Sit back and enjoy the show

By NATE SMITH

Updated: February 27, 2013, 7:38 PM

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On Monday morning, every major media outlet and social networking site were buzzing about the happenings at the 2013 Academy Award Ceremony. Among the dense cloud of “who should have won…” there was another sort of fog surrounding the ceremony though, one that’s been common in the past few years: complaints about the host.

It’s like everybody who watches and organizes these events have no prior knowledge of the comedians before tuning in. This year’s big gripe was about comments made by host Seth McFarland. Last year it was about jokes John Stewart made during the ceremony. Don’t even get me started with Ricky Gervais and his sordid history with the Golden Globe awards. All I’m saying is that most of the complaints seem pointless and superficial because they all involve aspects of each hosts style of comedy that were established long before they even agreed to host any sort of award show.

I’m not saying that jokes about domestic violence are funny in any way. However, it’s this sort of tongue in cheek humor that Seth McFarland is known for. If anybody has seen more than two episodes of Family Guy, they would understand what type of comedy he employs to get a laugh. I guess because he’s in a tuxedo and speaking to people directly he’s supposed to change that somehow?

The thought of a comedian changing his act to suit a crowd of celebrities seems pointless. What would be he point of having comedians host these award shows if their act is neutered to fit the grandiose nature of these award shows. McFarland’s act is cringe humor, take it or leave it.

I feel like with just about every other hot button issue in this country, most people will approach these award show goofs with an acute sense of hypersensitivity. I remember just last month all of the action figures for Tarentino’s Django Unchained being pulled off of the shelf because people found them offensive (many more people felt just as strongly about the film itself). Even though there were action figures for all of his other films, including his previous film Inglorious Bastards.

There’s something about the silver screen and all things involved that makes people react so emotionally when it comes to messages being sent. I can think of four Family Guy episodes offhand that have WAY worse jokes than those seen on Sundays program. It astonishes me that people are allowed to say whatever they want as long as it’s not in a room full of celebrities. I feel like if Kanye West made his famous “I’ma let you finish” rant in a Youtube short that contained even more insults, there wouldn’t have been nearly as much backlash. I feel like this is especially true in the case of Ricky Gervais where he was ridiculed for…ridiculing the celebrities in attendance at the Golden Globes.

Gervais didn’t say too much more than people during the pre and post Golden Globe ceremony shows haven’t said before. But for some reason, him poking fun at the celebrities during the award ceremony (which was hilarious by the way) was far too out of hand. I didn’t realize we were supposed to idolize AND baby celebrities during their “big moment”. Maybe people should be less critical of these hosts and understand that it’s hard to stay true to your act, as well as entertain a room full of Hollywood’s elite. Maybe we should just lighten up and let the comedic hosts do what they’re being paid for and entertain us with their given variety of comedy.
nsmith@lanthorn.com

Published February 27, 2013 Editorial