Peter Gabriel shuns Oscars

[charlene]

Lightfoot refused to perform his nominated song IYCRMM in 1972 because they wante dhim to shorten it. Peter Gabriel refuses to perform his song as well.
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE51D01420090214
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Peter Gabriel has rejected an offer to perform at the Academy Awards next week after the veteran British rocker learned he would have just a minute to sing his Oscar-nominated tune from Disney's "WALL-E".

Gabriel and composer Thomas Newman will compete for the best song Oscar on February 22 with "Down To Earth," a tune from the hit Pixar cartoon. The other two nominees are a pair of compositions from "Slumdog Millionaire."

The songs are scheduled to be performed as a medley during the televised ceremony, which last year ran for almost three and a half hours. The downsizing left Gabriel underwhelmed.

"I don't feel that is sufficient time to do the song justice, and I have decided to withdraw from performing," Gabriel wrote in a letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

"Even though song writers are small players in the film making process, they are just as committed and work just as hard as the rest of the team and I regret that this new version of the ceremony is being created, in part, at their expense," he added in the letter, which was forwarded to Reuters on Thursday by movie studio Walt Disney Co., which owns Pixar.

A spokeswoman for Pixar said Gabriel's withdrawal was "polite," that he was not angry, and that he would attend the ceremony in Hollywood. It was not clear who would perform the song instead.

He speaks of this decision at around 8:35 on the timer/counter;
http://video.realworld.co.uk/video_player.swf?domain=video.realworld.co.uk&video_id=8CgTNUBG4Hds_ZQ."

[RM]

learned he would have just a minute to sing his Oscar-nominated tune

The songs are scheduled to be performed as a medley during the televised ceremony, which last year ran for almost three and a half hours.

Good for him. 3.5 hours of "star-gazing", "bimbo-watching", "fashion judging" amongst a group of the most pretentious human beings known to mankind, and you shorten a song ? Why ? To allow more time for rambling acceptance speeches ?

Needless to say, I have not be a fan of these displays of decadence for quite some time.

[charlene]

yeah - what he said..
i stopped watching all the awards shows years and years ago..

[timetraveler]

Good for him. 3.5 hours of "star-gazing", "bimbo-watching", "fashion judging" amongst a group of the most pretentious human beings known to mankind, and you shorten a song ? Why ? To allow more time for rambling acceptance speeches ?

Needless to say, I have not be a fan of these displays of decadence for quite some time.
I'm with you there 100%! The last time that I watched the Academy Awards was when Ghandi was up for Best Picture. After that, the show just seemed to loose me. I started using it to put me to sleep whenever I would have a hard time getting to sleep.

[jj]

Good for him. 3.5 hours of "star-gazing", "bimbo-watching", "fashion judging" amongst a group of the most pretentious human beings known to mankind, and you shorten a song ? Why ? To allow more time for rambling acceptance speeches ?

Needless to say, I have not be a fan of these displays of decadence for quite some time.

if they are going to do this stuff, they should have awards shows for doctors, nurses, accountants, lol

when we didnt know much about the faces behind the movies (back when we had 3 channels), we'd look forward to these big nights so see them talk and how they look off the big theatre screen...now we can't get them to hush up

these awards productions (i like to watch the production coordintion, pretty impressive) are very PVR friendly...i was able to sift through the grammys, sags and globes in about one hour combined....i look for any decent (they are 99% live which is a good thing) music performances, lifetime acheivements, the montages of those contributors who have passed during the year (so many are the lesser known folks behind the scenes, i appreciate seeing these folks even for their 2-5 second moment of fame) and if i hear there was a decent, sincere (but not blubbering) speech i'll hunt it down...you can tell the artists who have done theatre and tuned up their craft (like singers, many have an urge to pull out emotion from their audience, a viceral fulfilment )...for present day, i dig winslet, penn, hoffman...russel crowe has made some decent, sincere and best of all, 'concise' speeches, imo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJNmKn8f15E

Gabriel was my first artistic hero (early Genesis days, long before they headed into I Can't Dance era...because They Couldn't Write, lol)...with he pulling out, I'm reminded why

quite a career span for pg...this first clip took me years to fing on vhs 15 years ago, not it's a click away with a mouse, lol....phil collins looks Manson-ish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZg0hAJE1nA&feature=related

the next clip is a beaut, imo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgXoEcNddtw




i've seen a few kids movies (the matinee price is right:)) this past few years and Wally had it's moments and fitting theme (human trash and obesity) but the song was the best part....i imagine the Bruce tune will take the hardware

cheers, pg...there's already too little music and then they go for a medley?!...i gotta say the grammys had tons of live music, it's just that i've never really heard of anybody, lol

ps) didnt GL refuse to appear on something or other cos they wanted a short version only of IYCRMM?

[Borderstone]

Bravo to Peter! :) I can't stand "medleys". Either sing a song or don't please!

Ironically I just re-watched Mr. Gabriels video collection from 2004 called "Play The Videos".

It goes from late 1970s classic "Solisbury Hill" to his (then) current video from that same year. (Forgot the name,sorry). It's a collection that runs nearly 2 hours! :eek:

It's awesome though and so is he for not compromisuing his artistic credibilty. I feel he's also another largely ignored artist when it comes to The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.

[charlene]

ps) didnt GL refuse to appear on something or other cos they wanted a short version only of IYCRMM?

first line of first post..
;)

[charlene]

Toronto Star:
100 reasons to watch the Oscars

Feb 21, 2009 04:30 AM

Malene Arpe

1. You can't wait to hear Jerry Lewis offend six to eight different races, religions and sexual orientations when accepting the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

2. Your doctor told you to keep the bandage on for six-and-a-half hours, which just happens to be the exact duration of the telecast.

3. Philip. Seymour. Hoffman. You know you want some.

4. If you don't watch, Mickey Rourke will come to your house and never leave.

5. You can't wait to see if John Travolta will show up, try to overcome his recent personal tragedy but, sadly, end up having a complete breakdown on national television. Oh, no, sorry. That's not you. That's me.

6. The Best Picture clips will be projected onto Nicole Kidman's forehead.

7. It's the perfect excuse to eat caviar muffins.

8. It's marginally more cheerful than the documentary on the inevitable extinction of every cute species in the entire world that's airing on Animal Planet.

9. You've already seen The Pink Panther 2 and Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Twice.

10. You have no intention of ever seeing He's Just Not That Into You.

11. Leather and Lace Night at The Golden Goat doesn't start until 2 a.m. anyway.

12. It's the closest you'll ever come to glamour, glitz and perfect hair. Sorry. That's me, too.

13. Anagrams for Academy Awards include Mad Saw Daycare; A Scared, Mad Way; and A Sad, Warm Decay. All good things. Especially the last. Mmm ... sad, warm decay.

14. There's only so much time a man can spend shaving his legs.

15. Those guys vying for Film Editing are smoking hot.

16. At least 5 per cent of the nominees have all their original body parts. I can almost guarantee you that.

17. If you get really drunk and squint, you can almost imagine that it's Ricky Gervais hosting.

18. If Sean Penn wins, maybe he'll smoke and say something unpleasant and inflammatory while looking sour and unshaven.

19. You have $50 on how many times host Hugh Jackman will use the word "claws."

20. You have $75 on how many times host Hugh Jackman will use the word "claws" in conjunction with a joke about Jack Nicholson.

21. You have $100 on how many times Hugh Jackman will actually be wearing "claws."

22. The Oscar statuette weighs 3.85 kilograms, and at some point an emaciated actress will win and promptly drop it from her hunger-weakened hands. This could be the year.

23. Ryan Seacrest will be snubbed by at least 10 celebrities.

24. The hairdos of Robert Pattinson and Zac Efron will duel for world domination.

25. It's better than mashed beets with warm milk.

26. You know what's funny? When the Best Foreign Language Film winner has to run all the way from the back of the theatre.

27. You know what else is funny? Angelina's face when she doesn't win.

28. It's the last year you'll be able to use your antenna.

29. You know how your friend set you up with a blind date for Sunday night? Yeah, you don't want to go there.

30. The tiny, tiny, yet real chance that Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie will meet on the red carpet.

31. The even tinier, yet still real possibility they'll be wearing the same kind of dress.

32. Your new cellmate has some sort of history with Anne Hathaway.

33. You want to know the exact moment Heath Ledger does not win so you can log on to your favourite website and start writing indignant, outraged comments.

34. Your toaster told you to.

35. It's a pretty great excuse not to go see your friend's cousin's emo band play their first gig.

36. You know those movies you decided not to see last year because they were arty and boring? This is your chance to get a glimpse of all of them.

37. This year the Academy decided not to reveal the celebrity presenters, so who we might see is an exciting secret. Could be Ron Howard. Could be Ron Jeremy.

38. That $10.95 bottle of sparkling wine you bought for a special occasion isn't going to drink itself.

39. You swore you wouldn't spend another Sunday night on MyNaughtyLego.com.

40. Mr. Whisker-Poo insists.

41. Since they failed to break down a wall and hoist you out with a crane, you've given up on the idea of leaving the couch.

42. Your mom promised to do your laundry if you'd come over and watch.

43. Michael Moore isn't nominated for anything.

44. What with the restraining order and all, this is the closest you're likely to get to Richard Jenkins for a long time.

45. Avarice is your favourite thing.

46. You have $50 on whether the Academy will have come up with some sort of excuse to put the Jonas Brothers onstage.

47. Ditto Miley Cyrus.

48. Maybe Marisa Tomei will wear her costume from The Wrestler.

49. It's always exciting to see who just made it in under the wire for the "In Memoriam" segment.

50. There's nothing better than when the Canadian simulcast somehow manages to miss a significant moment to make room for a Corner Gas promo.

51. Awkward pairings of celebrity presenters who have clearly never met each other before.

52. Hearing said celebrities read lines like "Lights! Camera! Action! There are no words like them!" "And no words like `The nominees for Best Makeup are ...'"

53. Awkward pairings of celebrity presenters who have clearly seen each other naked before.

54. Awkward pairings of Mickey Rourke and anyone.

55. The big production number will be 12 creepy Benjamin Button babies dancing to "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire.

56. Maybe Jack Black will be there and do his Kung Fu Panda kick. No one I know can get enough of that.

57. Banjo class is cancelled.

58. "Cooking With Leftover Soap and Garden Snails, and Other Survival Tips for the Coming Inevitable Societal Breakdown" is also cancelled.

59. The hottie you hooked up with in Second Life expects you to.

60. Frost/Nixon could be a surprise/winner, in which case you'll win your Oscar/pool.

61. The Ambien has long since stopped working.

62. OxyContin makes everything pretty.

63. Ever since "the episode," you're not allowed to watch Ultimate Fighting anymore.

64. It's book club night, but you still haven't made it through The All-Girl Knitting and Heartbreak Club.

65. Since you got that facial tattoo of Goebbels, your social life has slowed down a bit.

66. The E! stiletto cam is the best thing to happen to you since you discovered your, erm, predilection.

67. Maybe Josh Brolin will call Russell Crowe an asshole again.

68. Promoting Angels & Demons, Tom Hanks will make a joke about his Da Vinci Code hair. It will be hilarious.

69. You forgot the safe word.

70. You need a break from bitching about how the Watchmen movie will so totally suck and how they've ruined the ending and how you want Alan Moore to show up to the premiere naked and drunk and ...

71. Every time someone thanks a lawyer, a hairdresser or parents who are "looking down from up there," you may take a swig of cooking brandy.

72. The $50 million spent by studios on Oscar campaigns could have bought five million malaria-preventing mosquito nets. Don't let it be a complete loss.

73. Christian Bale has promised to yell.

74. Even an evil scientist has to have the occasional day off from planning world domination.

75. Your wife left you, your dog ran away and your truck got repossessed.

76. Academy president Sid Ganis recently told the nominees: "Your categories are being presented in a completely different way. Heads up. Cinematographers, editors, composers. All of you guys. You're in for a big surprise." You know what that means: interpretive dance.

77. You're curious as to whether documentary short The Final Inch is as porny as it sounds.

78. An irony-free night will do you good.

79. If you keep watching until the very end, they'll reveal what Lost is all about. Promise.

80. The demon that controls you shall not be denied; so sayeth your Lord Satan.

81. You place inordinate value on blown-up, overrated displays of opulence and fake sentiment. (I love you.)

82. Your diet doesn't start until tomorrow.

83. You can't wait to see who will be the first to embrace red carpet Depression Chic.

84. It's the only thing you got in the settlement.

85. Your Wii broke.

86. You think it's the first half of a documentary on The Odd Couple.

87. It's either that or riding around aimlessly on the TTC all night.

88. Is feathered hair finally making a comeback?

89. You're Paris Hilton and, once again, you failed to sneak into the Kodak Theatre.

90. Penélope Cruz is your wife, but the only way she communicates is by sending you messages through the television.

91. It's 100-per-cent salmonella-free.

92. If you don't, who will?

93. Bruce Springsteen will play the halftime show.

94. It's always a nice reminder that there's something that sucks worse than the Leafs.

95. The Pricewaterhouse accountants are busy working on the financial bailout, so killer monkeys tabulated the votes.

96. In an effort to make this the greenest Oscars ever, Tom Cruise soaked himself in water and rolled in Chia Pet seeds seven days prior to the show.

97. Due to the recent financial constraints, the orchestra has been replaced by your favourite Van Halen tribute band.

98. You may be a Marxist-Leninist, but you still love vintage Chanel.

99. You got tangled in your Snuggie and you can't reach the remote.

100. It's Sunday night in the middle of the winter during a horrible economic downturn. What the bleep else do you have to do?

[jj]

thanks char...those took a long time to get through and i'm out to lunch on a ton of them but found a good handful pretty cuttingly, witty funny...and #50 is just plain true, lol

[RM]

18. If Sean Penn wins, maybe he'll smoke and say something unpleasant and inflammatory while looking sour and unshaven.

I did not see the broadcast, but was reminded of that item from the list that charlene posted when I saw this news blurb :

It started with Penn, named best actor for playing late gay rights activist Harvey Milk, greeting the Kodak audience with, "You Commie, homo-loving sons of guns."

Maybe I should have watched.

[charlene]

i caught the beginning to watch Mr.Jackman. Yes I was hoping he'd take off his shirt, I admit that I am shallow that way but I do love an Aussie accent (goes way back to when I was 16) and he was was quite entertaining even if fully dressed.
;)
from some clips I've seen there were a few other moments that were funny/lovely/poignant yet others taht were lame/boring and needless.

Steve Martin/Tina Fey and Hugh - next year hosts..I'll watch just for that.

[jj]

ahh, i was actually successful in my recording efforts (long shows usually somehow fail to completely record for some reason) and in reviewing thus far, i can't find anything lame or boring to me this year...i'm either growing even shallower or his year's producers have finally got it right...i don't even know who hugh jackman is but so far, thumbs up...one thing i heard while on vacation was that the statuesque, beyonce lip synched...thumbs down...but it appears that anne hathaway was actually singing, pretty big pipes for a rake

the awards (i don't care who wins, just to be nominated means these folks have done something right along the way) that put most to sleep are the ones i dig...the real film making magicians: cinematography, editing, sound editing, screenplay, set design, directing...ok, this years' actors and stunning teams of presenters cannot be overlooked...some quite challenging roles well conquered

a minor note: char, dunno what's wrong with me but tina fey has never jiggled my witty bones...maybe cos i associate her with jimmy fallon (who should be off the air by week's end, lol)...steve carrell would be a slick host but may not appear to all...stick with this jackman, multi-talent and this year's producers and the show can't go wrong in 2010

ps) nice to see richard jenkins nominated...i enjoyed his Visitor performance