Hindsight: 2002 Oscars

A fairly tedious Oscar telecast this year, presented by the monumentally tiresome Whoopi Goldberg (why did the entire audience fall apart in hilarity at this woman who is the nadir of nausea?) Or was it a communal improvisation exercise in contrived sincerity? Beats the hell out of me. She can't act, hasn't a clue how to dress and as for being a comedienne.......

However, and as expected, the suits of Hollywood yet again flexed their (lack of) muscle and relegated the supreme performance of Russell Crowe in "A Beautiful Mind" to the ranks of perceived has-been. As a gesture to complete their 'let's embrace the black thespian' p.c. move (Best Actress to Halle Berry and Lifetime Still Alive Standing Ovation Award to Sydney Poitier), the winning 'goldboy' handed to a perplexed Denzel Washington is now tarnished and diminished. Crowe's minor scuffle with UKTV's Malcolm Gerrie at the BAFTAs obviously resulted in a silent 'tut-tut' from the LA buffoons on the Academy and they've made themselves look even more ridiculous by dishing out the remaining prestigious awards to "ABM" for a distinctly lacklustre helming job from 'nice guy' Ron Howard (for best pic and direction), and another for supporting actress Jennifer Connelly. Oooooh, handbags at dawn and get it up ye, Russell!

Still on my movie-moanathon, weren't all the 'Best Songs' horrendous? Randy Newman? Dear oh dear...has-been fat slobs ahoy! (Did you check out the allegedly unwell Ryan O'Neal?) Sure isn't being troubled by anorexia.

It was totally wonderful however to note that the mighty and unswervingly marvellous Jim Broadbent has finally been recognised, ironically for his weakest performance in recent years (Iris)! Anyone who recalls his staggering virtuosity in varying roles such as 'Little Voice' and more recently 'Moulin Rouge', can't possibly question the validity of acclaim for the tremendous talent of this outstanding actor.

Highlights: Woody Allen in top form, (and Norah Ephron's NYC flickmix was a delight), John Travolta - gleefully spaced out on funcakes, David Lynch visibly thrilled at a mere namecheck from the stage, Kevin Spacey's commanding presence prior to the "In Memoriam" screen sequence concluding with a joyous George Harrison tribute.