Bill Carter, a media analyst for CNN, covered the television industry for The New York Times for 25 years, and has written four books on TV, including The Late Shift and The War for Late Night. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own.
At some point during the Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night, someone will undoubtedly shower praise on the nominated films as superb additions to the art of movie-making. But more importantly, someone — probably a lot of someones, including hosts, presenters and winners — will also confront the devastation that Russian President Vladimir Putin is inflicting on Ukraine.
People will inevitably complain about the political grandstanding at the Oscars. However, this time it seems not just unavoidable, but necessary. And artists certainly have, at least in recent years. AIDS policy, prisoners at the Guantanamo camp, unequal pay between men and women, and the long suppression of Black Americans have all inspired comments from the Oscar stage.But stars haven't always been so quick to speak out on issues like these.
michael get out of the news!!!
Most of the people complaining are not even watching.
When the entertainers realize they have no greater voice than the rest of the people of this country they will retain our respect. Be what you are, entertainers!
It’s easily avoidable. Millions upon millions will gleefully ignore them
Whatever! Not watching.
Tonight will be a new low.
Yes, having the morality bar set by Hollywood only makes sense.🙄🤪
AcademyAwardsHD if you politicize Oscars don't pick n choose the battles. Consider Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Kashmir and all others.
There’s a reason nobody watches. These people are entertainers and experts at being fake. They aren’t experts at anything of significance, even if they played the role once…
Can’t wait for the uninformed feel empowered enough to inform.
The Oscars are tonight ? Damn, wish I knew before I scheduled taking my pet rock for a walk.
We go to entertainment to help us deal with our troubles not to be reminded of them and entertainment like sports is used to unite not divide! There should be somewhere we can go to have peace and to have a good time. Leave politics out of entertainment and sports!!!
Can we stop worrying about how Putin might react or what could cause an escalation? Focus on how Ukraine can win, then how we bring down the totalitarian Putin regime, then help rebuild Ukraine as well as help the Russians move forward with a better regime. WeStandWithUkraine
I can’t understand how those who’s entire lives are make believe can form opinions about reality.
If they want they can paint themselves blue and yellow who cares ,just a batch of idiots
No one gaf about the stupid oscars
Disagree. The Hollywood elite would never come close to ZelenskyyIsAWarHero . It’s demeaning
Why not for Yemen? Because Ukraine is a WhiteWar and the WhiteTribe runs Hollywood. and CNN plus every other mainstream Western news and entertainment outlet. This Oscar war show is white supremacy on display and ..seanpennis clueless about it
Can’t wait.
👇🏼😂🤷🏻♂️😂👇🏼