’ at all — never have seen any episodes so maybe our opinion is wrong, but promos for most are a total turn-off in our house and enough for us. we do not watch award shows for any reason — we seem to have ‘enough’ just reading news reports — I have one question for you and maybe some of your commenters. I have asked my children/grands this, “When/why did it become acceptable for women/girls to wear bras as tops????” none of my family members have an answer. Not talking about swim suits/beach wear here. hope you all stay healthy/safe
I have no idea when that trend started. It’s certainly not something I would do!
Stay safe, Linda.
Your parody sounds a lot more fun than the reality shows! I’m with you 100 percent on it all — I would have had exception, had you not added in the exemption for Great British Bake Off! I adore it. I used to enjoy “Dancing with the Stars” not for the stars (because for the most part, they weren’t) but the dancing, which was fun. Especially when someone had little background in that. But it got old and boring.
Oscars… meh. It used to be a major part of this time of year. Oscar parties with friends, ballots, friendly competition, gaming the odds. Nope. Oddly enough, thanks to streaming, I’ve seen more nominees than I usually do and with a couple of heart-exceptions (real faves) I don’t care. I’ll watch it, but I’m skipping the first hour to watch “Call the Midwife,” because the exquisite writing and story lines and fabulous acting on that show cut straight to my heart and soul. (Jennifer Worth’s bio that started it all is on my pile to read.)
Maybe I’ll play “Bake Off” when I’m making dinner tonight!
I love Call the Midwife! It makes me cry every episode, it’s so well written.
I’m just about to start in on this week’s Gardener’s World, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
I love Call The Midwife, such an amazing show. The book by Jennifer Worth is wonderful.
Thanks for your thoughts today. As professionals you two know what you’re talking about. I totally agree.
No clean knife – cue sad face 😄. Just for fun I think I’ll start narrating for Miss Kitty. I talk to her anyway, so it might as well amuse me!
Encouraging thoughts for you – here in Indy I am seeing thickening trees and bushes, perennials showing new growth, and daffodils in sheltered places. It is coming!
I pleasantly spent time on a cold afternoon yesterday enjoying Don’s music clips. By definition can you have more than one favorite? I do!
You’re south of us, but that is encouraging! We won’t see that for a few weeks yet.
I’m so happy you’re enjoying Don’s music, Jan! Thanks so much for listening.
Stay safe, Jan!
I do agree with your post Claudia. Hard to weed though true art when messy voting politics are so involved.
For many years I have thought about the award show practice of showering the participants with ridiculously lavish ‘grab bags’. I hate that many rich celebs accept these gifts when they already are, well, rich!! I think contributions to charities would be a decent act. But alas ….
I haven’t watched award shows for many years. I feel the participants are way too full of themselves. I do love movies, but the Oscars etc. feel like me, me, look at me.
Guess I too am a grumpy senior lol
I suspect many of them do donate those bags, we just don’t hear about it.
Stay safe, Mumsy!
I’ve never watched the Oscars, it doesn’t interest me to see the self congratulatory, over inflated ego fest. There are far more interesting and important things to be absorbed in. There has been a tv show called The Great British Pottery Throwdown, which has recently finished and it was brilliant, lovely people being kind and supportive to each other, it was so enjoyable, I highly recommend it if you can find it.
Yes, I’ve heard of that show. It may be on Netflix, I’m not sure. I’ll be sure to check it out, Fiona.
Stay safe.
Just when I thought I could like you more than I already did, you went and said you were skipping award shows and “reality” series. Except the Great British Baking Show.
I’d even lend you Quiet if we lived close enough. And I don’t lend my books much–too many people don’t take care of them and return them. You would!
Enjoy some peace and quiet as the week winds down.
I must admit to not wanting to lend my books to anyone, including my husband. If I do lend one to him, it is with the admonishment that there can be no turned down corners, be careful of the dust jacket, etc.
Stay safe, Roxie.
Agree completely. Besides what you cite, I don’t care what celebs think, do, or say about anything. The Lincoln Highway is the next book on my list. I also want to reread A Gentleman in Moscow. Enjoy your Sunday!
Well, I wouldn’t say that about celebrities. Don and I have worked with plenty of them over the years and our experience is that most of them are smart, well read, knowledgeable, funny and kind. I value their opinions just as I would that of a friend or acquaintance and often find they are very articulate on politics, life, love, sorrow. Far more articulate than me.
Stay safe, Lynda.
Very interesting, your conscious thoughts here, a show about actors, an opinion (yours/Don’s) BY actors; because also, you’re voicing exactly how I feel. My gosh, around here when I was a kid at home with my folks, my mom cleared the decks, as I did later on (as a single-working girl trying to get home by 5pm so I didn’t miss a beat of the big show [no way to record a TV show for later in those days]); we just ate up the Oscars, seeing the ‘big stars’. Even ten years ago or maybe three years ago, I’d definitely tune in to see the red-carpet fashion. But I realized yesterday that I’ve become so uninterested in all of it. Perhaps, too, it seems so ‘surface’/fluff/shallow(?) when there’s so much serious stuff going on in the world.
Thing is also, at my age, I don’t identify with any of the younger actors like I did when they and myself were more of the same age group; and, unfortunately, it still seems to be an industry which focuses on the younger actors although they’ll certainly give tribute to an older actor when I guess they’re thinking if they don’t do it now, it could be too late. It’s just so much self- or I guess congregate-congratulation (don’t know how to describe what I’m trying to say) for a paying job, and it dawned on me over the years that, hey, I work a hard job too and nobody gives me an awards show over it.
So, I dunno, all this runs thru my head but, in the end, I just have no desire to watch any of that tonight, which I sorta find sad because I do have very-fond memories of watching the Academy Awards with my mother; it was always such tradition over many, many years. Oh well. It’s not that I don’t enjoy movies and even the ‘latest’ ones when it works out; for instance, I watched Licorice Pizza the other night; still somewhat absorbing it; I got interrupted a lot and I think I lost some of the nuance; but the time-setting of that film was definitely my own scene in 1973 here in SoCalif.
Don also brought up the point that the ceremony seems indulgent and badly timed considering what is happening in Ukraine.
It just doesn’t sit right.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Kudos Claudia
Thanks, Tracy.
Stay safe.
Like you I use to watch the Oscars every year. But I’ve lot my enjoyment of them. Too much canned ‘cuteness’ trying to be funny etc. Also I agree my BEST might not be your BEST. I’m also over the clothes, might be I’m just an old cranky lady myself. Love The British Baking Show. They are so positive and affirmative and the bakers are encouraging to each other. I feel like TV has made everything we do a contest now and it’s not letting me enjoy the craft/process/abilities of the contestants. My rambles for the day.
PS you asked about the Vivan Swift books. My understanding is she travels, journals maybe watercolors along the way but then when home does the book itself from her materials. I’m anxious to receive the France book she has done.
I’m going to check her out, Linda.
I was mentioning in an earlier reply that Don brought up the fact that the Oscars seem indulgent considering what is happening in Ukraine.
Stay safe, Linda.
Don is right, it does seem very indulgent.
xo
Hi Claudia, I am one too who has never seen an episode of Survivor, Bachelorette or Bachelor. We stopped watching tv probably a dozen years ago and just watch DVD’s of our old favourite shows. Haven’t watched the Oscars in years. I would love to see you and Don doing your parody of a reality show!
Have a good day.❤️
Well, we thought it was funny!
Stay safe, Robin.
Thanks Claudia.❤️
xo
Ditto to commercials on Blogs.
Well, I have ads on my blog. I don’t know if you’re talking about that? If you don’t like ads, you won’t be comfortable here.
Or do you mean people selling things on their blog posts?
I’m confused by your comment.
Robin I agree about adds on blogs, some are so tasteless but I guessl it makes money
Then I would have to ask, why are you here? I have ads. Ads are the only way I can sustain the costs of this blog.
We have never watched a “reality” show. I don’t understand the concept. I always thought the same thing you said…how can these shows be called “real” when there are film and production crews there? And as for things like Dancing with the Stars (stars??) or Bachelor/Bachelorette etc it just seems way too crazy for me. I can’t comprehend the kind of person who would voluntarily put themselves in these situations.
I have never been a fan of Awards shows, either. The $$$ on display, and for what…is the primary reason. And today, in the midst of the crisis in Ukraine, they should be ashamed.
I will be reading, perhaps a couple of games of assorted solitaire or word puzzles on the computer. Do you & Don still vote for the Awards? I think I remember you had in the past? Or maybe I dreamt that….. Take care.
No, only members of the Academy can vote. We have been given screeners of the movies that are nominated in the past, that might be what you’re remembering.
Stay safe, Chris.
Ah, yes, THAT was it!!! I knew I remembered something about it! Not totally losing my mind ~ quite yet.
As for ads……. I truly never notice them on your blog. Even when I read your posts on my phone I don’t notice them. It must appear differently to people on their devices.
Thanks Chris. I can’t figure out if I misunderstood the comment or if it was intended to be snarky.
Interesting that I’ve had no response.
xo
The last time that I watched the Oscars, I was in the hospital after giving birth to my son. The nurse was going to wake me up to give me my antibiotic for the infection I developed after my C section so I decided to watch the show. My son will be 54 years old next week. That tells you how impressed I was with it.
Thanks, Cris.
Stay safe.
I agree with all your comments about reality TV shows and the Oscars. I have not seen Coda..but I would like it to win.
The few ads you have are NOT a problem.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you Kaye. I want to see Coda as well.
Stay safe.
I am still a hold out for the Tonys but only because it is my chance to see snippets of performances and performers I might otherwise never see.
I used to watch the Oscars, and then just check the internet the next day for their outfits and then… nah.
My heart will always be with the Tonys but I haven’t really watched them for the past 5 years or so.
Thanks, Leanne.
Stay safe.
I agree with the reality shows. Not my cup of tea. The only part of the Oscars we seem to laugh about, and not because these people have passed, but because we always know one of us will be saying “I didn’t know he died!” And tonight even that part seemed weird as they had a chorus dancing and singing during the In Memorian. Very classless to us. We did lose some amazing people. I do have to admit I am a big fan of Nicole Kidman so I like to see what she is wearing. The other reason is because she is married to Keith Urban, one of my favorite people on the planet. Not just because I love his music, but my daughter arranged for me to go backstage and meet him twice.
He was SO nice and took so much time just to talk with us. It definitely was a highlight for me! I notice tonight he has given his jacket to Nicole to wear the whole time, as I am guessing it is cold in the theater. Always the gentleman. Now we will see tonight if Nicole wins the big prize. And always praying for Ukraine. Take care Claudia.
They are very nice people. I’m glad you had that experience, Deb. I’m not a fan of Kidman’s acting. It never rings true with me. But there are plenty of people who disagree with me on that one!
Stay safe.
I don’t watch the award shows anymore either. Ho Hum. I do like to see the dresses, but I can pick up a People mag. and see them, but the last couple of years I just looked online. And I also have not see one of the shows this year. I don’t think. Haven’t been to a movie in years. Even before covid. They were just too expensive.
We haven’t really seen much this year either so I can’t weigh in on any of it other than to say I don’t believe in competitions like this one.
Stay safe, Tana.
I do not watch award shows anymore either. But I think you would like “The School of Chocolate” on Netflix, definitely done in a positive way. Hope your week is blessed!
Thanks so much for the tip, Erika.
Stay safe.
I agree with you on all those shows. the awards shows usually spent more time on somebody thanking his/her spouse than the movie or performance. The reality shows are ridiculous and they show so much in commercials that I know I would not enjoy them. So I stick to Britbox etc. and enjoy good mysteries like Agatha Christie.
I’m headed to Britbox right now to watch Gardener’s World.
Thanks, Jan!
Stay safe.