Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host- Page 2
Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
mc1227
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/07
#25Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 5:24am
About 10:00pm last night I created a post about this topic but did not submit it because I thought it was overly critical.
NPH was an awful choice as host to begin with and now we see why. You can say it was the writing but say that it is Neil himself. I always get the feeling that he thinks way too highly of himself and his talent. Mediocre singing voice, way too much snark and he seems to act like he hasn't gotten older like the rest of us.
When Billy Crystal hosted, he had a lot of input with writing and topics. He could not sing and dance but he sold it each and every time. That is really why those telecasts were so successful. He did not stand up there and just read and smirk. An Oscar host needs much more input and control since they are the ones who are front and center all night. A seasoned professional would understand that. NPH was just taking full advantage of his over exposure and overrated talent and he was exposed. Thankfully because I will never watch another awards show he is involved with again.
The only review of a show that matters is your own.
#26Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 6:04am
I love NPH but he needs to take a break from hosting.
He should come back to Broadway. I was blown away by his Hedwig.
....but the world goes 'round
#27Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 6:14amHis Tony's two years ago was spectacular. This wasn't too hot. But the song performances and some of the speeches (Arquette!) made up for NPH's lack of entertainment value.
Auggie27
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
#28Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 6:46am
Did no one else notice the single worst hosting transition? When the woman who won a lesser award mentioned losing her son to suicide, within seconds NPH made a joke about the balls on her dress? It was a moment of spontaneity that cannot be blamed on poor writing, and it was gasp-worthy. His tone deafness was startling. But I'm just tired of him, period. I was willing to accept his smug narcissism through most of the opening (which wasn't scintillating but not offensive), but like the least effective hosts, wore out its welcome by the second hour. Say what you will about younger demographics, or any other component, the evening loses what shred of dignity and elegance it still possesses when the host appears in his skivvies. I'm still old school enough to hold onto that. And having heard him trash-talk some non-celebrity gown after she made a plea for compassion for suicide, I was done with him.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Updated On: 2/23/15 at 06:46 AM
#29Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 8:38am
"Did no one else notice the single worst hosting transition? When the woman who won a lesser award mentioned losing her son to suicide, within seconds NPH made a joke about the balls on her dress? It was a moment of spontaneity that cannot be blamed on poor writing, and it was gasp-worthy. His tone deafness was startling."
It was crass and it bordered on misogyny. It left me wondering if NPH thought that his orientation gave him license to take a cheap shot at a mature woman who gave one of the most heartfelt and sincere acceptance speeches of the night.
#FactsMatter...your feelings not so much.
#30Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 8:50am
while i loved NPH hosting the TONYS...he was out of his depth at the OSCARS...he is no BILLY CRYSTAL or ELLEN even...the media has built Harris up as some sort of GAY spokesperson and i hate that...as the LA TIMES critic said he really is not of the people...he is most likely part of the 1%...which helps to explain his insensitivity last night...
i truly loved the JACK BLACK "witch's rap" take off though!...YAY SONDHEIM...:)
#31Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 9:12am"Ellen can you hear me?"
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#32Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 9:19am
Can you really be surprised that the guy that had a BBQ platter in the shape of Amy Winehouse's corpse at his Halloween party made an offensive and crass joke?
ONTD story on NPH's Halloween party
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#32Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 9:19amoops, double post.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Updated On: 2/23/15 at 09:19 AM
#34Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 9:20am
"Did no one else notice the single worst hosting transition? When the woman who won a lesser award mentioned losing her son to suicide, within seconds NPH made a joke about the balls on her dress?"
Yup. And that's when I turned it off.
It made me long for the days of Anne Hathaway and James Franco. At least that was a car wreck that was fun to watch.
Auggie27
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
#35Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 9:33am
Javero's comment on borderline misogyny struck a chord. Harris's self-aggrandizing and humorless display of pulchritude in the same show wherein he bashed women for their "look" just tonally off. This idea that being a cute gay man gives him a pass when it comes to white male privilege-fueled sexism, yes, doesn't work. And really, the 160 sniper kill LA industry joke was so strained and unfunny, its abject tastelessness wasn't even obvious until a 30 second delay. Notice the booth/producer fumbling to find someone to cut to (the Kyle family was strenuously avoided; but who thought we'd watch people roar and slap their knees as we recall 160+ dead people in Iraq, no matter what one's political persuasion. This wasn't a WW I joke, it's about the last tumultuous decade, not a time to watch elite show biz folk giggling over a war dead one-liner.) Ricky Gervais he is not. His arrogant grin isn't exactly a twinkle in his eye. I've gone from being neutral about this man to hoping not to see him anytime soon.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Updated On: 2/23/15 at 09:33 AM
Auggie27
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
#36Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 9:33amDouble post, the last thing I want do do on this subject.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Updated On: 2/23/15 at 09:33 AM
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#37Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 10:38am
Is his Tony gig now forever over?
The Oscars are always an overlong boring mess. They did not disappoint this year. Sometimes a great host can somewhat save it. It did not happen this year.NPH looked like a single A baseball player being thrust into game 7 of the World Series. Totally out of his league.
Poster Emeritus
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#38Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 10:43am
"And having heard him trash-talk some non-celebrity gown after she made a plea for compassion for suicide, I was done with him."
I'm just curious. When he's offstage, is he paying attention to what's going on onstage? I don't give him a pass for the comment, but I wonder how much he's actually paying attention. Obviously if he had to run take a pee, he may not have heard the remarks about suicide.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#39Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 10:47am
If he sensed early on he was on his own Titanic, did he just phone it in the rest of the way?
He and Dave Letterman need to get together and commiserate. How about they co author a book "How to not host the Oscars".
Poster Emeritus
bfpjohn22
Swing Joined: 3/9/12
#40Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 10:50amIt wasn't as bad as people are making it out to be. My own opinion is that it was "fine" Nothing special but simply fine. Hugh Jackman bombed at the oscars also. His opening number was worse than Neil's. What do all successful oscar hosts have in common? They're all comedians. (degeneres, rock, crystal, martin) Comedians know how to handle that type of room and that caliber of an awards show. Neil was fine as a host and the writers didn't help him joke wise either. He's far from overrated. His performance in Hedwig alone made it clear that he can act the hell out of a part if given the opportunity.
#41Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 10:51amExceptionally unfunny writing + Harris's aging cute boy schtick = I went to bed long before the show was over.
#42Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 10:55am
"It wasn't as bad as people are making it out to be."
Oh, ok. I was worried my opinion was really how I felt. Thanks for clearing that up for me!
bfpjohn22
Swing Joined: 3/9/12
#43Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 10:57amYou're welcome!
mamaleh
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
#44Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 11:04am
Ouch! Harris brought the ratings down by double digits from last year.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ratings-for-NPH-Hosted-ACADEMY-AWARDS-Fall-by-Double-Digits-20150223
Hugh Jackman, by the way, did NOT bomb. He is widely considered among the top ten hosts of all time, and deservedly so. His energetic, creative opening number killed and received a standing O among the audience. All remained visibly seated last night--and with good reason.
The upshot: The Oscars deserve class, not crass. Bring back Jackman.
Updated On: 2/23/15 at 11:04 AM
#45Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 11:46amI actually felt bad for NPH, the writing was awful (and I believe it wasn't a comedian writing the jokes). It's far too conservative the Oscars so it kinda felt like his hands were tied. I liked the opening but the jokes after that were mostly lame, though a couple were quite funny. It also didn't help him that the whole night took on an odd political rally feel.
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
Jack Hughes
Chorus Member Joined: 3/23/07
#46Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 11:58amThe opening joke was excellent. The opening number was one of the best ever. After that it was kind of boring, but what the heck, I've seen worse.
#47Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 12:00pm
"In his defense, hosting the Tonys is a different animal. It is not a big unwieldy mess like the Oscars but a tightly knit machine."
I hope this is a joke. I mean, I know we all love Broadway (that's why we are here) but the Oscars have proven to be a much more tightly run ship than the Tonys almost every year in recent history. I remember being at the 2009 Tonys and there were so many sound issues (and lest we forget, performers running into falling scenery in a ludicrous opening number)... and every year since I yell at the TV at the continual production issues, how wonky the show is, and how almost every musical number has zero relevance to a television audience that probably hasn't seen the show yet.
Unless you are in the business the Tonys watch like one is sitting on the outside of a joke being told by a bunch of close friends. I love the Tonys for sentimental reasons (and because I love theater) but the actual show almost never can hold a candle to the production quality of the Oscars. Just being objective. That said, all award shows suffer from some level of live disorganization, self-indulgence, and egg laying jokes. That's the beast. I actually found NPH fine... some jokes fell flat (He has a love for puns and I agree about the briefcase bit... too long a walk for such little payoff). But whatever, that **** is hard!!! He did just fine and the Ben Affleck joke was super solid. I am more upset that The Lego Movie was not only not nominated for Best Animated Movie but not nominated for Best Picture. That thing was brilliant.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#48Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 12:11pmThe Tonys are still the stepchild of award shows. Everyone cheers when the Tonys come in on time at 10:59 pm and scolds if they run to 11:01 pm. The Oscars can just go on and on all night and nobody thinks twice about it.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
philly03
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/07
#49Neil Patrick Harris' first and last year as Oscar host
Posted: 2/23/15 at 12:17pm
I thought he was cringe-inducing also on several occasions and just seemed completely separated from years past. The making fun of the woman's dress after the suicide speech was what took the cake (I thought being in his underwear was bad enough).
Did anyone else notice the random music intros? Octavia Spencer walking out to "Love You I Do," for example? "Pure Imagination"? "Go the Distance"? Random!
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