Ours Go to 11: Volume 28, People I Would Have Relished Seeing on the Oscars

I watched the Oscars last night, all nearly 5 hours of the telecast.

Although I had seen all the Best Picture nominees and was actively curious about what film would win that category, as well as which actors & directors would be honored with trophies, I found myself largely bored.

I appreciate the show attempting to be inclusive, and respectful, towards woman and non-white, non-American talents in the film industry, who still represent too small a minority.

But I felt the telecast--and much of Jimmy Kimmel's comedy--was far too tepid.

Given the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, it would seem a female host could've been more appropriate--perhaps Tiffany Haddish or Sarah Silverman--and probably more inspired.

As it was, on a show celebrating 90 years of the Academy Awards, my favorite moments were when classic stars and moviemakers were commemorated. Not so much in the compilation clips, but actually onstage.

Occasionally, in the cases of James Ivory (for best adapted screenplay) and Roger Deakins (for cinematography) it was great to see old pros win Oscars. But I also relished seeing Eva Marie Saint, Rita Moreno, Jane Fonda and--in a reprise from last year--Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway.

I would have liked more of this honoring of Hollywood's past (and the international film community), as other than the awards themselves--and those often seem flawed--I like the Oscars best as a celebration of film. (I don't care so much about the fashions, and the political statements--while on target--can become a bit much.)

I'm not saying all 11 of these people should have been included in this year's Academy Awards telecast on ABC, and I truly don't know if any or all would be healthy enough to present an award or participate in some kind of special number. But in the spirit of celebrating film greats who are still among us, I would have relished seeing: 

1. Sidney Poitier 
2. Gene Hackman 
3. Francis Ford Coppola 
4. Sophia Loren 
5. Robert Redford 
6. Robert De Niro 
7. Al Pacino 
8. Sally Field 
9. Katherine Bigelow (narrating a featurette on female directors)
10. Julie Andrews 
11. George Lucas