Oscar opinion

The TOMB discusses the highs and lows of the 2006 Academy Awards.

Mar  6 2006

The bookies got it wrong, the pundits got it wrong, and yes folks, I'm afraid to say The TOMB got it wrong, as 'Crash' beat 'Brokeback Mountain' in the best picture category at this year's Academy Awards.

It was without doubt the biggest Oscar upset in recent history, and livened up what had otherwise been a dull, predictable and lifeless award show.

Jon Stewart, hosting for the first time, was funny, but not nearly as outspoken or controversial as we'd hoped, while elsewhere, the acceptance speeches were uninspired and the outfits unremarkable.

And aside from the big one, there were no surprise winners, with pretty much every award going to the favourite.

The TOMB was at The Times and The Sunday Times Oscar Night Reception to watch approximately six hours of the coverage, and the following are our highlights, and lowlights, of the show.

What we liked:

Camp Isaac's red carpet questioning for 'E!' – car crash TV of the very highest order.

Wallace and Gromit walking away with a gong.

Ben Stiller's disembodied head shtick – funniest moment of the night.

A song about pimping winning an award.

Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep's inspired introduction for Robert Altman.

Dolly Parton confusing us all by appearing on-stage straight after the animated feature announcement.

Larry McMurty's jeans.

Russell Crowe's kiss curl.

Reese Witherspoon becoming increasingly high-pitched during her acceptance speech so that by the end, only dogs could hear what she was saying.

What we didn't like:

Mel Gibson's shameless 'Apocalypto' plug at the start.

Being reminded that Mr Miyagi died this year.

'Crash' winning best original screenplay.

The deeply unfunny 'Chicken Little' segment.

The modern dance interpretation of the song from 'Crash'.

The grating music that played beneath each and every acceptance speech.

'Crash' winning best original screenplay.

All those montages (although the gay cowboy one was pretty funny).

And finally, 'Crash' winning best picture.

All in all, it was a pretty forgettable year, and having stayed up all night watching the damn thing, I'm now off to bed!

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