Spring Break
DeGeneres delivers knockout performance at aging Oscars
Jonathan Pearson
Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: Culture
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The Academy Awards was the crown jewel of the award season, thanks to its fabulous host.
Ellen DeGeneres' smooth hosting for the crème de la crème of celebrities knocked all her predecessors out of the way. She's definitely the best Oscar host in history.
With the majority of award shows I've watched over the years, it takes a lot to keep me focused. Someone sings and they pass out an award before going to commercial. Every time you turn around, another commercial.
For a television aficionado and lazy man like myself, I'm tired of trying to watch these shows and see who's wearing what without being inanely interrupted.
ABC apparently realized this and did a good job of keeping commercials to a minimum and DeGeneres to a maximum.
But why was DeGeneres so successful?
She kept it light and funny. She acted like your cool, downtown neighbor who takes her time strolling down the avenue on a bright, sunny afternoon, smiling at the passersby.
Whoopi Goldberg was lowered from the ceiling a la Nicole Kidman in "Moulin Rouge" for her grand entrance in 2002. Billy Crystal starred in a high-tech movie reenacting moments from the nominated films in 2004.
Not Ellen.
Her entrance was a simple, onstage appearance from deep within the lavish Oscar set. No fancy costume, just a red-velvet suit, white shirt and white shoes.
She had Steven Spielberg take a picture of her and Clint Eastwood for her MySpace. She walked out onstage with a baby carrier on her chest for winners to carry home their Oscars. She saluted the nominees with a gospel choir and tambourine showstopper.
She did everything with ease and subtle humor.
I don't think I could have done a better job.
The ease part wouldn't have been a problem, but my humor isn't so subtle.
Almost 40 million people tuned in to see her performance, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than one million more than last year when Jon Stewart hosted.
Ellen DeGeneres' smooth hosting for the crème de la crème of celebrities knocked all her predecessors out of the way. She's definitely the best Oscar host in history.
With the majority of award shows I've watched over the years, it takes a lot to keep me focused. Someone sings and they pass out an award before going to commercial. Every time you turn around, another commercial.
For a television aficionado and lazy man like myself, I'm tired of trying to watch these shows and see who's wearing what without being inanely interrupted.
ABC apparently realized this and did a good job of keeping commercials to a minimum and DeGeneres to a maximum.
But why was DeGeneres so successful?
She kept it light and funny. She acted like your cool, downtown neighbor who takes her time strolling down the avenue on a bright, sunny afternoon, smiling at the passersby.
Whoopi Goldberg was lowered from the ceiling a la Nicole Kidman in "Moulin Rouge" for her grand entrance in 2002. Billy Crystal starred in a high-tech movie reenacting moments from the nominated films in 2004.
Not Ellen.
Her entrance was a simple, onstage appearance from deep within the lavish Oscar set. No fancy costume, just a red-velvet suit, white shirt and white shoes.
She had Steven Spielberg take a picture of her and Clint Eastwood for her MySpace. She walked out onstage with a baby carrier on her chest for winners to carry home their Oscars. She saluted the nominees with a gospel choir and tambourine showstopper.
She did everything with ease and subtle humor.
I don't think I could have done a better job.
The ease part wouldn't have been a problem, but my humor isn't so subtle.
Almost 40 million people tuned in to see her performance, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than one million more than last year when Jon Stewart hosted.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
PassionWink
PassionWink
posted 3/17/07 @ 7:37 AM CST
Mar 17 2007
Does or did Ellen DeGeneres ever have a MySpace account??
Here are some Ellen DeGeneres sites that show up on MySpace. www.myspace.com/ellendegeneres06, www. (Continued…)
Rosmary
posted 3/29/07 @ 10:25 PM CST
My name is Rosmary Jean, and I am 68 years old. I love Ellen and do not feel to believe bogus myspace accounts, which I use to have. I believe /ellendegeneres was real, because I called one number and one lady transfered me to another and they said that it was secret, but going they are going to delete it, because it was "here private one" and possibly create the talk show website. (Continued…)
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