The late gravel voiced comedian Jimmy Durante used to jokingly say, ‘everyone’s trying to get into the act, and I’m losing’ when a guest of his tried to steal his thunder. His remarks have an unmistakable echo in the 2011 Oscars. The producers of this yearly extravaganza which brings out ‘tout Hollywood’, have induced the mothers of the nominees to use Twitter to campaign for their son or daughter for the much coveted Oscar.
And the mother and grandmother of James Franco who is nominated in the category of Best Actor for his performance in ‘127 Hours’, have joined the hounds to boost the chances of the multi talented actor.
As we know, the Oscars are a ‘dog & pony show’, and the producers have hit on the novel idea of use Twitter, to hustle extra votes for the top candidates and more publicity for the films they back, in order to draw more people to the box office. Franco’s grandmother Mitzi is an ‘old broad’, fierce proud of James, whose salty remarks have drawn and attention by attacking any criticism of ‘127 Hours’. How many new votes will this dump in Franco’s hopper, as well as another dollar into the producers’ wallets, is open to speculation.
Nonetheless, the producers, like racetrack touts, have found a new angle to up the odds on this year’s 2011 candidates, and at the same time, in a divide and rule maneuver, set the candidates’ mothers and grandmothers at each others throat, as well as titillate the blabbing Twittersphere.
The Oscars are an exercise in self indulgence and high finance. So, anything to bring out the cat’s claws of envy and ring up another Greenback which will bring back the money the producers invested is always welcome!
