How the 2025 Oscars Could Save Los Angeles (and Themselves)

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Initially, I penned this Oscar analysis with the aim of illustrating how award shows serve as a conduit for shared feelings within society.

Despite the heart-wrenching devastation caused by the wildfires, they have the power to inspire us and bring us together in remarkable ways. For instance, just as Barbra Streisand’s performance at the Emmys following September 11 brought healing to many souls, or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s posthumous Grammy win in 1971 united us despite our differences, these wildfires could also stir within us a sense of unity and purpose similar to Michael Moore’s passionate speech at the Oscars during the early days of the 2003 Iraq War.

An elegantly organized Academy Awards ceremony on March 2, featuring thoughtful tributes from those who have suffered and undoubtedly moving acceptance speeches, could serve as just the right occasion for both Los Angeles and the nation – a unifying event that, at its peak, awards shows are capable of embodying, much like a national Thanksgiving dinner.

Forget all that.

I’ve come to believe that by 2025, the Oscars should undergo a significant transformation. A bolder approach could be to eliminate the entire awards segment altogether.

On Sunday, Rosanna Arquette proposed on Instagram that the Oscars be transformed into “the most impactful telethon globally.” Since her character Roberta’s dramatic wine bottle attack on Nolan in Desperately Seeking Susan, this is arguably one of Arquette’s most powerful suggestions.

The Academy has announced that the Oscars will proceed as scheduled, minus some pre-event glamour such as the nominees’ luncheon (with several academy governors losing their homes in the fires adding to the uncertainty). They are still working out the format and mood for this year’s event. If they were just to carry on with the standard lineup of presenters and speeches under dimmer lights, and perhaps a segment dedicated to tributes, it might come across as insensitive or a wasted chance to make a meaningful impact.

Instead, let’s envision the show as a grand, arts-focused campaign to raise awareness, reminiscent of the impactful shows from the 1980s. It aims to revive the grandeur of every Oscars decade except the most recent one. This telecast will offer the compelling qualities that we miss in today’s awards shows while shining a light on fundraisers like they haven’t been for decades. Picture a blend of Farm Aid’s heartfelt appeal with the epic grandeur of the Titanic era.

Here’s one way that could look:

Each attendee is expected to bring a guest, but this individual should be someone who has experienced the aftermath of the wildfires. It could be a long-time resident of Altadena, or perhaps an artist from the Palisades. What matters is that they have suffered a loss. To hold this event and not acknowledge the pain it caused would be meaningless.

When the victor is declared, rather than expressing gratitude towards every manager, representative, or publicist, the prize recipient would be prompted to discuss a person affected by wildfires – not the events that led them to this triumphant moment, but the experiences that shaped their guest into who they are now. By doing so, winners could shift from being stereotypical Hollywood figures and instead portray relatable everyday Angelenos. If desired, the guest could join the winner on stage and share their own thoughts.

For individual winners, it would result in a striking scene – a prominent figure stepping onto the stage alongside an ordinary citizen, allowing them to shine as the main attraction.

For winning teams, they’d transform the unknown masses of individuals into a collection of their previous achievements or assets.

Instead of having a separate charity segment during award shows, let’s incorporate it into the main event by allowing each nominee to choose a cause close to their heart – this could be a victims fund, a firefighting charity, an environmental group, or a shelter. When the nominations are announced, the narrator will also mention the chosen charity for each nominee. When the winner is declared, their selected charity would be displayed on screen, giving them an opportunity to speak about it in more depth and invite viewers to donate to this worthy cause.

Prime-time fundraisers, often seen as tacky or less engaging, can actually be effective if executed tactfully. For instance, by incorporating a text or QR code, and maybe some witty self-deprecation from host Conan O’Brien. Such an approach not only manages to avoid being tacky but could potentially generate substantial donations for those in need. (The Grammys have hinted at incorporating charity into their February 2nd show, but the details are yet to be disclosed.)

In my opinion, a portion of the Oscars ceremony could benefit from being filmed remotely, showcasing scenes of destruction instead of trying to hide it. While we’d still see the formal attire at the Dolby Theatre, acknowledging the devastation would be more authentic and lessen the feeling that the Oscars are scripted and contrived in today’s era where social media allows for raw, unfiltered content. This approach aligns with the genuine spirit of modern times. Moreover, it provides a platform for those affected to share their stories, which could help rejuvenate the perception of the Oscars.

I realize this is a big pivot for the Academy and ABC, both logistically and spiritually.

I’d suggest two points to them. Initially, it could be a massive ratings booster. After all, who wouldn’t want to watch their beloved celebrities in vulnerable moments, or catch up on the emotional and uplifting tales that have been trending on social media lately? And secondly, people would tune in just for the raw humanity, presented by some of the most unexpected personalities.

As a gamer, I’d say this: But numbers crunching isn’t my thing. For folks like us, the point is straightforward. A Farm Aid Oscars could transform one of TV’s biggest stages into a platform for both making a difference and delivering the kind of grand, emotional rollercoaster that leaves you feeling both moved and enlightened.

This Oscars ceremony could go down as one of the most memorable ones. For a brief instant, it might help to lift our spirits about global circumstances.

The upcoming Oscars show could become a classic in history. For just a short while, it may provide solace and make us feel optimistic about world events.

Your move, Academy.

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2025-01-14 00:54