It wasn’t the first time that hosting duties were divided at the Oscars — usually with dopey to disastrous results — but after last night’s terrific turn by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, it may be the beginning of something good.
Of course, it took 82 years to get it right, and for the producers to finally pick a combo that actually was funny.
But when the Oscars opened last night with that epic, biblical music followed by the truly terrible song-and-dance number featuring Neil Patrick Harris, I had my doubts. That was like being stuck on a cruise ship. Now I know why so many people jump overboard into shark-infested waters.
Those doubts grew substantially when Martin and Baldwin descended from the ceiling in a big ring thing complete with sequins, dancing girls. And feathers. That only works for Pink, OK?
But then something wonderful happened. The two seriously funny guys got seriously funny. Having all the Best Actor nominees on stage at once was great because it gave the hosts a way to start riffing on them all as they sat down.
It was the first time in Oscar history — and yes, I’ve slavishly watched it for at least 81 of its 82 years — that I laughed out loud. Well, laughed out loud deliberately, at any rate.
Instead of the usual deference to the stars, and/or spoof of the movies’ openers, Martin and Baldwin cleverly roasted each of the nominees — and some of it was hilarious.
I especially loved Martin’s saying terrible things about Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren since doing so in Hollywood could get a person blackballed.
Martin said, “There’s that damn Helen Mirren” — giving Baldwin the chance to play straight man: “Steve, that’s Dame Helen Mirren.”
I especially liked him having the nerve to say, “Anyone who works with Meryl says the same thing — Can that woman act, and what’s up with all the Hitler memorabilia?”
Of course it took me about an hour to figure out what the heck it meant, but when I did, I laughed. I assume all it meant is he said the worst thing he could think of.
And like an Oscar winner, I too, will thank God — this time for the hosts keeping the dumb skits to a minimum.
All in all, a good time was had by me — and obviously both of them.