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Overall the show wasn't terrible. Most of what I found wrong with the show had to do with Gil Cates usual ideas about what constitutes a good show. For Example:
- As much as I get a kick out of "Pimp", the production number looked like Connie Stevens trying to perform "Theme from Shaft". At least in the 70's they got it right and had Isaac Hayes wearing chain link. This is the new millenia guys - get some choreographers the understand the numbers. (That doesn't mean Debbie Allen either!!!)
- Jon Stewart was a B Plus in my book. He had a few great zingers and quite honestly, it was usually when he was absent for periods of time that the show dragged. I'd say bring him back next year. Instead we got film montage after film montage after film montage. And none of them had anything to do with the "theme" of the evening. If you're doing A Return to Style, you go heavy on the Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant.
- This year's guest "Artist" performing the Original Score competitors (after you do it 20 times in a row, it stops being special).
- As much as I love seeing the old movie stars show up, tossing poor Lauren Bacall out there to flub the script was pretty stupid. Not to mention, making her introduce yet another unrelated film montage.
Finally, for those who like myself were disappointed that Brokeback lost Best Picture; Oscar history shows that every time a Best Picture upset like this occurs (ie. Greatest Show On Earth, Chariots of Fire, Oliver!, etc) they are usually regarded ten years later as huge oversights by the academy. Brokeback can console itself that it's joining a list that includes A Place In the Sun, A Streetcar Named Desire, High Noon, Reds, 2001 A Space Oddysey and so on.
