To red carpet or not (warning: in rant mode)

[Melody]

Ok.  Some might know I am a fashion history major.  I just get a kick
out of being able to study something so frivolous yet so universal.  I
mean, every culture adorns themselves some how.

Well, I also adore the Oscars.  *Major* fashion night.  I have tapes
the pre-show, the actual show, and then Joan River's fashion review
*every* year for years and watch them over and over.  And God love
Joan, she never lets me down.  She has no problem telling someone they
look exactly the way they do.  Maybe I just love frank people, but
sometimes things just need to be said.  I mean they have mirrors.
They should use them.  But I digress.  Point of all that is to say,
Oscar day my life stops in full, and it is the one day of the year I
will not answer the phone or anything.  In my fashion history
viewpoint that I am cultivating, the Oscars are a big deal.

So now comes this year.  Maybe I am misunderstanding, but isn't the
movie industry a major part of the *entertainment* industry?  Their
goal in life is to distract us and entertain us.  That is what they
do.  So, I must say I am now quite disappointed they have shut down
the red carpet.

The reason: They say it is too frivolous given the state of the world
affairs.

Oh, come on.

The whole thing is frivolous.  That is the reason I watch it.  It is
too much fun to see them be all serious and "real" actors.  Say all
those words their publicists hammer into them.  Then they try to dress
so distinguishing yet as daring as they can even if they are 60.
Gracious, some of those women either need plastic surgery or need to
admit to themselves that their décolleté is not so appealing as it
once was.

Ok, I will say.  Some of those actors and actresses *are* really smart
and do not need the spoon fed words.  And some are, in fact, good
actors in their own right.  And some are even honorable and not trampy
with how they carry themselves.  But honestly.  The whole industry is
silly.  And that is why we love it.  You have the combination of those
that are truly talented, well trained, and know the difference between
Verdi and Wagner mixed with the brainless it-girl of the moment in
some daring Versace who bats her eyes down the red carpet trying to
keep the double sided tape down.

I mean I do not sit and watch the Oscars each year so they can tell me
which movie was the best all year.  Lord knows, I do not need them to
*tell* me which one was best.  I can figure that out for myself.  I
watch to see the social dynamics of it all.  Watch such and so actress
try to avoid the such and so actor who she use to be married to, and
then watch the little entertainment reporters try to push them
together.  "Oh I see her.  Oh I see him.  Oh they are not looking at
each other.  There might be sparks.  Oh wait, her publicist is pushing
her past him.  Oh there might be a look.  Oh yes, there it is!  She
hates him.  Oh, that gesture is not too nice at all..."

Yes, it is high schoolish.  Yes, it is stupid.  But it is always
entertaining.  Let them pretend that the world cares what they do.
Let them pretend that their entrance at the Academy Awards is
momentous.  Let them think we truly care who's arm they come down the
red carpet on.  Let them pretend that the world turns around whether
or not they even walk down that carpet.  And if they ever walk down
when it is "inappropriate," well then.  The world stands still you
know.  How dare they be frivolous and ignorant of the world's affairs.
 Oh please.  It is like Harry Potter without Quidditch.  You need
these things even more in times of trouble.  For they themselves do
not reflect the world.  They are our escape.

But that is my rant.  I do not expect it to be anyone else's.  In
fact, I do not expect many to agree with me.

It's just...to me, are we all to hold our breath until it is over?
Are we all to wear black and nothing at all flattering until Iraq and
us are friends?  Are we to suspend all parties, celebrations, and
well-earned pats on the back, until every last one of our troops are
home?

The world, and to a degree our mindset, does in fact reflect in the
entertainment industry.  It is not just an outlet as I said before.
It is the loudest and most watched industry for trends.  I guess I
fear, if the Academy Awards says people should act as sedate as the
industry seems to want to be portrayed, then the world will become a
very depressing place.  That is what I fear.  We should not be
ignorant and be skipping down the halls, but then again, we should not
reflect each moment and sit transfixed in front of the TV watching CNN
to be serious good citizens.

I guess the Academy is trying to find that balance.  I guess all my
ranting here is to say:  I don't think they have.


Melody