If talking about diversity was actually the precursor to diversity, then consider the #OscarsSoWhite backlash a success. From the moment the Academy Award host Chris Rock hit the stage, the subject was attacked and not let go until the closing credits. The comedian argued actors of color just need as many opportunities as the Leo Dicaprios of the world. And the united statement of the Academy seemed to be, “Yeah, we’re working on it.”
If you didn’t watch the awards (either because you were boycotting or just catching up on episodes of Little Women: Atlanta on your DVR), then here’s my take: it was really, really awkward. And if you want specifics, I’ve listed my top five moments of discomfort.
1. Really, Stacey Dash?
First off, we’re not even sure the #OscarsSoWhite audience even got the joke about her wishing everyone a happy Black History Month. But for the ones who did get it, it still bombed. And how long ago was Clueless? Why is Dash still playing the ditzy role of Dionne?
We beg of you, Hollywood. If we’re giving black actresses more opportunities, will someone please hand her a role? If she’s, you know, actually acting, she might once again have something better to do than make these appearances. Stacey, you’re embarrassing yourself and you’re embarrassing us. Hands down, I’d rather see Three-Six Mafia give another Oscar acceptance speech than go through that cringe-worthy bit again.
2. Dang, Jada.
Can we estimate the level of shade Chris Rock just threw at Jada Pinkett Smith? His quote, “ Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited,” led to Rock’s biggest eruption of laughter for the night.
Of course, the camera scanned the #OscarsSoWhite audience, who quickly second-guessed whether it was culturally sensitive to laugh at Rock’s dig. I guess they considered the possibility of Jada gathering Queen Latifah and crew to come “set it off” at the Oscar after parties.
3. The Skits Were Ehhh
We knew a large portion of the night would address the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, so no surprise that all three skits of the night poked fun of the missing diversity in Hollywood.
Each should have been a welcome comic relief to break up the already dry show and/or drive home the diversity issues. But even with the help of Whoopi Goldberg, the skits were a wee bit lacking in savvy and humor. And I wanted to laugh, I really did. But sadly, I’ve had more chuckles following the gospels of Kanye on Twitter. Not to say the skits were total misses. I’d put together a Kickstarter page to see Tracy Morgan make a sequel to the Danish Girl. (Who’s in?) And I’m sure Rock’s #SmackAWhiteManBad quip might endure through social media.
4. Black Presenters Matter
Is it just me or was there an effort to make every other presenter a person of color? I mean, where did they dig Louis Gossett, Jr. out from? Yet, despite the boycott, there were enough black actors there to cast a Tyler Perry film.
Furthermore, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs was among the night’s speakers who took the stage. She, of course, addressed the elephant in the room. And in the equivalent of a Steph Curry game-winning, overtime, 38-foot, three-point shot, she threw in a well-played Martin Luther King quote to conclude her speech.
5. Camera Pans
Okay, so you know when you’re the only black person in the room and somehow the conversation shifts to something about black people, history, culture, whatever? And when this happens, everyone in the room (including the speaker) seems to inevitably make eye contact with you to assess your reaction.
That was sort of last night’s camera work. With the #OscarsSoWhite audience, the poor camera guy struggled to find black audience reaction whenever Rock made a black joke. I think The Weeknd and Chadwick Boseman may have gotten the most audience screen time for that very reason. For that matter, Boseman seemed unamused and/or ticked off by most the night’s on-goings (Maybe he was rethinking his decision not to boycott the Oscars like I rethought my decision to stay up watching it).
Overall Chris Rock did an okay job. He walked the tightrope of supporting the #OscarsSoWhite backlash while not offending the Academy and the current nominees. His decision to play it “safe” will surely keep him in the running for hosting next year’s awards, especially when the Academy will more than likely be in desperate search to present an #OscarsSomewhatWhite field of participants. That said, let’s negotiate for producer’s credit on our Kickstarter page for the Tracy Morgan’s Danish Girl sequel.
BMWK, what did you think of the Oscars? DId they do enough to address diversity?
Images:Credit ABC