Podcast Summary
The Oscars: More Than Meets the Eye: The Oscars, while celebrating film achievements, face criticism for their relevance and extravagance, raising questions about the value we place on such events and alternative ways to engage with the arts
The Oscars, despite their popularity and media coverage, may not be as universally cherished as one might think. While they serve as a platform to recognize and celebrate achievements in the film industry, many people, including the hosts of this podcast, have never shown interest in the event. The selection process and the extravagance surrounding the Oscars have raised questions about its relevance, especially in a world that's increasingly concerned with social and economic disparities. The Oscars can be seen as a symbol of the gap between the rich and famous and the rest of the population. By demystifying the mystique behind the Oscars, we can reflect on the value we place on such events and consider alternative ways to engage with and appreciate the arts.
Declining popularity of the Oscars: Despite fewer viewers, the Oscars continue to generate media attention and maintain allure due to historic significance and glamour, despite debates on their relevance and value.
The viewership of the Oscars has significantly decreased over the years, with approximately 20 times fewer people tuning in in 2021 compared to 2000. This decline in popularity raises questions about the event's relevance and appeal in today's society. Some argue that the drop in viewership could be due to demographics or changing entertainment preferences. Others suggest that controversial incidents, such as the Will Smith slap, may artificially inflate ratings. Despite the diminishing popularity, the Oscars continue to garner media attention and maintain a certain allure, perhaps due to the historic cachet and glamour associated with the event. The ongoing debate about the significance and value of an award ceremony for acting highlights the intrigue and controversy surrounding the Oscars.
The Value of Internal Validation for Creatives: Comedians find validation from within, social media makes celebrities relatable, Oscars need transparency, and audience engagement determines value
The value and validation of one's work should come from within, rather than external awards or accolades. Comedians, in particular, have a complex relationship with awards due to their role as satirists and jesters. However, the accessibility of social media has made celebrities more relatable and human, potentially contributing to a shift in the way we perceive and value them. The Oscars, an extremely subjective process, could benefit from more transparency and inclusivity in the voting process. Ultimately, the power to determine the best in film lies with the audience, who can express their opinions through their viewing choices and engagement on social media platforms.
The Academy Awards voting process involves ranking choices for Best Picture and a complex system to determine the winner: Members rank their Best Picture choices, films need 5% of top spots for nomination, and the film with most points wins
The Academy Awards voting process is complex and exclusive. Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, numbering around 10,000, each vote for their preferred nominees in their respective categories. However, for the Best Picture category, they must rank their choices in order, and a film needs at least 5% of the top spots to receive a nomination. Once nominees are announced, the accountants at PricewaterhouseCooper tally the votes, and the film with the most points wins. Membership in the academy is not easily attainable, and despite efforts to increase diversity, criticism persists. The voting process itself is also opaque, with members unsure of when or how they will be contacted to vote. Additionally, not all members can attend the ceremony due to limited seating at the Dolby Theatre.
Transforming homes into shared spaces and creating unique experiences: Hosts Jenna and Jordan share their Airbnb to connect with travelers and promote inclusivity, acknowledging the need for representation and diversity in various industries, including the Oscars.
The hosts of the show, Jenna and Jordan, have transformed their home into an Airbnb to share their space with travelers and create special experiences for guests. They believe that homes should not be left idle but rather used as a means to connect with people from different parts of the world. Meanwhile, the discussion on the Oscars touched upon the lack of diversity, particularly in terms of race. The hosts acknowledged the complexity of the issue, with race being on a spectrum and the debate surrounding representation versus merit. They noted that the Oscars have historically had a higher percentage of white nominees compared to the US population, which has fueled calls for more representation and diversity. Overall, the episode highlighted the importance of inclusivity and the potential for sharing experiences and spaces to bring people closer together.
Oscars 2020: More Asians Win, but Gender Disparities Persist: Despite progress in recognizing Asian talent, gender disparities continue in the Oscars and Hollywood as a whole, with fewer women in leadership roles and societal norms influencing industry practices.
The Oscars in 2020 marked a significant shift with more Asians winning awards, thanks to the success of "Parasite." However, gender disparities persisted, with 71% of nominations going to men. The lack of diversity in film industries, including fewer female directors and other roles, contributes to this issue. The academy's efforts to become more inclusive might not necessarily change Hollywood as a whole. The discussion then delved into the complexities of gender roles and the influence of societal norms and biology. In the television industry, for instance, there are more men in technical roles and more women in makeup. The surrogacy industry, where women carry babies for celebrities, also raises ethical concerns, with some celebrities reportedly being insensitive to surrogates' emotions and needs. The Oscars' voting members ultimately decide the awards, and addressing the issue of diversity requires addressing systemic issues in the entertainment industry.
Oscars grappling with expanding membership and maintaining elitism: The Oscars face challenges in including underrepresented communities while preserving exclusivity, and narrative campaigns play a crucial role in voters' decisions, shaping public perception and impacting careers.
The Oscars, as an exclusive institution, are grappling with expanding their membership to underrepresented communities while maintaining their elitist image. This raises questions about their true values and whether social justice and social status can coexist. Additionally, the decision-making process for Oscar voters is complex, as it's not always clear which film is objectively better. Campaigning plays a significant role, with actors and their teams crafting narratives to sway voters. Historically, underdog or comeback stories have been effective in winning awards, as seen with Leonardo DiCaprio and recent nominees like Brendan Fraser and Michelle Yeoh. The power of these narratives is evident in how they have shaped public perception and elevated the careers of some actors. However, the validity of these narratives and their impact on the actual merit of the films remains debatable.
Oscar Campaigns in the Entertainment Industry: Oscar campaigns involve substantial financial investments and targeted efforts towards voters, similar to political campaigning, with an estimated cost ranging from $3 million to $15 million.
The entertainment industry goes to great lengths to secure Oscar wins for actors, with campaigns involving substantial financial investments and targeted efforts towards voters. These campaigns can be compared to political campaigning, but with the added challenge of maintaining a low-key approach. The impact of these campaigns on the outcome of the Oscars is debatable, but their presence in the industry is significant and costly, with estimates ranging from $3 million to $15 million. The use of screeners and other promotional materials is a common tactic in these campaigns, and the influence they have on voters is a topic of ongoing discussion.
The Oscars: Balancing Art and Popularity: The Oscars acknowledge artistic merit while facing pressure to cater to popular tastes, with campaigns and controversies shaping the awards process.
The Oscars represent a complex interplay between art and popularity, with campaigns and controversies surrounding nominations highlighting the industry's ongoing struggle to balance these elements. For Your Consideration ads, such as billboards and emails, are part of this campaigning process, with studios vying for attention and academy members' votes. However, these tactics can lead to controversy and potential rule-breaking, as seen with the nomination of Andrea Rysborough for "To Leslie" and the ensuing debate about diversity and fairness. Ultimately, the Oscars remain a significant platform for recognizing cinematic achievements, but their legitimacy and impact are influenced by the industry's evolving priorities and public perception.
Recognizing Unconventional Films at the Oscars: The Oscars have been embracing unconventional films, but some viewers feel these choices don't align with the event's glamorous image. Attempts to shorten the ceremony have met resistance from members.
The Academy Awards, or Oscars, have been recognizing unconventional films in recent years, such as "Nomadland" and "Coda," which may not appeal to mainstream audiences. Some viewers feel that these choices don't align with the glamorous image of the Oscars. Additionally, the lengthy ceremony and decreasing viewership have led to attempts to shorten the show, but members objected to being excluded from the televised awards. The Oscars remain a highly anticipated event, but with the world's shortening attention span, finding ways to engage viewers and maintain relevance is a challenge. Ultimately, the Oscars' impact on popular culture and the film industry continues to be significant, even if not everyone tunes in to watch the ceremony live.
Approaching uncomfortable situations with a friendly demeanor can lead to unexpected positive outcomes.: Instead of avoiding or fearing uncomfortable situations, approaching them with a calm and friendly demeanor can lead to positive outcomes. This principle can be applied to various aspects of life, including interactions with difficult people and ethical dilemmas in technology production.
Our reactions to uncomfortable situations can be changed by approaching them differently. The man in the story was intimidated by gangs on the side of the road, but when he confronted them with a friendly greeting, they left him alone. Similarly, in a conversation with a friend, the speaker gave advice to a crying man whose girlfriend had left him. The friend's unusual behavior in crossing over to the other side of the road to greet the gang had made him seem strange and harmless, and the same principle can be applied to difficult situations in life. Instead of avoiding or fearing them, approaching them with a calm and friendly demeanor can lead to unexpected positive outcomes. Additionally, the discussion touched on the complex issue of cobalt mining and the ethical implications of using it in technology production. Despite the negative aspects, the speaker argued that it's important to continue finding ways to reduce human misery in the supply chain and transition to cleaner energy sources.