Bruce Almighty

Bruce Vilanch raises expectations, sort of:

This year for best supporting actor you have Robert Downey Jr. in blackface and then you have Heath Ledger. So how do write something like that?

Actually, this year we’re going to do supporting actor differently and I’m not allowed to tell you how. It’s one of those state secrets that I’ve been sworn not to reveal. And since the New York Times described me as tight-lipped and I got a lot of dates after that, I’ve decided I have to remain that way. Otherwise they’ll beat me around the head with an Oscar and I’ll get loose-lipped. But it’s an unusual year in that category.

In what other ways will the show be different?

There are two new producers and they have a whole bunch of new ideas. The show this year is going to have narrative, which will be interesting, it will tell a story. It’s going to be different — but of course it’s going to be the same. Twenty-four awards are going to be given out and there will be no stopping the parade of sound editors coming up to accept. That kind of stuff, which I personally cherish.

Reflections on a “crotchety” Academy and fart joke nostalgia at Salon.