Thoughts on Music Themed Academy Awards

[all that jazz]

So far I'm loving Seth, and the numbers have all been spectacular, specially be our guest. What do you guys think?

[SporkGoddess]

Is it me, or did they lower Cosette's part in "One Day More"?

[all that jazz]

I honestly couldn't hear her over Eddie, but overall it was absolutely SPECTACULAR!!

[brian.klimowski]

Les Mis was all modulated down! But it was great. Jennifer Hudson was awesome, and the Chicago Cast was good!

[all that jazz]

Well next to Jennifer everything pales in comparison. I looove CZJ but I thought this wasn't her best performance of all that jazz. It was a bit too low.

[LYLS3637]

Maybe she shouldn't have lip synced then

[all that jazz]

Has it been revealed she was lip synching? I really thought she was singing live. It didn't sound at all like the soundtrack.

[ACL2006]

enoyed it as a whole. Zeta-Jones was clearly lip-synching, otherwise I enjoyed Chicago(but where were Renee, Richard & Queen Latifah??). Hudson killed it and the Les Miz number was well done despite the cameras not knowing where to actually focus on. I was hoping to see some u/s for Seyfried & Crowe. LOL!

[all that jazz]

I was kind of hoping for nowadays, but on the bright side they didn't butcher all that jazz.

Dear Lord!!! Barbra was absolute perfection!!!!!!

[broadwayfever]

The Academy Awards have officially become the Grammy's for Older people.

[all that jazz]

^ Well I'm 17 and so far I'm loving them, way more than the Grammys. If only we had more glamorous production numbers and legendary performers today.

[darreyl102]

Catherine was Lip-synching? I couldn’t tell but if this is true that’s horrible! Jennifer was awesome but seemed to have a little trouble either with breathing or something- don’t know, the notes just came off as a little sharp. Shirley Bassey was perfection and sounds and looks stunning at 76!!

[emma3386]

I love it! Let's do this every year. Though I suspect this will go over like "Smash" - I love it - and the ratings will probably say otherwise.

[all that jazz]

Musicals and classic entertainment are again climbing the popularity ladder. It wont be an easy or short path, but hopefully we will get there.

[misto625]

Did anyone recognize the ensemble dancers? I think I saw Spencer Liff, Marty Lawson, Charlie Williams, Alex Wong, Colt Prattes, Samantha Zack, Sarah O'Gleby. Maybe some other How to Succeed alums there as well. I was trying to read credits but went so quickly.

[ggersten]

There's not question that Ms. Zeta-Jones was lip synching - it may not have been to the movie soundtrack, but it was pre-recorded - and if there was any question (given the lack of any microphone), Jennifer Hudson showed what live singing looked and sounded like.

That said, when Ms. Zeta Jones came out later with the Chicago cast, all was forgiven! she was as stunning as ever.

[emjullee]

I like it being a music theme awards show. Overall, it was good. It would have been perfect for me except that the introduction/opening act was dragging. It was a bit too long with the Captain Kirk portion. At some portions, I could sense some of the presenters being nervous. The 2009 Oscars theme "The Musical is Back" is still better in terms of directing and execution, from the opening number and onwards. But this year's performers AND presenters are tops - its star-studded!

[PlayItAgain]

Sorry but Barbra was terrible.

[Thespinoy]

The theme was music yet the orchestra was playing a mile away at the Capitol Records building. Really?!

[all that jazz]

I think my favorite moment from the show was the closing number, Cheno was just perfection as always.

PlayItAgain, I know it's all a matter of taste, but how on earth could Barbra Streisand be terrible??

[GavestonPS]

^^^^When Streisand sings nowadays, I have to keep reminding myself that she is a legend and it's a gift that she still sings at all. But the voice is pretty much shot in its upper range, so she finesses the high notes by singing them very softly as if it were a phrasing choice.

And she's a master at doing so. But it ain't the Streisand of 10 years ago, much less 45.

[all that jazz]

She certainly can't hit the notes she used to 30 years ago, but like you said she's still a legend and in my opinion she can still outshine any of today's pop stars.

[broadwayjim42]

I thought the combination of Hamlisch and Steisand was the emotional highlight of the evening. Vocally? No, Hudson ruled that, but I teared up.

[JoeKv99]

That show was awful in every way. I still don't understand why the theme was "musicals." And I can sort of understand a huge Les Mis number (even though it seems terribly unfair to the other nominees) but why the Chicago and Dreamgirls songs?

And if you think Shirley Bassey sounded good you must have had teh sound off.

[CarlosAlberto]

but why the Chicago and Dreamgirls songs?

Umm..because they were from Oscar winning musical films and it was a tribute to musical films? Just sayin'...

[JoeKv99]

Yeah but why those two? Why not a montage of ALL the Oscar winning musicals? Or at least a mention of the fact that these three musicals aren't the only ones ever made.

Hmmm I got an idea.