It's award season!
To some of you that may mean absolutely nothing (shame on you), but to many of us it's that exciting time of the year when Hollywood rolls out the red carpet and gives actors and actresses, and many people behind the scenes, awards for making good movies and reading lines better than most. It's also the time when all the magazines at the beginning of the checkout solely focus on what celebrities wore. It's like a silk rainbow of gowns and suits you'll never get to wear. But you still live vicariously through the Hollywood elite wondering what Emma Stone's lemon yellow chiffon dress would look like on you. However, regardless of what anyone is wearing all eyes end up on the host.
The pre-award season buzzes with potential nominees; funny guys and gals that can bring a wit and grace to any award show. I believe that these men and women come under the most scrutiny. I mean they are on the stage for the most amount of time and must pick up the audience when a political rant went too far, or to lighten up a less than seamless stage transition. Nonetheless, I believe that, aside from Billy Crystal because he really nailed the job, that Hugh Jackman was the best host Tinsel town has seen.
The other night this glamorous season kicked-off with the Golden Globes. This is the one show where television and movies come together. Plus those attending get to drink and eat. It's the one complaint of the Oscars; too many starving artists by the end of the night. Jimmy Fallon, whom I love, was the host. I didn't watch the show and was asleep by 9. However, regardless of my failure to add to the viewership I awoke to pleasant reviews about the late night show host. I always have high hopes for the hosts. Neil Patrick Harris, Tiny and Amy (Ok, yes they killed it), Anne Hathaway and James...well lets just forget that ever happened, and even John Stewart, all managed well on the stage. I'm mainly speaking about the Academy Awards, but only brief moments were memorable and I had hoped for a better show. Now I know it doesn't all fall on them. They are writers and producers who also have a part to play, but Hugh, good old, hansom Hugh Jackman won my heart over.
Hugh Jackman brought a spirit to the stage that I had never seen before. Jackman hosted the 81st Academy Awards in 2009. He opened with a brilliant musical number, swinging Anne Hathaway off her seat and onto the stage proclaiming the musical was back! Mama Mia and High School Musical had hit the big screen and more musicals were in the works at that time. It was an exciting time in Hollywood, and Jackman ran the night with that enthusiasm. The entire night was like watching a musical while people revived awards in between the scenes. Jackman's voice, presence and his unforgettable smile had me at "hello," or whatever his first word was. At some point in the show he was in the middle of a monologue explaining some background on why certain actors and actresses were nominated for the coveted award. He then, and I'm paraphrasing, said, "However, if you're an Australian, playing an Australian, in the movie Australia, you host..." I just thought the line and his delivery was so clever. The musical numbers were exciting and brought the audience out of any potential bore.
What I'm trying to say is that a host can make or break a show and Hugh Jackman raised the bar, in my view. I will never forget that show and wish they would invite him back. Don't get me wrong there have been some really excellent hosts of award shows over the years, and some may disagree with me, but I truly enjoyed myself that night.
If you get a chance you should look up some clips from Hugh Jackman's time as a host. Maybe we can start a fun hashtag and bring him back just like he sang the musical was back!
