Like everything that ever happens with the Oscars, this inspiredmany loud, profound opinions.
DARREN:A new category is being designed around achievement in popular film, declares theAcademys Twitter account.
Its an unlovely sentence, Leah, one of those statements that disappears the more you read it.
The passive voice is being sounds blame-shifty.
But its the achievement in popular film thats causing such a stir.
Hard enough to define achievement, because everythings subjective and some wrong people hatedThe Shape of Water.
But popular film isnt too precise either.
But I ask you, Leah, what is popular?
In 2009,The Hurt Lockerbecame the lowest-grossing Best Picture ever.
Even people who didnt seeThe Hurt LockerlikeThe Hurt Lockermore thanX-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Popularity changes, is what Im trying to say.
It will also aim to be three hours long, a shift I care A LOT about.
Do you feel like this awards show needs to change?
And how do you feel about these changes?
We are never not smelling what the Rock is cooking, which Im sincerely fine with.
I might be in the minority, but I love every weepy, self-congratulatory minute of the Oscars telecast.
Give me your best Slovenian documentary shorts!
Youruncensored Francis McDormandsand your inscrutable 10-minute montages!
And just let Vin man the karaoke machine at the afterparty.
(No, seriously, do; hesreally goodat karaoke.)
DARREN:Agree a hundred thousand million percent, Leah!
The Oscars should be long, four hours,five.
And they should highlight the efforts ofeveryonewho makes movies, not just the famous faces.
Its obviously silly to separate quality into financial stratospheres.
So its the three-hour change that really worries me.
The Oscars are a great moment for Hollywood to express some version of its best self.
One of my single most vivid Oscar memories of my life came from the 2001 show.
Where will the kids of tomorrow learn aboutBlack Narcissus?
I just typed Black Narcissus into the search bar, and the first thing that came up wasThe Crown.
NOT EVERYTHING ISTHE CROWN, NETFLIX!
This year, the Oscar telecast had anall-time-low rating.
ButeveryTV rating is lower now, except for the TV shows that kill Milo Ventimiglia.
So heres some positive commentary for you, Academy: Great job moving your show earlier.
Now kindly make it longer!
LEAH:Wait, does Milo Ventimiglia get murdered in theGilmore Girlssequel??
Never mind, dont tell me.
If those prizes are relegated to some sad afternoon in a Culver City ballroom, we all lose.
Independent Actor Spirit Guild?
You is kind (not really), you is smart (sometimes), but youisimportant.
And I love you almost entirely, exhaustingly the way you are.
