By In light of recent news of Brett Ratner’s departure from producing the Academy Awards this year, another announcement was made in Beverly Hills, California this morning. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President, Tom Sherak, announced that Eddie Murphy has withdrawn as host of the 84th Academy Awards. “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well,” said Sherak.
Eddie Murphy was set to produce the show with Brett Ratner this year, but clearly he knows where his loyalties lie. Murphy commented, “First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”
In my opinion, award shows are like the politics of the film industry. Since I’m in no way interested in traditional politics, it stands to reason that I loathe the very idea of the Academy Awards and, indeed, every other film award show there is. It just seems to be an opportunity for people to showboat on stage in front of a camera for five hours, spewing corny dialogue and forced jokes for little entertainment value. The only enjoyment I get is from watching the clips shown from the various movies being considered. And who is voting for these movies to begin with? Certainly not me. So what stock do I have in these award shows? The only power I have as an average citizen to vote for my favorite movies is in the form of box-office and Blu-ray receipts.
Yes, I am the Ron Swanson of the Flixist staff. I like my meat cooked medium rare, I love the wilderness and I am a libertarian. It wouldn’t hurt my feelings in the slightest if you pictured Ron Swanson speaking for every one of my news posts.
[Photo via Jason Kottke]