The run-up to this year’s Oscars has been smoother than in recent years: no major turmoil to report other than the “snub” for Barbie – 2023’s biggest hit arrives with eight nominations, but Greta Gerwig was passed over entirely in the directing category. Well, this is a democracy, and the votes don’t just go with money. (No one is getting in a huff about The Super Mario Bros Movie, last year’s number two, not coming to the big show.)
The Oscars are fully aware that the bigger the movies they reward, the better the audience figures are for the TV broadcast (their main money-spinner), so they plan to rinse Barbie for everything they can. They will be giving 65 Kens to frug alongside Ryan Gosling as he warbles I’m Just Ken (nominated for best song), while Billie Eilish (also nominated, a much more likely winner) will sing her hit song What Was I Made For?
