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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/2901-.html
Comedy: February 25, 2009 Issue [#2901]

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Comedy


 This week:
  Edited by: Sophy
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"Julie Christie was absolutely amazing in 'Away From Her.' Brilliant movie. It was the moving story of a woman who forgets her own husband. Hillary Clinton calls it the feel good movie of the year." ~ John Stewart, February 24, 2008, as host of the 80th Academy Awards

*Laugh*

Hi, I'm Sophy ~ your editor for this edition of the Comedy Newsletter. This week we'll talk about the Academy Awards from this past weekend.


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Letter from the editor

Oscar! Oscar!!

This past Sunday Night I was glued to my television screen for three and a half hours watching the 81st Annual Academy Awards, not because I'd seen any of the nominated movies (because this year I actually had not seen a single one of them) and was interested in who would win. No, I was watching in the hopes of seeing an Angelina/Jennifer smackdown live on network television. Alas, it did not happen. *Frown* Brangelina smiled politely and laughed in the appropriate places when Jen was on-stage presenting some award with Jack Black -- and at one point it even appeared that Jen shot a warm smile Brad's way. Very disappointing I must say. I was totally hoping for some hair(weave) pulling and other girl-fight mayhem. We barely even got awkward, darnit!

Thankfully we got some other kinds of awkward during the show, like when Eddie Murphy presented a lifetime achievement award, one "nutty professor to the other," to Jerry Lewis, who looked a bit lost and confused when he walked out there but was blessedly short with his thank-you speech. And speaking of awkward, we also got a very lame Broadway-esque song and dance routine with Hugh Jackman and Beyonce that was just ... well ... it was just wrong on so many levels, far too many to go into here. Let's just say that it sucked (especially compared to the fabulous opening number)! And there were way too many awkward camera shots of Mickey Roarke -- what in the heck happened to that poor man's face?!? Does anyone know?? He looks like he was held hostage by Joan Rivers' plastic surgeon for the last decade or so, seriously.

I did manage to enjoy the show in spite of no Brangelina/Jen smack-down (come on, tell the truth, you know you were all hoping to see some sparks -- maybe John Mayer getting up in Brad's grill a little bit during a commercial break, or Jen tripping Angie on her way to accept the Oscar she ended up not winning). I thought Hugh Jackman did a decent job hosting in spite of that dance number with Beyonce (and the pre-show lapdance he gave Barbara Walters <shudder>!) and I liked the new way of giving out the Best Actor/Actress awards with five previous winners on stage to present each award. That was nice.

But what about some funny "comedy gold" moments from the 81st Annual Academy Awards for me?

*Thumbsup* I loved Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix during his presentation with Natalie Portman. Priceless (and awkward)! He nailed Phoenix's bizarre Letterman appearance from a couple of weeks ago spot-on!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pflgMxxBPuY&feature=related

*Thumbsup* Then there was Comedy movie montage with James Franco and Seth Rogen -- watching them bust a gut laughing while watching a clip from "The Reader" and "Doubt" made me snort.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk6LZ7x1ljM

*Thumbsup* *Thumbsup* Tina Fey and Steve Martin were the best presenters -- especially when he shouted "Don't" at her, followed by "fall in love with me!" Maybe they can co-host next year, with Alec Baldwin?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnA4OYag-ws

*Thumbsup* And I loved when Kate Winslet asked her dad to whistle so she'd know where he was sitting, and he let out a loud, shrill whistle before she'd even finished asking for it -- after which the camera pans to her dad wearing a fedora, that was priceless. Here's a clip, it happens near the beginning of her speech:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA1E8FHw7LI

*Thumbsdown* Speaking of hats -- what the heck was on your head, Philip Seymour Hoffman?? It's the Oscars for goshsakes -- take your hat off! It was so bad I won't even link it for you -- you may thank me later

*Thumbsup* This is the Comedy Newsletter so I won't touch on the emotional speeches given by members of Heath Ledger's family, but I will say that I did enjoy Sean Penn's rather subdued acceptance when he called them all "commie, homo-loving sons of guns!" Sons of Guns? Dude, what have you done with Sean Penn?!

All in all it was a pretty good show -- my only real complaint was that all of the nominated films were so serious. I wish they'd add a special category to the Oscars -- Best Comedy. And it should stand alone -- not like the Golden Globes with their Best Comedy or Musical category. Just Best Comedy. Period. If they did, what would your nominees be for Best Comedy in 2008? Write in and let me know, I'll share your answers in next month's issue.

Until then, LAUGH ON! *Bigsmile*
Sophy


Editor's Picks

Below you'll find some offerings from other WDC members about the Academy Awards/Oscars:

First, a fun Madlib!
 The Ultimate Summer Blockbuster  (13+)
This movie is guaranteed an Oscar or two.
#955839 by Davy Kraken


Next, some intentionally "bad" poems about poor Oscar:
 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1079541 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1079328 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1078796 by Not Available.


And a few more comic offerings to check out:

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1521782 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1522049 by Not Available.

 "O" pinion  (13+)
Jon Stewart awakes at 8:30pm PST and realizes it was just a horrible nightmare
#1079032 by Walkinbird 3 Jan 1892

 Invalid Item 
This item number is not valid.
#1263172 by Not Available.

 
STATIC
My Oscar Fantasy  (13+)
...totally self-indulgent
#383890 by Cappucine

 
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer


Now for a few comments about my last newsletter on preparing for the Super Bowl:

From Robert Waltz
Sophy, Sophy, Sophy... I'm disappointed.

1. Commercials are the reason I don't watch TV - Superbowl or not.

2. Super Bowl parties are the reason people abandon their New Years Resolutions.

3. Bruce and the Band will not flub up, and they are NOT "getting old." *Angry* (and I wouldn't put it past Bruce to fake a wardrobe malfunction.) Still, just once, instead of the bandana, I wanna see Steve van Zandt on stage wearing the hairpiece he wore as Silvio Dante in The Sopranos. I called it the "Hell Toupee."

4. My only bet is that I bet I'll only watch the halftime show. Can't miss Bruce *Bigsmile*

The worst thing about the Superbowl? Whatever number it is - in Roman numerals - is how old I turn a few short days later. I don't like that.

Mostly, I'm disappointed because you talked about Bruce without linking anything from my port. How am I supposed to get exposure here if... wait. I'm an editor of this newsletter. I get plenty of exposure.

Never mind.


Mea Culpa, Robert, for omitting your Bruce items -- hopefully I made it up to you by including one of them in my edited version? *Bigsmile*

As for Bruce -- no, he did not flub. But when he did that slide across the stage on his 60 year old knees I gotta admit, I was worried about him. Bet he couldn't walk at all the next week! *Wink*

As for the commercials -- come on! You don't think they are the best of the best? Check this one out and tell me, honestly, it doesn't make you laugh!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbh4sqgyr7c

Or how about these?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdfvWAp5GUw&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZetD7cdj7w&feature=related

Gotta LOVE that Etrade baby, eh?

*Snow1* *Snow2* *Snow3* *Snow1* *Snow2* *Snow3*

From Coolhand
Super entertaining newsletter! Glad to see you're a music fan--great stuff.


Glad you enjoyed it, thanks! *Bigsmile*

*Snow1* *Snow2* *Snow3* *Snow1* *Snow2* *Snow3*

From quinkylar
Yes! Someone else has figured out the true nature of watching the Super Bowl: the commercials.

...then again, many people have, but that's besides the point.


The commercials were great -- and the game was even pretty exciting this year!

*Snow1* *Snow2* *Snow3* *Snow1* *Snow2* *Snow3*

That's all for this month -- see you next time! And on behalf of the other regular Comedy Newsletter Editors, Robert Waltz and Ԝ€ß☆ԜiʈCH remember to WRITE AND LAUGH ON!
*Bigsmile* Sophy

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