entertainment

Oscars draws smallest-ever audience

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By Mark RALSTON

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Could it be that the 'deplorable' half of the country tuned out because they are tired of being lectured to by 'woke' Hollywood elites?

11 ( +15 / -4 )

Concerned CitizenToday 07:30 am JST

Could it be that the 'deplorable' half of the country tuned out because they are tired of being lectured to by 'woke' Hollywood elites?

I was unable to watch the Oscar show. Could you summarise which 'Hollywood elites' were making 'woke' speeches.

I also don't understand what 'woke' means or why so many people use quotation marks around it. Why do you do that? What does it signify?

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

@Alfie

It’s like “intelligent,” or “cultured”. That one has them reaching for their revolvers, apparently....

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I watched "Parasite" yesterday. I have to admit it was a good movie, and the story was very interesting. However i still think that Korean comedies are much better than their dramas. To me a really good movie is one that you would want to watch over and over again, and "Parasite" isn't a movie you would want to watch over and over again. Still it was good. I really don't care about Oscars or what they think is "the best movie". That's just their subjective opinion, not a universal objective truth arrived at by some algorithm. A lot of Americans are pissed at the Oscars for not giving the award to minorities, i would assume that's why they didn't watch it. I am also guessing that had at least a little to do with why they gave the award to a foreign movie.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Watching the Oscars is like getting a lecture from over-privileged people, because obviously they know what's best for everyone else.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

@Alfie Noakes

Could it be that the 'deplorable' half of the country tuned out because they are tired of being lectured to by 'woke' Hollywood elites?

Could you summarise which 'Hollywood elites' were making 'woke' speeches.

It's well known that many famous and wealthy actors (elites) use their acceptance speeches as platforms to lecture the public about their version of morality, social justice, etc. You haven't noticed? The list is too long to write here.

I also don't understand what 'woke' means or why so many people use quotation marks around it. Why do you do that? What does it signify?

Woke=alert to injustice in society, especially racism.

Many Hollywood stars give off airs that they are 'woke', that their viewpoint on social issues, politics etc. is correct and those who disagree with them are asleep. I'm guessing that people use quotation marks to signify that these people think they are woke but may not really be.

Many of them label those who disagree with them as racists, homophobes, alt-rightists, bigots, climate change deniers, etc, etc. What they fail to see is that most people have sincere reasons for their personal viewpoints and that they should be respected and listened to.

I don't mind Hollywood types or anyone else having an opinion different then mine, but I don't like being lectured to in a demeaning manner. It seems many other people feel the same way and thus are tuning out to the awards shows.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

TakCWALToday 08:53 am JST

Watching the Oscars is like getting a lecture from over-privileged people, because obviously they know what's best for everyone else.

Again, I was unable to watch the show. Could you please explain which over-privileged people were making lectures. Thank you.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

@Concerned Citizen

Thanks for the reply.

I don't like being lectured to in a demeaning manner.

Me too. Most people don't. Who did you feel was lecturing you in a demeaning manner at the Oscar show?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Maybe the number of viewers is small because now movies stink.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@Alfie Noakes

Brad Pitt Wins Best Supporting Actor at Oscars – Takes a Dig at Senate Republicans Over Impeachment

https://pluralist.com/brad-pitt-oscars-speech/

=Trump and Republicans and their supporters are bad.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I knew it was just a matter of time for Joaquin Phoenix to get the best actor Oscar. From his role on Parenthood (with Steve Martin). Didn’t know who he was but knew the kid was good. Then To Die For(1995) you where you can get a really good idea of his screen presence and was destined for greatness. Then to Gladiator was there was no question anymore.

Watched Joker two nights ago and Phoenix was classic! Loved the dancing!

Invalid CSRF

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Just like the Grammys, the Superbowl and the NBA. When people who have watched it for 40 years turn it on to realise it is not only unrecognisable but now openly agitates against them - they have plenty of other viewing options.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Why would someone want to watch an industry pat-on-the-back show?

I've never seen any Hollywood types show up to my industry award nights.

We live in different worlds and have very different ideas. The same problems apply to career politicians.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

...I don't like being lectured to in a demeaning manner. It seems many other people feel the same way and thus are tuning out to the awards shows.

I didn't feel lectured to or demeaned like I did when right-wing nutter Clint talked down to that empty chair, but that's OK, too, because freedom of speech is "who we are" (Lol), and must be respected. The lower viewing numbers perhaps indicate that this year's Oscar circus was not MAGA enough for those many folk who don't like Korean movies and films with sub-titles and all.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Joaquin Phoenix. Who felt the need to lecture us all about how we steal milk from cows just so we can put it in our coffee abd cereal. One of many lectures.

Who did you feel was lecturing you in a demeaning manner at the Oscar show?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

 when right-wing nutter Clint talked down to that empty chair

Why did you watch the Republican National Convention?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why did you watch the Republican National Convention?

?? You realize that conclusion cannot actually be logically made, right?

I mean, I didn't watch the convention. But I did see the empty chair get talked to.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I'm pleased for Bong Joon Ho, loved his previous films.

From the highlights, I didn't notice anyone lecturing me. Some people offered their opinions, which will offend some other people who'd rather only their own opinions are heard.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

No surprise.  Yawn fest.  Wonder what they swill trey next to make it more appealing.

If all this is about is ":recognizing" top performers and artists and so on, why do we have to have it on TV?  Just have the ceremony and give the awards and shut up.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Could it be that the 'deplorable' half of the country tuned out because they are tired of being lectured to by 'woke' Hollywood elites?

...

I don't mind Hollywood types or anyone else having an opinion different then mine, but I don't like being lectured to in a demeaning manner. It seems many other people feel the same way and thus are tuning out to the awards shows.

...

Joaquin Phoenix. Who felt the need to lecture us all about how we steal milk from cows just so we can put it in our coffee abd cereal. One of many lectures.

it,s like when people say that (generally speaking) democrats... liberals... atheists, etc. are smarter than conservatives and religious people. you can have debates, say whatever you want, deny whatever you want, but in the end... deep inside, you know it. so... in this case (Oscars), you might not like what they,re saying or the way they say it, but in the end ( even if you don,t want to admit it ), we both know they,re right. this can also be a reflection of American society. also the fact that ( times have changed ) we,re in 2020... there,s tons of other things to do and watch. and the Oscars are overrated.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Life is short. There are plenty of things to do in this world other than watch rich and successful people congratulate each other being rich and successful for a couple of hours.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I think that a major problem with actors and actresses using their acceptance speeches to promote thier political and social views is that that is not the purpose of the event. Most viewers tune in because of thier interest in entertainment, movies and acting. They want to forget about stressful political or social issues but then get those issues shoved in thier faces, with half of them being told they are bad people on top of that. No wonder that half is starting to tune out.

Why is Hollywood so insistent on insulting and alienating half its audience? You would think that declining viewership and profits would discourage such behavior. Hopefully common sense and civility will prevail.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@concernedcitizen

https://pluralist.com/brad-pitt-oscars-speech/

Thanks for the link. Sorry, but I can't see a "demeaning lecture" here. Pitt's speech lasted for about a minute, which is shorter than any lecture I've ever attended in my life. He did make quite a good little joke about Bolton being denied 45 seconds of freedom to give evidence at Trump's trial and the farcical way the Senate majority voted not guilty. If you found that joke "a demeaning lecture" I can't really comment. You'd probably have a heart attack if you saw what people say about politicians in the UK.

Most viewers tune in because of thier interest in entertainment, movies and acting. They want to forget about stressful political or social issues but then get those issues shoved in thier faces, with half of them being told they are bad people on top of that.

Hollywood makes movies about social issues. That's what it does. It used to make a lot more before comics took over, but basically it makes entertainment about social issues. How can you make movies about social issues without comment about social issues?

with half of them being told they are bad people

Again, where is this coming from? I didn't see anyone saying half the American people are "bad" in the highlights of the Oscar show I've just watched.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Alfie Noakes

It seems we differ in how we view this matter. I appreciate your respectful debate and wish more posters would approach these discussions like that.

All the best to you.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And to you.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Joaquin Phoenix. Who felt the need to lecture us all about how we steal milk from cows just so we can put it in our coffee abd cereal. One of many lectures.

Joaquin seems like a regular guy. He isn't surrounded by assistance, doesn't live the Hollywood lifestyle, has a few close friends who call him out when he says dumb things. Same for his family.

But it seems he hasn't spent time on a dairy farm either. Dairy cows enjoy being milked. You should watch them line up to the milking stations. http://www.dairymoos.com/do-cows-like-to-be-milked/ Given the choice, cows prefer to be milked 3.5 times a day.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If the worst political commentary that's memorable to people was merely that Brad Pitt one-liner about 45 seconds

That doesn't even rate in the low end of the scale for zingers

Seems the reason for the big decline in viewership has to be something else

Maybe it's because it's so white that people got vanilla-ed out of the same-old same-old winning?

Who knows

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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