Episode Transcript
Hey there, everybody. Welcome back to Sort of Sophisticated. Uh, come on. By now, I hope you guys know the drill. We research stuff for you, try to break it down into tiny pieces you can manage, hopefully memorize a fact or two, so that you feel like you're learning something instead of, like, doomscrolling, right? I'm Pete, and with me here is Amanda. Hello, everybody. Oh my god, and speaking of, like, doom scrolling, seriously, I was just in the bathroom, like, two seconds ago, before I sat down here for two hours, so I could actually get through today. Um, is it really true? That like, we're spending hundreds of million dollars on social security for people like between the ages of 100 like Donald Trump and Elon Musk are figuring all this shit out right now. Because I'm having a heart attack if that's even remotely true. I don't know. I mean, I see a lot of people posting it, right? Advocating for it, and I see people saying that it's all fake. It's, uh, fake news. It's fake, fake news. I don't know. I don't know. If even, part of that is remotely true, and I mean, it's mildly terrifying. It's, no, it's unbelievable because you know my whole social security story in the first place, like, with like, the whole Gabby died and then we got like, jack shit and didn't get anything, and it's totally stupid and terrible. So if like, we're actually paying out to a corrupt system right now, to dead people, I think I'm going to have a heart attack. Right, because you're alive and you're not being able to claim it. Right, and um, I don't want to turn this all political, but um, that's what happens when I doomscroll in the bathroom before I start my podcast. I mean, your doomscrolling is pretty deep. That's dark. I don't, well that's, it's, it's, what comes up on the feed, man? What do you want me to say? Right? It's what you look at. Holy crap. It's the stuff you spend your time on. You know what, you should spend your time on Amore. What should I, what? Talk to me. Sort of Sophisticated. You know what I want to do? Do you know how, stop laughing at me. Do you know, do you know how, like, we've made it? Do you know when we've made it? How? I'll tell you when we've made it. When I'm doomscrolling. And you come up on your own feed? And some shit comes up, like, right, where it's like, Sort of Sophisticated's coming up. I don't know how that even happens. That would be the best ever. Do you doomscroll on your own personal account? Or do you doomscroll on Sort of Sophisticated? No, I never doomscroll on Sword Sophisticated. Oh, okay. But if I doomscroll on my personal account, and like, and like, all these, like, first of all, if I came up, that'd be one thing, duh, because they know I'm connected somehow, because, you know, the universe does that. But like, then if I started getting all of like, Oh, like a repost. Like, reposts, or like, stuff that we've already talked about, that's starting to come up, like, then I know I'm like, In the inner, what do you call it, the inner webs? You made it. I'm in the inner webs. Then you're trending. Oh my god. Okay, fine. Speaking of trending, can we start today's episode please? Because we're already off track and we're like five minutes into this thing. Okay, fair. Okay. So do you know what's coming up? Uh, there's a lot of things coming up. Your birthday! The Academy Awards! What? Yeah, they're happening right now! They are! Let's go! don't, if we don't talk about them, we're missing the moment, and We have to talk about them. We do. That's, that is what we're gonna do today. We are talking all about the Academy Awards, people. Which you're gonna have to educate me a lot about. Well, considering I, uh, crammed all this into my brain in the last 48 hours, um, this is gonna be fantastic, so, um, Amazing. We are gonna be totally, sort of, sophisticated today. Well, because, truth be told, I go to an Academy Awards party every year, but I actually have no clue what's happening. Do you bring a charcuterie, like you do to Super Bowl? Yeah, you get to pick, no, you get to bring like a little apathy thing to bring. I do not go to one. But usually it's by theme, so like, you know, one year was like all gold, so then I had to have like time with gold. Anyways. Do you know what you should do this year? What? You should all dress up as Cardinals and go as like all the College of Cardinals. Just so we can all, yeah, we can all support Conclave. Okay. So before we all get up in our robes, can we do the word of the day? Totally, let's do the word of the day. You got one? I do! You got one loaded? Let's go! What is it? Are you ready? Yeah. Canard. Canard? Yes. Is that like retard? You cannot say that. Now we have to edit that out. You can't say that. No, no! Oh, I don't like that you edit me out all the time. Listen, chill out. Like, retard. Like, to hold back or retard progress. Not like, retard. Like, I'm not that bad. Relax! I mean, you are, which is why I immediately assume. Bad. That is, that is, by the way, that's totally fair, but in this case, I really meant to retard. Okay, fine. To hold back. Fine, fine. Okay? But no, it does not mean to hold back. What does it mean? It's actually a noun that means a false or misleading story. So, a false or misleading story usually meant to deceive people. Oh, wait. So, like, basically all the shit that leaks out about who's going to win Best Picture leaning up to the Oscars? That's like one canard after another, right? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I totally got this. That's perfect. Like, I'm set. Like, I don't know how I'm gonna, I don't, okay, I gotta figure out how to work this in. Okay. Well, fair. Right. So, without further ado then. Wait. So, wait. So, hold on a second. It's a noun. It's not like, I can't say canarding or like canarded. Correct. This is not a verb? Like. Nope. Oh my God. So, I have to say like, it's a canard. Yes. Okay. A false or misleading story. Okay. Okay. Okay. I'm putting it in there. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, without further ado. Why don't we dive right into the Academy Awards then? Because it's definitely Hollywood's biggest night. Oh, shit. For sure. Totally is. Um, alright. Can we do history? Because I love doing history first. Yes. Let's go. Okay. It started all the way back in the 1920s. 1929 to be exact, people. For context, because I know we love our context. We were still in the middle of Prohibition at the time. Like, do you remember Prohibition? When no one was allowed to buy, make, or basically, like, transport alcohol anywhere. Amanda, 1929, women had barely gained the right to vote. We hadn't even hit the depression yet. And fun fact, if you remember from our earlier episodes I probably don't. Jimmy Carter was already four years old at the time. The dude was born! Oh, actually I do, I do remember that. Let's go! Okay, there wasn't even sound in movies yet. Talkies, that's what they called them. Talkies, when the sound started coming in movies, they were just starting to take over. Like, can you imagine a world without sound in movies? Kill me. I wouldn't even want to watch a damn movie. I mean, you would absolutely need to be killed. No. Yes. Because it would be awful for you. But that's how long ago this started. Okay, okay. Like, this is almost a hundred years. Fair. Okay. Okay, I think you made your point. Move on. Okay. Okay, so it's May 16th, 1929. And Hollywood is this shiny, glamorous, Glamorous! New industry. Okay. The sign had just gone up like five years earlier. Oh, another fun fact, Amanda. It was originally the sign that went up like Hollywood. It wasn't Hollywood. It was called Hollywood Land. That seems so much cooler. Yeah, I know. Okay, so listen. so it took like another 20 years before they ripped down the land part and just stuck with Hollywood. Why would they do that? Okay, I had to look this up. If you remember, Hollywoodland was originally a real estate advertisement for a housing development called Hollywoodland. That's so random. And it wasn't until 1949 that they took the land part down to represent the actual, like, district of Hollywood. Huh, never knew that. And that's gonna be the best fun fact because I actually hike once a year with my friends up there. I've never gone there. It's on my bucket list. Oh, you should. It's an easy hike. I don't want to like get all like in your shit, but I want to go with you. Well, you can come. You're invited. Did I just push my way in? Yeah, and then you're the one who can deliver the fun fact And then you'll just be on the inner circle. Fun fact, you know, you know, there's something I don't know though I have no idea like how hot like how did Hollywood get adopted as like the movie industry of the world like Like did they just like right did like movie studios just start showing up in a Hollywood district And then it became synonymous with Hollywood like that. We're gonna have to do an episode. Can you google that shit? Right now? Well, yeah, like look it up so we know we should know the answer of like how like Why did the movie industry specifically end up in Hollywood? Okay, you look that up. Okay, I'm gonna keep going. I'm gonna get back, okay. Alright, where was I? Somewhere around the 1920s? Okay, alright, alright. So, it's 1929, and everyone is obsessed with movies. And the studios are cranking out films. But at this point, that's sort of all they got. They hadn't figured out how to celebrate like the best of the best like no red carpets no golden statues No, super awkward political speeches. Thank god. I wish I lived back then Um, then out of nowhere the academy of motion picture arts and sciences Which had just been founded a couple years earlier decides They want to throw a banquet and honor the best films of the year and let me guess They didn't just hand out certificates No, of course not couldn't be basic way too boring, right? They went big Like, like, we, like, everybody has to do, like, big, right? Big, big. They decide to create an award, duh, but not just any award. Oh my god, wait, hold on. Do you remember a Christmas story? Yes. Like, the leg lamp when it gets delivered and Ralphie's dad's outside staring at it. Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, okay, whole neighborhood comes by. And someone asks him, what is it? And he's out there, he's out there on the curb and he goes, Why, why, why, it's, it's a, it's a major award! That's, I have no idea why I just thought of that. That's hysterical. Like, that's the first Academy Award. It's, it's a major award! Let's go. Okay, um, nothing can take me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window, people. Oh my god. best part of the movie. Anyway. Okay. That's like what? Don't get into my brain. That's right. That's how I think of what the Academy did. They probably were like, Oh my God, like lamp. Okay, we'll do an award. Okay. Anyway. So they made this little golden statuette that would become the most iconic symbol in Hollywood. Except it was like a whole body instead of just like a hot sexy leg and fishnets, I guess. And they called it the Academy Award of Merit. But of course. We all know it as the Oscar. Fair enough. Right? Um, but I do have a question. What? Do we know the answer to the chat GP? We don't yet. But I do have a question. So, the Academy Awards is the same as the Oscars? Totally! Oh. The Academy Awards is the same. The Oscars is the name of the statuette. But we always call it the Oscars. Yeah. I mean, it's a short, it's because we're lazy. And now a little more sort of sophisticated. Yeah, totally. Right, right, right, right. Um, but I guess you gotta go big or go home. Because those statues obviously were a big hit. That's iconic. Absolutely. Because now they're known as the Oscars. Okay, so they basically go all out. And they plan this whole extravaganza. Statuettes and all. And everybody dresses up and meets at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. To party like it's 1999, people. Let's go, Prince. Shout out. Um, well I guess more like 1929, not 1999. You get the idea. Okay, the first one was a private dinner. With about 270 people. Tickets cost 5 bucks. 5 bucks! Can you imagine? Amanda, see the first Oscars. That's it. Like they even sold tickets. I don't even think they sell tickets anymore. The whole thing lasted 15 minutes. Like, the awards part, not like the dinner part. And like, they just got up after dinner and announced the winners and like That was it. It was done. It's crazy. No pump. That is crazy. No pump, man. Cause there's so much pump and circumstance now. Okay, wait, hold on. What did the original Oscar back in 1929 look the same as the one today? It totally did. Yes. Okay. Like almost exactly. Like I was surprised when I was looking this up. That makes me like it a little more. Yeah. Okay. So they made the design just like a little more decorative now and made like the base a little bigger to like fit more shit, but like, otherwise. Same, same. It was designed, not that you asked, but by some dude named Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by some other dude named George Stanley. So the original statue featured a knight holding a sword standing on a reel of film with five spokes representing the original branches of the academy. Actors. Directors, Producers, Technicians, and Writers. And really the only main difference between now and then, is that the early ones were made of solid bronze and were gold plated, and today they're made out of something called Britannium. I had to look that up. I guess it's like a pewter like alloy. Whatever, thank you, ChatGPT. And then plated in 24 karat gold. But the overall size and shape haven't changed since literally its inception in 1929. That's amazing. You know me, I love my little history. There it is. That's the best fun fact. But that didn't make me have another question. Okay, what? So how did it? Do you know if you didn't have questions, I don't think we'd have a podcast. Like, this is excellent. I'm glad that this works this way. I'm glad that I come in so naive for you. Well, I mean, because sometimes you do some serious, you do some serious ass research. You come in, you ask a question. I love it. Okay, go ahead. We all have our strengths. I have more weaknesses. It's fine. Um, how did the Oscar get its name? And why didn't they just keep the Academy Award of Merit as the name? Because that would be the dumbest name in the world. Or did it just like Who wants to win the Acca Here, Amanda. You just won the Academy Award of Merit. Oh, well, okay, drop the of merit, maybe. It's a major award. You could still say you won an Academy Award. But it sounds like, it sounds so high school. The Academy Award of Merit. You're on the Dean's list. Was Oscar someone's name? Yes! So here we go, two theories. Okay, so the first one is, um, Betty Davis named it after her first husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. That's sort of speculation, there's no real history there. Like, that one sort of popped up and was, like, gone. Like, I couldn't find a lot more on that. And the other more popular theory is that some lady named Margaret Herrick, who apparently was the Academy's librarian, thought the original statuette looked just like her Uncle Oscar. Except, of course, kind of like a miniature and gold plated version of her Uncle Oscar, because he wasn't only like, 18 inches tall or whatever. You get the idea. And then the name sort of stuck from there. Uncle Oscar. Okay, hold on, but two things. What? First, um, Uncle Oscar must have been in pretty good shape and easy on the eyes. Oh my god, seriously, right? Because look! And that, like, statue! Yeah, I know. It's very fit. Yes. Okay, but also too. He's very sculpted. He is very sculpted. That was good fun. Okay, wait, but number two. What? Have you actually like looked at an Oscar? No, no, no. Like really looked at it? Well, um, I'm not gonna lie to you, I have looked to see if it has genitalia and it does not. Oh, okay. But that's the only place Have you looked at its face? No. Because it really could be anybody, right? It's not defined at all. It doesn't just look like Oscar? No, it's just like like Uncle Oscar? Like a bulb. Like a light bulb. So wait, so, uh, so I have a question then for you. Um, what the hell is this Margaret Herrick? She must have thought her uncle was cut. She probably, did she have a crush? Probably just the body. Did she have a crush on her uncle? Maybe, just the body. I'm having a, I'm having a minute right now. Right? She's like, oh my God, look at, look at, oh my God, he looks so fantastic. That's totally Uncle Oscar. Dad! Dad, can we go to Uncle Oscar's house again? Alright, sorry. Um, That is horrible. Okay, either way, I would think Uncle Oscar was like Arnold Schwarzenegger or something. Right? Seriously. It's not that jacked. No, that's true. Sylvester Stallone? I don't know. Jean Claude Van Damme? I'm not one of those guys! Okay. And by the way, total random fact. Guess who we have to thank for like, making the word Oscar stick. Like I mean, I know Margaret Herrick was like, the person that like sort of named it. But like, then it's gotta stick, right? Like, guess who we have to thank? Do I know this person? You totally know this person. You go visit, you go visit his land. No way. All the time. It was Walt Disney? It was Walt Disney. What? Yes. How? Right. Because he totally called it an Oscar during his acceptance speech for The Three Little Pigs in 1934. And because he was like, Walt Disney people like okay, we're gonna call it an Oscar from then on so like Margaret Herrick names him and then Walt Disney kills it There we go, right not well enough who would I just learn Academy Awards and Oscars are the same today. Oh my god But also I told you didn't pay attention so there's that you know, you know what I'm making all this up anyway. This whole episode is a total I shouldn't bring any of this up. It's a total canard. Okay. I'm making the whole thing up. I had to look it in somewhere. Good job. Alright, anyway, go ahead. So when Walt won, was there categories back then? Or was it all just a free for all? No, no, no, no, no, totally. They were totally organized from the get go. Like, the first Academy Award had 12 freaking categories already. Like 1929. Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, all the good ones, right? But they did do it a little different. They didn't announce all the names, like, and then pick the winner that night in front of everybody. Remember, it was like, only 15 minutes. The winners were actually announced three months before the ceremony, and they just got a phone call. Did they get a phone call? I don't even know. Did the telephone exist? I was just gonna ask that. Maybe they got a text? Well, not a text, but you know what I mean. Whatever. Pony Express showed up at their house. I have no idea. But basically they knew what was going on. There was no suspense. No weird looks on the TV when they lose. They just like, like that was it. Like, they knew. And then they just showed up and then they were like, yeah, you win. But can you imagine how anticlimactic that must have been? I know, totally, right? I mean, I love the old Hollywood vibe though. Like all the glitz and the glamor. Did it start getting pretty crazy soon after that or did it take a little while? No, no, it like basically got big like pretty fast Like this wasn't like a whole run up or anything like at first It was just that small industry event like I sort of explained earlier, but it took like I don't know ten years Maybe and by like 1940 already it had started to become like a big deal It started being broadcast on live radio because no TV's yet. Shout out to Christmas Story, yet again. Little Oakley Annie show. Um, and then TV came along in the 1950s and just like everything else we talk about, it went bonkers. The TV. Yes, the TV did everything. Well, it's kind of like the cell phone and then it's kind of, well, it's like the computer. Let's start with that. Cell phone, right? Then now, AI. Like, I mean, they have these things that are just, they're bonkers. Okay, um. So how many people were watching back then? Millions? Um. Yeah, viewership shot up pretty quick in 1929 with a few hundred people like I said, but by the 1950s millions were millions We're watching on TV. And by the 1960s, it was like global already. Well, I'm kind of guessing that it didn't take very long before all the fashion and the drama started getting involved. Because now it's televised and people are invested. Red carpet started in the 70s. And everyone started trying to outdo each other with like all their outfits. Like during the disco era, right? Or like fast forward today with the non outfits. Oh my god, totally. Right? Yeah. Which I by the way, don't get me started on that because I would argue people should go to jail for that because that's indecent exposure But because everybody likes it. Nobody does anything about it. I guess somebody was walking down the street in that It wouldn't be acceptable. Well, let me tell you that so you're gonna appreciate me for a moment because normally I'm a misogynistic asshole I understand that and you do an excellent job trying to make me a better human and I really appreciate that But I will tell you Whenever I see that I do not get excited. Like I get frustrated because I do not think that they should have a separate Sort of like what do you call that like stat not status? Like, they shouldn't have a separate standard for, like, people in Hollywood get to dress a certain way, and somehow that's acceptable to show on t I mean We're showing it on television to everybody. Imagine your kids are watching. Right. Like, it's completely unacceptable because you're absolutely right. If there was a woman walking down the street, and she was totally nude, she would be Brought up on charges for in decent exposure or, or like public drunkenness or whatever it is. Like, it's totally bullshit to me. I do get super angry and we just overlook it, like, oh, it's no big deal. They're allowed. Yeah. I hate it. Okay. There, I like it. PSA, like, like your little soapbox ran over. I'm done. Yes. Okay. Uh, okay, okay. Hold on. Time out. Um, that's your first time out. You have two timeouts remaining, two full timeouts remaining. Okay, fair. But can we talk about the hosts? Yeah, what about the hosts? Like, can we talk about how that whole thing kind of just got started? Because now it's just a whole nother level. I think that's wonderful, because I already talked too much. Uh, your turn, and I need a drink. I have an idea. I'll drink, you give us the details and the history behind all of the hosts that you speak of. Is that a deal? Okay, fair. Okay, go. Not all the hosts. Just a few in particular. Is that okay? A few of your faves. Whatever. Or standout ish. I'm just going to be drinking over here. Go. Okay, fine. So okay, so back to the beginning. The first Oscars in 1929 didn't actually have a host. So it was a straight forward It was host less? Well, I mean it was a straight forward announcement of just who the winners were, right? But then Snooze fest. That's what we called it at the very beginning. Oh my god, fine, kill me. So then in the 1930s, they brought in an emcee to kind of make things entertaining, and do you want to guess who the first host was at this time? Um. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I have what? I don't, I hate when you do this to me. You always like you to embarrass me. I have no idea. No, that was a pretty good guess. right? President, but really right? Sure. The ringing. Walt Disney, like was he, was it Wal Disney? No. Okay, well the real host was, Will Rogers. What?! Yeah, 1934. Let's go, Will Rogers! So you're right there, you did it. Okay, so ever since then, it became a tradition to have a big name comedian or actor kind of run the show. So kind of like, like a whole variety show. Dude, we're still doing this in 2025? Let's go. That's so old school. Like, I don't, like, like, let's get on the train of doing something new and different. But it's not really a variety show at all. But you got to remember the host job is to set the tone for the whole night and keep the audience engaged so they don't get too full of themselves and still somehow make the whole thing feel like a celebration of cinema. It's not just about cracking jokes it's really about honoring the art form. Okay. I, that's a fair point. I mean, like they have to hold the whole thing together. It's a big deal. Yes. Okay. But like, let's be real. Some hosts, like they've totally bombed. Right. Absolutely. There've been some legendary flops, but there have also been some really iconic ones too. Wait, so wait. Okay, now I wanna know who's the best and who's the worst. I mean, the best is probably Billy Crystal. I loved him. Or maybe Ellen DeGeneres when she ordered pizza for the whole audience. Do you remember that? I don't, but uh, did she order pepperoni? And I totally wish I was there. I actually wanna know what she ordered. We should, oh my god. What are we gonna do? We're gonna end up chat GPT in this whole freaking episode. Right, all the random shit. Okay, whatever. Okay, okay. Okay, what was the worst? Uh, probably the worst was Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy. What was this, like 2013? Uh, I, so I'm biased because I sort of like Seth MacFarlane, but I do remember this. Like actual like Academy Awards and he it was pretty bad like yeah, he went over he went over the top I was a little much. It was it was too much. Okay, so thanks for that little a lesson I feel more sophisticated now on best and worst. I mean, it's all based off prerogative. So not really fair, so back on track. So, can we get back to the history stuff? Totally. It's my turn now? Shit, you got to talk like two seconds, and you like gave us like Billy Crystal, and you're like Pete, now it's your turn again. It's true, because I have a question. I'm exhausted. And I always have a question. What? Did the Oscars run every year consecutively? Oh my god, you always ask this question. I do, because it's fascinating, like did it run through the war, the pandemic, and all the other stuff? Or was it like the Rose Parade, and it got cancelled a few times, so we just kind of pretend like You're super consistent, like, I'm gonna ask all the same questions all the time. Um, okay, yeah, so It's fascinating, what do you want? You're gonna love this. It's never skipped a year since it started. Wow! It's never been cancelled. Well, and I guess, there was all this talk about whether or not it would be cancelled with all the fires this year. I know. And they decided not to. You know what, I'm telling another canard. Just kidding. Okay, um, but it did get postponed a few times. So, not for the reasons you would think. Huh, for that COVID. Because I feel like COVID would do it. Okay, yeah, well, I lied. Okay, sorry, yes. For COVID, damn it. It was delayed for like two months. But other than that, But then I remember everyone being super upset. Yeah, but, but, okay, so that, so to get, Yeah, yeah, COVID was a thing. You just called me out. And I didn't mean to do that on purpose. I was thinking of the other ones. Okay, but the other three were not because of the pandemic or anything. What were they for? Okay, so the first time was in 1938 Due to what was called the great flood of 1938 in LA I guess it was like a pretty big deal because we didn't have enough infrastructure to handle like all the rain Pouring down all over the streets of LA or I don't know Maybe we had dirt roads or whatever they had back then I don't know so it got postponed a week until they cleaned up all his shit and got things like moving again That's so random. I didn't even know we had a great flood of LA in 1938. I think we have a new podcast. Right, let's go. Okay, uh, the next time was in 1968 after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Rest in peace, R. I. P. Um, they, uh, they postponed it two days out of respect for MLK. And even then when they went through with it, it was like a super, super somber occasion. I can imagine, because I wonder what the tone will be like this year. Oh, like with the fires and everything. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, totally right. Okay. Um, and the most recent one before COVID, the third one was in 1981 after, if you remember, uh, the attempted assassination of president Ronald Reagan when it was delayed only 24 hours. Um, because apparently you have to die to get a two day postponement like Martin Luther King. If you're only maimed like Ronald Reagan, it's just a one day postponement. But it's a one dayer. Oh my God. Right. Stop it. Stop it. Well, I mean, but seriously. I don't know. Like, I don't know. Martin Luther King gets two, like Martin Luther King should have got, like, at least a week or two. I mean, I'm more amazed on like, the time is so small. Ronald Reagan gets, right, Ronald Reagan gets a day. They're like, Oh my god, he's dead! No, he's not dead. We're good, okay. Anyway, I'm gonna switch gears on you. Of course you are I love that. I know at least you keep it like you keep it like going right like I appreciate hopefully Yeah, because otherwise, I'm just here droning on about this random shit, right? Go. Well, you said it not me. Yeah I know. Okay, so if we're doing an episode on the Oscars, then we got to talk about some of the controversies, right? We said we would never do that maybe just a little bit. Okay, fine. Okay, we could do it. We could do like a little okay So why don't you then tell me when the Oscars started getting all political? was it always like that or is it like something new ish because it is like Hyper political new. I love newish. Is it newish? Okay, it's hollywood and my newish. I mean like, you know, and then last yeah 2000s dude, totally. Um, yeah. No, I don't think it's very new or anything There's always been like drama in hollywood one way or the other. It's freaking hollywood. It's hollywood land people Um, but since our show is about only remembering snippets of info to make us cultured, right, then one could argue the Oscars kicked into high gear, politically anyway, at the 1973 Academy Awards when Marlon Brando won Best Actor for The Godfather. The Godfather. But sent Sashin Littlefeather. Self proclaimed White Mountain Apache to decline the award on his behalf to protest Hollywood's treatment of indigenous peoples. Shout out to our indigenous peoples app. Except fun fact, in 2022, Jacqueline Keeler interviewed little Feather's sisters and was able to debunk the whole thing and found out that little feather was Mexican. She wasn't even Indian. And also, by the way, another fun fact, she posed for Playboy. So there's that. And I'm not saying that doesn't make you credible or anything, I'm just spitting facts. Sine little feather says she's a white mountain, Apache goes up on stage, makes this giant political statement. Then, apparently, shows her tits in Playboy, and is a Mexican. So there's that. That's crazy. Totally debunked. That's crazy. Right? And by the way, that's not even a canard. That's like a real story. That's like serious shit right there. You were going so hard with it. Okay. End of the day today. Let's go. Somebody's got to. And by the way, we said we were going to like keep track. I'm like winning like a hundred to five. Like it's not even funny. I could never. I don't know why you ever thought this was a competition to begin with. Okay, well. But that whole story reminds me of the whole 2015 thing. You know, with the hashtag OscarSoWhite thing. Do you remember that? Oh yes, right. Okay, so I guess it started or I guess restarted the whole debate over diversity in Hollywood And now it just seems like everyone has something to say when they're standing up there and they win And I get it, but it also kind of drives me nuts because it feels like it's just come so far from what it was Oh, seriously, it's hard to watch sometimes so much ego, but then every once in a while You'll get like something amazing. And you're like, Oh shit. That was like really pointed or really good. And then you can appreciate it again. Booyah. Now I want to know. Want to know what? Like, which ones? Oh, like which ones I think are, like, awesome? Yes! Oh, okay. Okay. Um, Halle Berry. Okay, you remember Halle Berry. For Monsters Ball. That was a good one. Oh, that was amazing. And, uh, so I have her quote, because I looked it up. And I quote, This moment is so much bigger than me. This is for every nameless, faceless woman of color who now has a chance. Because this door tonight has been opened. It was magnificent. It was chilling. I loved it. Okay. Um. But see, do you think that's really like, such a political statement? No, I do think it's a political statement. Yes. I mean, what, okay. Yeah. Like they make all sorts, they make all sorts of statements. Some are about diversity, some are about politics. Like Sure, yes, yes. But this is more of like, okay, fine. I'm using Platform. Okay. Platform. I'm just using pla. Okay. Sorry, sorry. I, okay, okay, okay. Fair. You did ask me politics and I'm going platform. Okay. Uh, another one, Tom Hanks. He won best actor for Philadelphia and he said, and I quote, I know that my work in this case is Mag. Do you remember Philadelphia? Like the, the movie about the guy who died from AIDS contract. Okay. Oh. Anyway, it was, I would honestly highly suggest you watch. It was excellent. Added to my list. I tell right. I know. Okay. Anyway. I know that my work in this case is magnified by the fact that the streets of heaven are too crowded with angels. We know their names. They number a thousand for each one of the red ribbons that we wear here tonight. They finally rest in the warm embrace of the gracious creator of us all. Super thoughtful, super well done, making a pointed statement about just, uh, I guess AIDS in general, I guess, uh, the, uh, for, shout out to the whole LGBTQ, like, like, community, like, it was awesome at the time, even though right now I can't stand him. I have nothing to say to that. Right? What do you remember? That was awesome. I mean, I love when it, like, pulls in what the actual movie was about. Yeah. Oh, no, no, that's, that's, that's when I like him. Right, instead of like They recognize, right, that their story and the reason why they won. Instead of being egomaniacs, correct. Right, like it was about something bigger than just that. Correct, I know. That's awesome. Okay, well then you have the polar opposite though. Because James Cameron, when he won for best director, right, for Titanic. Oh, yes. Yes! Remember he right up on the stage, total idiot, and screams, I'm king of the world! Which I totally get that he was trying to be funny, but it kind of came off arrogant, and a little too, like, self congratulatory to the audience. Oh my god, no, it was like, he was trying so hard. Titanic was such I know. I know, I know, I know. An epic. And he was trying to be funny. Well it felt like so out of touch, right? Yeah. Because again, Titanic was such an epic moment in history. Shit, enough with the speeches though. Can we move on? I have an idea. Okay, fine. Okay, can we go through the top five like most iconic moments in the history of the Academy Awards? Yes, but only if I can start. Like it could be anything. Yeah, no, no, no, that's fine. It's just like whatever felt like, Massive. No rules. Just whatever's massive. That's what that's like, stupid. Is in front brain, right? Go. Go, go, go. When Will Smith slapped the shit out of Chris Rock. Yeah, duh. I mean, come on! Rock made the joke about Jada's shaved head. And then somehow they let the show go on and Smith ended up winning Best Actor for King Richard and gave this super emotional speech but the shit had already hit the fan and everyone was laughing at the Academy for not handling it immediately. Yes. And it was just like a shit show. I couldn't watch. Like how could you do that? The fact that he didn't get kicked. So go back to the whole thing with the red carpet and like people getting naked on the red carpet. Right, double standards. This was the same problem. Yeah. Bitch slaps Chris Rock, sits back down. Right. And the fucking shit goes on. Like it was okay. Right. Like we're in the, there's the cold violence. And then they let him win. Uh huh. And then instead, at that point, even if they let him win, I would have been like, oh it goes to Will Smith, but you know what, we're not gonna have Will Smith come up on stage. Then he comes up on stage and I don't know if you remember, he talked forever. Don't get me started. Obviously. I'm like, oh. I, I completely agree with you. A, a whole moment. Okay, my turn. Can I go? Yes. Okay, um, I'm gonna go with the whole, like, biggest screw up ever. La La Land, Moonlight, if you remember, for Best Picture, they screwed it up. Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were handed the wrong envelope and accidentally announced La La Land as Best Picture. But it wasn't even nominated. Yes, it was. Oh, no, no, it totally was. Yeah, yeah. And all the La La Land people stood up and they were like getting a hug. They were hugging and doing all this thing. Oops, my bad, yo. Yeah, uh, Moonlight. Like they just flipped it, but who screwed that up? How do you screw that up? They, they handed the wrong envelope to like somebody on say like, I, I, whatever. I guess they have all the envelopes. Preprinted, yeah. I don't know. You would think like on the front of the envelope it would say, yeah, you best movie. You, you would think so. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, yeah. No. Unbelievable. Okay. Uh, can we do like one more each? Sure, I thought you said five. Yeah, well, okay, four. Shut up. Okay, four. Go, it's your turn. Do four. It's your turn. Go. Do you have another one loaded? Uh, I do, I do. Okay, go. What? What do you got? Uh, so I thought the whole Ellen DeGeneres selfie thing was pretty awesome. Wait, wait, what? Wait. Yeah. Wait, wait. Oh, that was the one with Meryl Streep. Yeah. That's how, well, Totally, totally. Yeah, yeah. Okay, so if you remember, she grabs Meryl Streep and said she wanted to take a selfie and go viral, but then saw Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Brad Pitt, I think was in there too. Yeah, Julia Roberts too. Like, yeah, yeah, yeah. Totally. And a couple other people were shoved in there too, like Jared Leto, and she puts them all in the aisle and they took the selfie and it broke the internet. And it was awesome. Super random. But if I remember right, like, it got some flack for like, the whole idea of like, celebrating Hollywood's elitism. Like, oh, look it up. It was amazing. I remember this picture. I mean, yes, but isn't that exactly what the Academy Awards is? It's celebrating Hollywood's elitism. I know, but it's like, that's the James Cameron problem. Like, it's like, yes, I get it, but like, That's true. You have to have some humility. But like, selfies. So let's start with her intention was pure because it was just going to be her and Meryl Streep. Like, I remember this. She's like, Oh, let's take a selfie. And then she's like, Oh, wait. And that's where she blew it. Because she's like, go, go, go. And then. She didn't even ask you there were people that just started jumping up like Jared Leto and like I think Julia Roberts I think people just started getting in it right and that's when it was like, okay enough's enough. All right, it was kind of dumb All right. Anyway, uh, alright, and since we already talked about Sashin Littlefeather, uh, my last one, I'm gonna end then with Michael Moore and his whole anti war speech after winning Best Documentary for Bowling for Columbine. He used his platform to shit all over then president George W. Bush and the whole Iraq war with the now famous scathing words. Yeah, you heard me. I said scathing people. Shame on you, Mr. Bush. And that totally silenced the audience. It was like, it was a lot. There was a lot going on there. Um, all right, fine. All right. Should we talk some lore? Now it's time to talk about the future of the Oscars. Like, where are they going from here? And since I did all the general history stuff, it's time you do a little predicting, please. Oh, I'd love to. Because I love to just, like, pull shit out of my ass. You're a good, you are a good predictor. Fair. Okay, well, let's be real, though. The Academy has been sweating a little lately. Because ratings are dropping, people are complaining it's too long, and, like, don't even get started with the whole who's hosting drama every year. I mean, it's just a bunch of Disappointment. All the way around. So what's the big plan here? How are they going to like keep this whole hundred year old tradition relevant now that we got TikTok and kickass streaming all over the place? I mean they're definitely going to have to shake things up for sure and in like a big way because they have to appeal to younger audiences. Shake it up. Shake it up. Not like that though. Oh, sorry. Yeah. Not Taylor Swift. I mean, you're going to see. Wait, Swiftie? That'd be Grammys, right? Grammys. Grammys. Okay, sorry, my bad, y'all. Go ahead. Okay, well that means more diverse nominees, more genres getting love, like superhero movies and horror flicks and definitely shorter speeches for sure. Or no one's gonna watch. It just kind of drones on. It is totally droney. Um, you know what it's like? It reminds me of Brad Pitt in Moneyball. Did you see Moneyball? I did. Yeah, it was one that I did see. Adapt or die, baby. Adapt or die. I love it. Let's go Brad Pitt. Absolutely. Okay, fine. And they're also starting to lean into the whole streaming thing. Like movies from Netflix, Hulu, and Apple TV are now legit contenders. Which also blows my mind. Let's go! Yeah, they put so much work into them. They should be right. Amen. Okay. And the Academy is finally admitting that not everyone watches movies in a theater anymore. So it's shocking. I know. And we're good for them to catch up like 10 years too late. Yeah. We're in this historical moment. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. What about this whole like movie magic thing? Like, right? Like Isn't the Oscar supposed to be about, like, the big screen experience? I mean, sure, but again, we're in this, like, historical moment where that's all shifting, and so they're trying to balance it. Like, they're all about celebrating cinema, but they're also embracing the fact that streaming is the future. And let's be honest, some of the best stuff right now is coming from streaming platforms. Like, everything you watch is on a streaming platform. When's the last time you went to the movies? Well, I like going to the movies. Right? So it's kind of one of those, if you can't beat him, join him situations. Okay, that makes sense, but like, what about the ceremony itself? Like, is it still going to be like a three hour fricking snooze fest? Okay, so here's the tea. They're experimenting. Shorter run time, more interactive stuff for the audience at home, and maybe even some viral moments that they're going to sprinkle in there. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. What do you mean more interactive stuff for the audience at home? What, like polling? I mean, it's going to be stuff so that people Are we going to make a game? Are we going to game show this shit? What do you guys think should be the best picture? A. Conclave. B. Okay, no, okay, fine. Could you imagine though if they gave the voting right to like the public and not to whoever the judge's panel is? We would need Ryan Seacrest. It wouldn't work any other way. There you go. We gotta have him over here. Yeah. Alright, fine. Alright. Uh, sounds like they have their work cut out for them, right? But hey, if anybody can pull it off, I believe in Hollywood. Totally. They're in the biz of selling dreams, right? Okay. Um. And who are we kidding? If all else fails, they can just like bring back Billy Crystal to host, right? Dude's a legend. He was a legend. Problem solved, people. Let's go. Okay, then. Well, I think that's a wrap. Unless you got anything else you want to add. Oh my god, I have so much more to add. Nope, nope, nope. I could drone on and on and on. Nope, nope, nope. I lied. I lied. Take back that question. I could be a energy vampire and suck the life out of the room right now, people. Mm. Okay, fine. And that would be different somehow? Just go. Just do fun. Do your fun. Hey, go. Do fun facts. Did you look up a bunch of fun facts? Yeah, I did. You want to do it? all, you know what? ChachiPT, did you go back and look at what I asked you to look up about Hollywood Life? I did. Did you know that Hollywood actually Go. Okay, wait, wait. This is the first fun fact. Ready? First fun fact. Amanda, go! So, it all started on the East Coast. And they were all using Edison's cameras, and They were using what? Edison's cameras. Okay. And then some legal stuff happened, and they were taking all the cameras back. And, because Edison Studios was located in the Bronx. So then they all decided to move to Los Angeles. Mostly because they had milder winters, larger selection of places to film. Of course they did, thank you Rose Parade. And, the most important fact about it was that it was 90 miles to the border of Mexico. In case they needed a flea from Edison's enforcement agents. Holy Shit. That is the best fun fact I think we've ever had in the history of fun facts. Well, now I, now, like, all my, I feel like, like, completely inadequate. All of my fun facts are, I don't even know what to say right now. Okay, well, I'll be the judge of that. They're gonna be terrible. Are we ready? Yep. Okay, um, number one. Did you know the youngest person to ever win an Oscar was only ten years old? Totally. Ten? Ten. Tatum O'Neal. Won the Best Supporting Actress in 1974 for her role in Paper Moon at the age of 10, making her the youngest competitive Oscar winner in history. Go Tatum! That's crazy. I love the Bad News Bears. Did you ever watch the Bad News Bears? Tatum O'Neill was in the Bad News Bears. We love her! Okay. Um, number two. During World War II, Okay, in case you people aren't following along, 1942 to 1945, the Oscars were made of plaster due to metal shortages. And the winners were allowed to trade them for gold plated statuettes after the war. So in 1950, this guy Harold Russell, who won two Oscars for The Best Years of Our Lives, traded his in for the gold plated kind, and then subsequently sold one of his statuettes for a dollar! A dollar to help cover his medical expenses. How is a dollar gonna help? It was 1950, what do you want me to say? I think it helped. That's crazy. I think he had hemorrhoids. I don't know! Okay, that's my fun fact. Okay, uh, number three. At the 2003 Oscars, Adrian Brody, who, mind you, I love, received a six minute standing ovation after winning Best Actor for The Pianist. I mean, that was an incredible. You did. Okay! I just rewatched it. Let's go, Pianist! It still clocks as the longest standing ovation in Oscar history. History. And that's right after he totally made out with Halle Berry on stage and freaked her out. I don't know if you remember that. It was super rando. Um, and, and talk about misogynistic. Like, she wasn't even ready for it. It was so, he like totally made out with her. Go look that up. I don't remember that. I don't, do not remember that. So when he, when he won, he walked up on stage. Made it. She was presenting? She was, she, she presented, gave him the Oscar. Like, well, she, you know what I mean. Like, presented the award. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And he just grabbed her and started making out with her and when it was over you saw her face and she, she handled it like a, like a star. Double standard. Talk about that double standard. Absolute double standard. It was, it was, uh, uh, don't get me started. Okay, anyway, um, okay, unbelievable. Why do we celebrate these people again? I don't know. Right? Like Seriously, because The Pianist was an excellent movie. Um, okay. Number four, only three films in history have won what you call the big five awards, best picture, best director, best actor, best actress, and best screenplay. Any idea? What, why am I asking? Right, like this is like deaf ears. Okay, fine. Um, it happened one night in 1934. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, 1975, best movie ever, go Jack Nicholson. It ain't a nickel martini. Best line ever. Uh, Silence of the Lambs, please say you watched Silence of the Lambs. Holy shit, right? The lotion in the basket. Yes, yes, put the fucking lotion in the basket. That was totally nuts. Totally well deserved. I love that one. Oh my god, Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins. That was excellent. It still freaks me out. I still watch that movie and she, she totally showed my pants. I mean, it's so crazy that those are the three. Those are the three. That got the big five. It happened one night, one flew over the cuckoo's nest, silence of the lambs. People, iconic. Go watch them all. Okay, um, number five. The Oscar was almost called the Iron Man. Right, probably because he was so buff. Um, before setting on the iconic design of the knight holding a sword uh, the Academy. Consider naming the award Iron Man instead of the really boring Academy Award of Merit. Thank God for Margaret Herrick, right? And her good old uncle Oscar for being totally hot. She totally saved the day. Let's go! So random. Right? I know. She had a crush on him. I think so. Sort of weird. Okay, number six. The shortest Oscar speech in history was just two words. Oh my god, why couldn't they all be like that? In 1952, William Holden won Best Actor for a Stalag 17. His entire acceptance speech was, are you ready for this, Amanda? Thank you. That was it. It remains one of the shortest speeches in Oscar history. Oh my god. We need more times less is more of this Right. Okay. And finally last one. Did you know that a dog once won an Oscar a dog? I have never won an Oscar but a dog like a dog dog dog. Yeah in 1939 Terry the dog Who played none other than Toto in The Wizard of Oz was awarded a special Oscar for her performance. She even had a paw print ceremony at Groman's Chinese Theater. Alright, I'm obsessed. Those are great pics. Good job. You nailed it. Thank you as always. Well, I'd like to thank the Academy Well played well played. Okay. Well before we wrap it up. Why don't you hit us with a recap? You know the part where we frantically write everything down so we don't miss anything So that way we can always have our little takeaways and we can play it out in real life. Okay, fine Let's do this. Are you ready? First things first if you haven't already Go watch some classic Academy Award winning films. Seriously, we just talked about like a bunch of them. Casablanca, The Godfather, Parasite! I love Parasite. All of them, really. I really don't give a shit. All the best pictures deserve your attention. I'm not saying you're gonna love everyone. Like, relax, but at least you'll sound cultured at your next dinner party. And that's the whole goal, people. Remember? Okay, fine. Um, second, go support your local indie theaters, right? The Oscars are all about celebrating art. The art of filmmaking. And small theaters are the lifeblood of that culture. Go up to Santa Barbara, there's some awesome, like, film festivals up there. Uh, and third, if you're really into the Oscars, host a viewing party at Amanda's house, or start a film club! Or even try your hand at predicting the winners. It's a fun way to engage and maybe, like, impress your friends with your film knowledge. Uh, okay, finally, here are a few key details to drop at your next party to sound like a total film buff. Um The Academy Awards, or AKA, as we now know them familiarly as the Oscars, started in 1929, making it over 95 years old. It was created by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to honor our outstanding achievements in film. The first ceremony was a private dinner with only 270 guests, and tickets cost 5. Fast forward to today and it's one of the most watched television events in the world. Number two, the Oscar itself stands about 13. 5 inches tall and weighs about 8. 5 pounds and is made of gold plated bronze. The design features a knight holding a crusader sword standing on a reel of film with five spokes representing the original branches of the Academy. Actors, directors, producers, technicians, and writers. Okay, number three. We talked about the shortest speech in Oscar history, but the longest speech in Oscar history goes to Greer Garson after winning Best Actress for Mrs. Miniver in 1943. It was clocked at five and a half minutes long. After that whole nightmare, the Academy implemented the 45 second rule and the whole music to, like, play people offstage. Thank God for Greer Garson for screwing that whole thing up. We love you because now it's only 45 second speeches! And finally, there's a tie for the most awards won by a single film. You want to guess? Yeah, I do. What? Titanic. Cause I think it won everything that one year. Right. Yeah, so that's yeah, it's on the list. It's one of the ties. I wish it wasn't but it is Okay, actually that was a good movie though. I like Titanic. It was the first moment where everyone clutched their pearls Oh my god. I was clutching my pearls way before then. Okay, um Ben Hur in 1959 Titanic in 1997 and My favorite. Thank you very much. The Lord of the Rings The Return of the King in 2003 all hold the record for the most Oscars won by a single film guess how many Ooh, nine? Close! Eleven each. Eleven. Return of the King is the only one to win in every category it was nominated for. They went eleven for eleven. Total blowout. I feel like I need to re watch that one. Oh my god, it's amazing. I watch it every year. Uh, okay, you're officially ready to party, people. We're done. We out! Go for it! Close us up a mandita! Alrighty then. And there you have it, fellow listeners. The story of the Academy Awards. Or as we just learned, the Oscars. Just think, the next time someone mentions watching the ceremony, you'll know there's so much more to it than red carpets and golden statues. You might even be able to say, hey, actually, did you know it all started as a small dinner party to honor the best in film? Yes, let's go. The Oscars are more than just a glamorous awards show. They're a celebration of cinematic artistry, storytelling, enduring magic of movies. From its humble beginnings in 1929 to today's global spectacle, it's a story that reflects the evolution of filmmaking and the power of creativity to inspire and connect us all. So if we've done our job right today, you're leaving sort of sophisticated, ready to drop some fun facts. And hey, Pete. What? I got another one for you. You got another, you got another fun fact? I do. What do you got, what do you got? This one's gonna impress your friends, are you ready? Yeah. Did you know the biggest snub in Oscar history was that Alfred Hitchcock never won an Oscar? Holy shit, no. Seriously, how did I not know that? I don't know. Alfred Hitchcock. Oh, that's terrible. Blows your mind, blows your mind. And it'll blow everyone else's too. That's a shame, people. That's the only one you need to remember. Right? I love it. So make sure you remember it. Alright, so if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it. Come on, people. Leave reviews and subscribe. We need listeners. Peter. Sorry, go ahead. Share it with anybody who loves film history or just a great story. Until next time, stay curious and inspired and keep celebrating the art of cinema, people.
