Bette at the Oscars

[HereAndThere2]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 10:47am

I had two favorite Oscar moments:   Olivia Colman's acceptance speech.   And this.

 

 

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 11:08am

I thought it was a dull performance of a lackluster song. I was generally disappointed by Merry Poppins Returns as a whole, but the songs were a particular let down. I had hoped that The Devine Ms. M. would bring something to the song to make me feel something... anything, but still felt indifferent to the piece.

Here's to hoping we see her do a tribute to Carol Channing at the Tony Awards, and get the performance we didn't see from her last year.

[HereAndThere2]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 1:57pm

I also thought Bette's gown was the evening's best.  Very Southern California chic.

[SweetLips22]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 4:49pm

Well that song was a whole lot of nothing. Why on earth did Bette agree to sing that? Any American Idol contestant could have made that dreary song sound more dreary.

Bette doesn't need exposure---she looked and sounded OK, but????

Did Feed the birds' win an Oscar?  Would love to hear Bette sing that one---she would tear the heart out of it.

[amoni]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 5:16pm

She sang it because she is decades long friends with the song writers,one of who was playing the piano. Plus it is a lovely song that deserved win and way better than the dirge that won only because of star power.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 5:21pm

This dull song win over Shallow? Yeah, right. Gaga and Barbra- just standing there- were the showstoppers of the night.

[Erzlump]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 5:36pm

SweetLips22 said: "Well that song was a whole lot of nothing. Why on earth did Bette agree to sing that? Any American Idol contestant could have made that dreary song sound more dreary.

Bette doesn't need exposure---she looked and sounded OK, but????

Did Feed the birds' win an Oscar? Would love to hear Bette sing that one---she would tear the heart out of it."

 

Chim Chim Cher-ee was the only Mary Poppins song nominated, but at least won Best Song. 

 

While I don't actively dislike the song, I thought Mary Poppins Returns featured stronger songs than the one that was eventually nominated. The Place Where Lost Things Go while a decent song, to me at least, is not as strong as similar Shaiman and Wittman songs like Hang the Moon.

Updated On: 2/25/19 at 05:36 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 8:16pm

I thought Midler's brief performance was fine and the song seemed to have potential, but given just the one chorus and crammed into 120 seconds, the number wasn't really given a chance.

The same was true of "Fight", but since I think Diane Warren is a mediocre talent I only felt bad for Miss Hudson.

Compare the treatments of those two numbers to the multiple choruses, staging (however simple) and imaginative camera work for "Shallow". Or the feel-good, audience sing-a-long in their fancy gowns for the two songs (however shortened) by Queen.

No comparison, really.

Updated On: 2/25/19 at 08:16 PM

[LuPita2]

Posted: 2/25/19 at 8:42pm

She wasn't good, she was pitchy and dull.  The only performances of note were Queen/Adam and Gaga/Bradley.  

Updated On: 2/25/19 at 08:42 PM

[BJR]

Posted: 2/26/19 at 9:57am

Lord, what snark. The original post gave two favorite moments but of course it devolves into why others' favorites were terrible and the "only" good moments were actually they're own picks.

It was lovely to see her up there, especially since, let's be real, that'll probably be the last time she performs at the Oscars.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/26/19 at 9:59am

I have yet to see Mary Poppins Returns, but I thought Bette and the song on Sunday evening were quite lovely.

[KirbyCat2]

Posted: 2/26/19 at 10:41am

I thought she was f***ing divine!! A classy, Broadway-style number done right on the Oscars is rare. Her and Marc are masters of their craft, and the love onstage was palpable.

Updated On: 2/26/19 at 10:41 AM