Originally published on Facebook 14 January 2014.

Somebody posted some epic sneer about these Hollywood ego monsters who have nothing better to do than to give themselves awards on a weekly basis, this time of year.

I replied,

“If you want a real answer to that question, one that has more to do with data than any reason for scorn, it is this:

Award shows proliferate because award shows are easy ratings.

There’s a reason why networks like MTV and VH1 and so on establish their own movie award shows: because they see it as a source of commercial income.

The studios, by contrast, see them as a way to promote their films, and so the Oscars, what was once a small industry dinner reported in the trades, that eventually went to radio and then TV, became an overblown spectacle complete with pre-shows, after-shows, a large section of the audience that has not seen the movies but only wants to see the clothing, and so on.

If you want to get on the case of the stars for attending, note that in many cases, those who have a big movie out that year are contractually obligated to attend, and that a number who agree with you that there are far too many such occasions actually negotiate for those they can get out of (I.e., “I will do the Oscars, but only if you let me out of the Golden Globes.”)

The Golden Globes, in particular, are an example of awards really not worth very much in terms of respect (they’re really little more than the scam of a bunch of little-known critics who wanted to get their picture taken with celebrities), that became blown up well out of all proportion because somebody wanted the cash cow of a big show to compete with the Oscars. Nobody has anything good to say about them, really. Many of the famed have to attend, because it’s part of their promotion requirement.

That is, of course, among those who have been attending so many of these things that they would just as soon miss a few. I have heard a number of these folks sigh, in interviews, that they were glad award season was over, and I can absolutely understand the feeling. At a certain point it must become a pain in the ass. Not the least because the system demands that you go, and because you are then derided as an ego monster for going.

The other thing, to me an important thing. is that we’re so busy scorning the famous faces who attend these exercises in self-congratulation, that we don’t stop to question what they might mean to those who are not so celebrated. The part of the show you complain about, because they’re all the categories you don’t care about.

Here’s an intelligent question I wish you would answer.

In the specific case of a short documentary filmmaker or a film editor or a cinematographer or a writer of the musical score or costume designer even a new actor and actress being honored for a break-out role, is that person just as contemptible, for being thrilled at a nomination for a statuette, as you would argue that Meryl Streep or Jack Nicholson or Julia Roberts is? Would you say that of my friend the screenwriter whose single nomination a few years ago was the highlight of his career so far? Are you going to be the person to tell that person s/he’s an ego monster?

It might be just as silly. I agree with you that it probably is. But again, looking at it from some perspective other than that of a major movie stars, I fixate on an interview I saw with a woman who had spent two years of her life making a documentary short subject, who won, and who was still backstage shaking from her big moment at the podium when another winner from that night, Clint Eastwood, who she never would have dared approach, sat down opposite her, gave her a big smile, and said, “Hey, we did it, didn’t we?”

Gee, I really wanna attack THAT WOMAN for being a whorish ego monster who has nothing better to do than attend award ceremonies for her own edification. I really want to attack her for being shallow and egotistical and about nothing but her own image. I really want to tell her that this high point of her professional life is bullshit. Cuz I don’t like moments of validation, myself. I can do without them.”

Tags: Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, Movies | Category Movies