TCM Remembers

[bansi4]

I just caught the TCM year-end salute to the performers

who died this past year and as usual it was inspiring and sad.

I was glad that they didn't forget Jan Sterling, Anna Lee and Virginia Grey who they failed to give a separate spot to at the time of their demise.

The dimmed bar with the lone patron and the song as usual) fit the occasion properly.

[classicsfan1119]

I've seen it once myself now, and yes it's really sad to see who we lost this year. It's a very nice Tribute, as always. Hats off to TCM for doing such a good job with such a difficult task at year's end.

[path40a]

I've seen this a couple of times now and think it's great, especially Fay Wray's two "looks", though I did find it curious that while it mentioned Alan King actor(?)/comedian, it fails to list Reagan as actor/President.

[classicsfan1119]

Path, I believe that TCM's intention was to take note of people who were in the "Entertainment" field, and this would account for why Ronald Reagan's Presidency wasn't noted. Well, I'm sure that there are those who believe that the Office of President does amount to "entertainment", but best we not get into that here. ;0ML

[coffeedan1927]

What I love about the annual "TCM Remembers" tributes is the way the actors' actions in the various clips are juxtaposed with the words in the background song. It makes the tribute that much more poignant.

[brackenhe]

Pretty funny ML--

[jhnrndglt]

I am sad they didn't include Doris Dowling who was so great in THE LOST WEEKEND and THE BLUE DAHLIA....she passed away in June.

 

I agree, the song is terrific. And the visuals are as always well chosen!

[loveoldmovies04]

It is very sad, these tributes always put me in tears, I think last year was the worst cause so many of my favorites died and they played that song "I will remember you" and that song always gets to me.

* the stars will be missed *

-phoebe

[path40a]

Does anyone still have this short, or have a list of the stars in TCM's 2004 tribute? It would be interesting to compare it to the one done on this year's Academy Awards show. I couldn't believe the applause responses Sunday night of the (ignorant & younger?) crowd, who seemed only to clap for the well known or more recent "stars". I also couldn't believe that they left out some of our favorites while including an agent!

[deborahwakid11]

Hello:

 

I can make a list of the TCM Remembers from this past year. I do have one copy.

 

I must say, the Oscars really did a totally lousy job of the In Memorium This Year. They left off so many people, and included some I found odd (like some agent and Jerry Orbach). Don't get me wrong. I like Orbach, but I think he only made around three movies that I know of. He was mainly a stage actor and television actor, not a motion picture actor.

 

Among the people they left off were Frances Dee (who got left off SAG), Jan Sterling, Ruth Warwicke (who died in 2005), Anna Lee, character actor John Randolph, among others.

 

It was disgraceful, especially since what they had to offer in its place was so lackluster, boring, and downright cruel at times.

 

This was the worst Oscar telecast I have ever seen. Since viewership is down again (2 million viewers) I think others agree with me.

 

Ann Miller wasn't include this year because she was included last year.

 

Deborah

[edgedrv]

It's always unfortunate when the Academy fails to remember so many people. I just wonder who puts this things together, or are they just ignorant! Jan Sterling was even a former Oscar nominee. As for this year's OSCAR show I found it to be deadly dull. No surprises whatsoever. I think its about time Martin Scorcese was honored, he has been nominated so many times and the director has done so much for the preservation of film.

[deborahwakid11]

Hello:

 

I know what you mean. It's almost like they threw this thing together haphazardly, without even really caring who they included and who they did not. The people who are running this stuff now have no respect for the old stars of Classic Hollywood.

 

I agree with you about Martin Scorcese. How about giving him a special award next year. I wanted him to win for Best Director for "Aviator," which I think is his best film.

 

My mother thinks it's a Spielberg thing, meaning they are jealous. We all know how long it took Spielberg to win his two awards. In fact, I would have given Scorcese Best Director for "Raging Bull" instead of "Robert Redford" for "Ordinary People," his first directing job. Those boxing scenes in "Raging Bull" were among the best I've ever seen.

 

Take care.

 

Deborah

[bhryun]

DEBORAHWAKID11,

 

I completely agree with you regarding this year's Oscar broadcast. I have watched the Oscar presentation every single year since I was a child. Some broadcasts were definately better than others. But until this year, I was never sorry that I had taken the time to watch. This year was the exception. I understand that because the awards were so predictable, the show couldn't help but be a little boring. However, this was not the reason for my disappointment. I felt that the proceedings were completely hollow. All glitz and no substance, no glamor, dignity, or respect. It was just pififul.

The only thing I can say is that if Chris Rock is picked to host the proceedings next year, I won't bother to turn it on. I can just look at the next day's newspaper to see who won. But honestly, I don't think I'll even care.

 

[deborahwakid11]

Hello, Panellacjuno:

 

Your sentiments echo my own. I have also watched these broadcasts since I was a child. After this one was over (and I did not really watch last hour except to come in for acceptance speech), I felt like I needed to cleanse myself from its effects. I was so disgusted and ashamed. It made me sick.

 

As you said, veneer with no substance. There was no respect or dignity. There have been a lot of years when there were no surprises, but what matters is the quality of the show. It was unfunny, cruel, and boring.

 

Dittoing your comments, I can find out who wins in the paper. However, I really don't care who wins anymore. As for the host (and there have been some bad ones), he was the worst one ever. If he hosts, I definitely will avoid it next year).

 

Incidentally, the Tuesday before the Oscars, there was this article on front page of "Chicago Tribune" talking about Oscars. The highest ratings for the Oscar were in 1960, when "Ben Hur" won Best Picture (84.2%). The lowest (until Sunday's award show) was 2003, when ratings were 40%. These statistics really tell a tale.

 

The ratings this year were two million down from last year. With shows like the one they put on yesterday, they will continue to go down. As you said, the lack of respect was appalling.

 

Take care.

 

Deborah

[bhryun]

Unfortunately, the producers are not concerned with the ratings numbers per se. Although viewership was slightly down, this broadcast was considered a big success by industry watchers. WHY? Because its all about the DEMOGRAPHICS. Commercial advertisers are not interested

in attracting female viewers of any age. Nor are they interested in attracting the "older viewer", whether male or female. It's been well known for quite some time that producers and advertisers are seeking to increase viewership among the "younger adult male" audience members. So in this respect, they accomplished their goal very successfully. Viewership was markedly up in this coveted group of consumers. This is also why "reality TV" is so popular, and these shows just keep showing up all over the broadcast schedule. So don't be surprised if Chris Rock is back next year. Unfortunately, he accomplished everything he was supposed to do.

I'm a realist and understand that this change will probably be permanent. By this, I mean that even if Chris Rock isn't the host next year, it won't matter because it will be someone else who is just as abrasive as he is. Controversy and cruelty is what our culture has come to admire, and there will be no going back to a kinder, gentler time.

 

I sincerely hope that I'm mistaken in this, but truthfully I can only forsee the television landscape going from bad to worse. This is why I treasure TCM so much. I just pray they never change.

[deborahwakid11]

Hello, again, Panellacjuno

 

Unfortunately, I think you are sadly right about all this. Cruelty and controversy is what pop culture thrives on, although to actually call it culture (at least form perspective) is stretching it.

 

I also agree with you the kinder, gentler tone is at an end. I am also a realist. There is no respect or honor among this current breed of stars, for the most part. There are exceptions, but they are few and far between. Then to have to listen to these celebrities saying we are stupid if we do not agree with them, when most of them are lucky to have finished high school.

 

As you pointed out, they are not interested in having either female viewers or older viewers (either male or female). That being the case, since I'm not in the demographic groups advertisers want to sell to, why should I bother watching next year. I think you're right in assuming will have more in the style of this year's host, whether he returns or not.

 

I doubt I will return. As you said, at least we have TCM. I also like Fox Movie Channel, but they do not show their old movies as often. Still, it's better than nothing.

 

Take care.

 

Deborah