Oscar Night

As you may have heard, last night was Oscar night. As my wife and I set up camp in front of the TV to watch the beautiful people get their awards, I couldn't help but think back to my childhood.

I remember my family gathering in front of the TV years ago with a big bowl of popcorn and we would all discuss who we thought was the best actor, the best supporting actor etc. As they would name the nominees I would shout out, "Paul Newman" or "The Godfather is the best picture", and then we would wait anxiously to see who was correct.

For the record, last night I didn't pick any winners. I was off my game. Maybe it was the atmosphere. With my children scattered about, 2 in college and one at a "Oscar Party" in our nations capital, it was only me, my wife 2 cats and 2 dogs taking in the festivities. The other 5 cats couldn't watch, they think these award shows are stupid.

There has been much talk about how the show would be different this year, "More show and less biz" as host Hugh Jackman put it. My thought on the new format is this, I hated it. I just want presenters presenting and actors receiving their awards. Last night I couldn't figure out if I was watching The Academy Awards or a Broadway play. Just give me the awards. If I want to see Hugh Jackman as a song and dance man, I'll go to Broadway.

The night started out with them giving out the Best Supporting Actress award. They do that to suck you in early. It worked, I was glued to the set.

But then it got challenging. As the awards for editing, musical score and sound were presented, I noticed one of my cats left the room and my wife was dosing on the couch. At 9:35 when the award for Art Direction was announced, I lost my wife for the evening, she just couldn't hang. So, the party goers left in my family room were me, Rosie, Ginger and Izzy. That would be human, dog, dog, cat.

When Slumdog Millionaire won yet another award, Ginger rolled her eyes in disgust and relocated to the floor in front of the front door. Rosie was hanging in there, but when I started singing aloud to a song from Mama Mia, she couldn't take it any longer and found refuge under the dining room table.

So it was only Izzy and me in front of the tube when the presenters for Best Actor came on stage. I was yelling "Mickey Rourke" at the TV. Izzy had no input. He's not much of a talker.

My evening of frivolous mindless entertainment came to end when Sean Penn so eloquently reminded me that there are still ignorant close minded people in this world, when he referred to the hateful protesters outside and their views on the gay community. Izzy, looked at me and I swear I heard him say, "Seriously? Is this still an issue? Can we please move on?"

I need to say 2 last things.

How cool is Sean Penn?

Bionce.

Enough said.

So, in closing I'd like to thank the Academy, my parents, my lovely wife and 3 beautiful children, my 3rd grade teacher...........