It seems that settling the WGA before the Oscars was more important to everyone here in town than the general movie-adoring public. ABC saw ratings drop a staggering 20% from 2007 and 24% in their golden 18-49 advertising bracket. And it’s not like there was a lot of competition for viewers, with alternatives like NASCAR, Big Brother, and repeats of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
The blame shouldn’t rest solely with the strike though. Let’s face it, the 3.5 hour stroke fest continues to be a sleep-inducing bore. While the pacing was a bit more fluid than years past, did we really need montage salutes to Binoculars, Bad Dreams, and Bees, no matter how firmly tongue was implanted in cheek? And can we finally ditch the musical numbers? I love Kristin Chenoweth as much as any musical theatre die-hard, but seriously that extravaganza was a waste of time. With any luck, the producers will learn from this wake up call. People are tired of award shows.
Ethan and I have been making stories with movie cameras since we were kids. In the late ’60s when Ethan was 11 or 12, he got a suit and a briefcase and we went to the Minneapolis International Airport with a Super 8 camera and made a movie about shuttle diplomacy called Henry Kissinger, Man on the Go. And honestly, what we do now doesn’t feel that much different.
This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we’re standing here tonight, the fact that we’re able to hold this, it’s just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it’s possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don’t give up. And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are.
…and George Clooney, you know, the seriousness and the dedication to your art, seeing you climb into that rubber bat suit from 
I also want to thank my junior high guidance counselor for a meeting we had where he asked me, “What do you want to do with your life?” And I said, “I want to make movies.” And he said, “What else do you want to do with your life?” And I said, “Make movies,” and he said, “What if you couldn’t make movies,” and I said, “I’d find a way that I could.”
We’re now heading into Hour 3 of ABC’s Oscar pre-show and it continues to be increasingly uncomfortable. Between George Pennacchio thinking they’re on tape (instead of broadcasting live) trying for Take 2 or 3; the reporter from on top of the El Capitan Theatre marquee giving us tote board updates on how many emails they’ve received; and stylist Randolph Duke’s (looking like Ralph Fiennes evil twin) insights into arriving talent’s wardrobe choices; there’s almost as much valuable content as CNN’s Anderson Cooper and his “best political team on television” analysis following a Presidential primary. At least now we have the comedy of Regis Philbin. A few other observations…
