Uttering trite and tiresome phrases that have no basis in reality.

But then you can see that everyday when you turn on network or cable news.

The only difference is that at the Oscars, their clothes cost more and the cameras are on them.

it's all "stuff." I say, give it up...

I haven't seen any of the movies, so I'll probably find something else to watch. And I'm now so old that I haven't even heard of many of the actors. Elitist? Sure, by definition.

the nominated films. I love movies. I go once a week.

and actors and people many times making a lot of money. (The technical Oscars are a whole different thing and are usually NOT broadcasted, and have no red carpet or anything like that.)... by their very nature they are.

I used to enjoy them... when I was 15... these days there are other things to do, including GASP I know, READ.

If it makes you feel better.

how did they get in ? does your brother have a job related or just fans who bought tickets for it?

from the festivities. He is a bar manager at a high end bar/restaurant in Los Angeles. He gets invites to a lot of these things. My other brother is in the film industry. You see his name all the time if you stick around for the credits to roll.

i'm in LA also and work in a tourist area (though not in hollywood area). but i meet many people every year who aren't big names that are going to attend the awards. some of them even get to walk the red carpet but since they aren't "stars" the media isn't going to stop and interview them. but they do get to go and attend some parties afterwards.

how many people Hollywood employs in the USA.

Every single person you see on tv walking up that carpet is a union member, all the people making sure the program is aired, is a union member. I could go on and on.

I'm a former Union member myself: Cameraman's Union Local 600.

I'm glad you told us, because I was just thinking, Damn, if bluestateguy doesn't let us know how he feels about whether or not he will watch the Oscars, I think I will die!!!

as for the celebrations it is mostly going ot be focused on the "stars".

but what else do you think they should do ?

i am not going to watch because i find acceptance speeches to be annoying sometimes. and if there is anything worth seeing i can see clips later. but i got bored of sitting through the awards shows years ago.

We give the enterrtainment industry incredible power by letting them pick what goes on tv and the movies.

So what do they decide to show us?

A show of them congratulating each other.

Thanks, but Finding Bigfoot was on Animal Planet last night and that's way more important and real.

We give the enterrtainment industry incredible power by letting them pick what goes on tv and the movies.

So what do they decide to show us?

A show of them congratulating each other.

Thanks, but Finding Bigfoot was on Animal Planet last night and that's way more important and real.

I should think this wouldn't sit well with people upset over "income inequality". Hundreds of limosines spewing tons of greenhouse gasses just for show, and when they get onstage, they lecture the general public on how they should live. I should think this wouldn't sit well with people concerned about the environment.

They pat themselves on the back and collect $10,000 bags of swag as their stunt-doubles stay in the 99% while doing all the hard work.

Nah, I won't be watching. My wife will Tivo it and watch it tomorrow though.

...and partying. And given how Hollywood is still one of those places where lunchbox people, who startd from nowhere and nothing yet can become stars--and make a difference with their popularity in how the world works....

Well, that's not what I consider elitist. People can be born into acting and Hollywood, but it's still a biz which allows those from the bottom rungs to rise to the top. Or have you so soon forgotten Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe from "Precious" who got nominated for Best Actress. Born and raised in Harlem, dad was a cab driver.

How elitist was she when she came to the Oscars?

Unlike with an aristocracy, you never know who will or can rise to the top in Hollywood.

It is not that entertaining any more.

Nothin' wrong with that.

And ordinary lunchbucket people can clean up to look like movie stars, given the right gown.

but I don't have a problem with it. Not many people can do what they do so that drives their wages up. Yeah there are people like Adam Sandler that aren't very good but even someone like him went to acting school, did a bunch of small roles, went the SNL route before starring in highly grossing films(someone likes him). Plus they provide me entertainment that I'm willing to pay for so I can't complain about the money they make and what they spend it on.

I don't think many actors like the gossip, some who do are mostly not actors who wouldn't have a "career" without it. I can't complain about the gossip because there are many people that genuinely fascinated by what some famous person is up to. I catch myself clicking on an article here or there, even Jeremy Lin's couch story interested me. Some people are very genuinely interested, my mom is one of them. It never made sense to care at that level but I understood why the gossip business thrives.

I guess the lack of average people is something to be concerned about, however, it is an award show for people in the acting business. A lot of people want to attend so that drives up the prices of tickets to attend so that leaves out a lot of average folks. I can't think of anything to make something that naturally would be elitist--not elitist.

I will be watching as I don't have cable and I don't have many choices. If I had cable I'd probably watch the NBA All-Star game even though they refuse to play defense unless it is a close game in the 4th quarter. A couple of years ago I watched Lebron James on TNT without hesitation.

That's why I like the people's choice awards more. its democratic. Better yet, screw the award ceremony. I'll just buy the movie when it comes out on DVD if its good. I don't care what other people think about it.

I have a problem with just giving a director or a cinematographer or lead actor an award though. In truth, their direction wasn't the only factor at play in making the film in what it is. There's teams of CGI artists, lighting experts, sound experts, costume designers, set builders, script writers, etc etc, that make the movie what it is. I think its very ego-centric to just give an award to one guy for work that was a team effort.

The film industry is one of the last and best manufacturing industries in America. Everyone involved in the industry is represented by unions. There are thousands of blue collar jobs from set design to editing to graphics to makeup, etc.

The Oscars are nothing more than a grand promotion of the industry, an industry that serves middle class people in America very well.

and actually export American products.

I'm not in the industry so I have no interest, I just plain don't care.

And you're a hoot.

...a chance to make a plea for peace and be seen and heard by so many people around the world.

That's what happened tonight thanks to this elitist event. An Iranian filmmaker won best foreign language film, and got his moment to speak out and be heard and seen as a human being. I think, for that alone, this event deserves some kudos, whatever else it does that is ridiculous.

Do you watch sports? For some, this is no different in the bit of entertainment it provides.

But I'm an avid film goer/fan and tend to have seen the Best Picture nominees every year. Though - I was a bit upset Sarah's Key was completely left out - phenomenal movie.

I'm not a sports fan - and definitely not a football fan . . . so I see your point when I insert Super Bowl instead of Oscars. That's the brain freeze/numb I experience on Super Bowl Sunday each year. This year we went to see The Iron Lady on Super Bowl Sunday!

Poo pooing a celebration of the arts is a slippery slope.

This is not a poetry slam at some dive coffee shop in a college town.

This is a red carpet, exclusive event where only the elites and the connected are invited.

Very elitist indeed.

elite it is to me.

Elite is banking, elite is Washington. Hollywood has fairly open arms to anyone willing to play the game and most are do-gooders, not snobs.