Lessons Were Learned

Well, it's been a busy couple of days, I had intended to get this posted Monday morning. I've been back in school for 2 1/2 weeks and am so ready to be done. Just another 2 years, 10 months, 2 weeks and 4 days left to go!

So to start with, Linda was FABULOUS!!! Like I expected anything different. The nice surprise this time was that the Rosemont pops orchestra, instead of giving us an hour of Spanish-themed music filtered through a harmonica virtuoso before brining Linda out, this time only did 4 songs, all Broadway related (although the Harry Potter medley was somewhat obliquely related, at least coming from the show-biz category). They started with a medley of Broadway overtures, which was about two lines each from Kiss Me Kate, Annie Get Your Gun, The Music Man, Sweet Charity, and Phantom. It was pleasant and got the evening off on the right note, although I have issues with amplified orchestras. They then did the Harry Potter medley, the Funny Girl overture (probably the most appropriate number) and then a medley of songs from Chicago, basically the Overture, All That Jazz, All I Care About Is Love, and Me and My Baby, wrapping up with the background music of Velma and Roxie's last few lines of the finale. We then got a nice intermission for a glass of wine and then it was time for Linda. The crowd really was there for her, she got a huge reception when she first came out. The show was basically an abridged version of the concert she did last March, but she did all the important numbers, including a tight rendition of Zing Went The Strings of my Heart/The Trolley Song, Stormy Weather, If I Could, Don't Rain on my Parade, and of course, Vienna and Man of La Mancha. She was on stage for about an hour and a half, and it seemed like she was barely there at all, I wanted her to stay all night. She didn't mention anything about a new album this time though. When she was here in March, she mentioned that she had a new album scheduled for early this year, and it was going to include If I Could. Well, we're almost done with the first quarter, and there's no news of a new album, only the Greatest Hits CD she originally released exclusively through Barnes & Noble last year now in wide release. She didn't mention anything about it this time, hopefully it's not delayed. In the meantime though, she may want to consider a live album. She's really come into her own as a live performer and it would be great to get that energy and excitement captured on disc while she's at her peak.

Then on Sunday it was time for the Oscars. As I had expected, I got home about an hour after it started and just used the fast forward function of the TiVo to cut through the speeches and filler, so it wasn't as annoying of a show as usual, although afterwards I felt kind of unfulfilled. Granted, it was a short show, they only went 15 minutes over, but it felt like I had missed something. Jon Stewart wasn't that funny (other than his lines about Hilary thinking Away From Her was the feel good movie of the year and when we have a female or black president, an asteroid is about to hit the statue of liberty, I really don't remember much about him other than his one really classy gesture, and more on that in a second), and as usual the scripted banter was just putrid, with poor Anne Hathaway as this year's top casualty. It was unfair enough having to pair her with Steve Carrell, but to give them such a horrendously unfunny conversation was criminal. Awards wise, I did about the same as last year in the major categories, only missing Actress and Director, although in my predictions I did acknowledge that either of the winners were real possibilities. The lesson I learned was not to bet against history. The academy is on a roll awarding female biographical portrayals, and while I thought that Cate Blanchett would have siphoned off enough votes from Marion with hers to allow Julie Christie to win, the academy was determined to make it happen. And, there's still no best director winner whose picture wasn't nominated, but it was nice to see the Coens finally get their due. Of course, I was thrilled to be wrong about art direction (Sweeney won) and best song, which was truly a shock for me. It was so great to see them win, and Jon Stewart was so classy bringing Marketa Irglova back out to give her full speech after the orchestra cut her off when she tried to speak after Glen Hansard. Way to read my instructions Jon! Speaking of Best Song, how fabulous was Kristen Chenoweth? And Amy Adams! Too bad that guy they got to do the 3rd song from Enchanted couldn't sing a note in tune to save his life. While being gorgeous can enhance the enjoyment of listening to a great singer (like Cheyenne Jackson, Matthew Morrison, Justin Timberlake, etc.), being goregous alone can't make up for being a bad singer (Anthony Rapp, Ryan Cabrera, and this guy, whoever he was). Despite being somewhat lackluster, at least they learned most of the lessons from last year, I would only say to Javier Bardem, don't apologize for giving your speech in Spanish, be proud! The only lesson for next year is for nominees, no matter how much of a long shot they may think they are, don't get baked before the ceremony. Tilda Swinton seemed like she was on the verge of freaking out every time the camera panned on her, and then when she won, the jig was up, that was the most out of it acceptance speech I can remember in a long time, which could have made the night more memorable had she tried to eat the Oscar or take her clothes off or tried to hump Alan Arkin when she got up to the stage. Lastly, just to rub it in, did anyone else think Jennifer Hudson's delivery of the Best Supporting Actor award was completely wooden? There was no emotion or any excitement there, maybe she was high too. At least this year's winners were all deserving.