Breaking my own rules here because what I am about to say cannot be said to be “an injection of encouragement vitamins”! I don’t remember who wrote that assessment of my daily blog and often wonder if it is really all the truth. But when something matters to me I cannot hold it so letting it go here and now.
I have watched the Oscars since the first time it was ever telecast and my favorite hosts were Bob Hope and my TV crush Johnny Carson. I loved their easy humor and they each had their own inimitable style, I hated to see their era end. Then I liked Billy Crystal a lot, he didn’t replace my faves but he was funny. The year that Ann Hathaway and James Franco hosted it, I was actually looking forward to as I am a great fan of hers and he is easy on the eyes but I thought it was a terrible dud, except for the great production number with Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and ensemble. OK I’m getting there… When it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres was hosting this year, I won’t lie to you, I was disappointed because although she can be funny, somehow it felt like the glamour was missing.
I got all my chores done and sat down to watch the stars arriving on the Red Carpet in all those beautiful clothes. I admit I looked down at my un-made-up self, wearing one of my dad’s white, V-neck T-shirts and laughed at how funny it would be if they could see me watching them! As I watched people passing by the camera I caught the sight of someone who looked familiar… but not… who was it? Then I got a good look at the gorgeous eyes of a favorite singer of mine, Liza Minnelli. I wished I hadn’t seen her because in my mind she should still look like she did when I bought a ticket to go to her show at the Fox here in Atlanta, wow that girl put on one fabulous show. Time, alcohol and drugs have taken a toll on her beautiful face and I felt sad.
Inside the theater the crowd took their seats and got quiet in anticipation of the show starting then Ellen came out and was warmly received, of course I wasn’t impressed with her tux but if that is her taste then it was fine. She began by talking about the weather, which we all know has been very terrible for them lately, and makes some funny remarks, and then she did something that to me was reprehensible! I didn’t mention that Liza was there with her brother Joe and sister Lorna to honor the 75th Anniversary of the debut of the Wizard of Oz. Ellen looked down at Liza sitting there in her royal blue top smiling, looking warm and friendly, and addressed her as “Mister” saying “I have to say I have never seen a better female impersonation of Liza Minnelli, thank you Mister.” At home on my couch in my T-shirt with no make-up and braless I wanted to go through the floor I was so embarrassed for Liza, vulnerable and like a sitting duck exposed for Ellen to shoot down! I felt that her performance for the night was over at that point. Nothing else was funny or clever to me I just suffered her while waiting for the next beautiful gown and handsome escort to walk out on that stage.
I, for one, hope they never have her back on the Oscar stage again I might be tempted to give up my life-long routine of watching it if they do.
I know that comedians take liberties and famous people can’t be “thin-skinned” but somehow I felt she treated Liza the way a bully on the playground treats a timid kid who just trying to fit in and I felt very sorry that she had.
Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Harolene.com 
Rightly so… !!! Let your voce be heard .
LikeLike
Hey Harolene…….I can truly see how that Liza comment struck you the wrong way. I personally believe Ellen wouldn’t have said that if she thought it might hurt Liza in any way. Ellen is one of the most thoughtful persons I know of in the celebrity world. {She also doesn’t resort to foul language when doing her stand up comedy on stage.}.
Liza was also part of the crude humor cast of the show ARRESTED DEVELOPEMENT years ago, so I know she has a great, open sense of humor.
I also remember what class and style Carson and Hope had when hosting the show….I miss that too. Even though ordering pizza and taking selfies can be cute, it did seek to me to make the show tacky……I feel she was much better than Seth McFarlane last year and folks like Franco or Chris Rock from other years……Maybe Billy Crystal can host again…or how about Bette Midler?…….Anyway….have a great week and keep gazing somewhere over the rainbow……..—Love, Dave.
LikeLike
Thank you David. I have always appreciated her humor too and Bette Midler had me on the floor with her rendition of Wind… Especially right after the memorials. Simply beautiful. I thought Pink did a good job on Over the Rainbow too! Somehow and go figure why, I identified with Liza and it hit me personally. I never saw the show to which you are referring but wish now that I had? 😄 love you!❤️
LikeLike
At the top of this page you wrote “It’s my opinion” & I can appreciate that & accept it. But to use you own words It’s my opinion what there are many in the so called world of stardom that I find I would not walk across the street to even look at let alone shake their hand. Growing up here in the Tucson area I have seen, met & talked with many different so called stars. The ones older than I am (which unfortunately are almost all dead & gone by now) were men & women to look up to for the most part. A number of them had homes here in the area & were available to be with almost daily. Yes there was some hanky-pankey going on behind the curtains but most were good citizens. That generation I had a lot of respect for but this new one from about `1980 till now forget it. I have yet to see or hear one of these new ones worth a million dollars a show. They think they are cute being foul mouth disgusting. You are right people like Hope, Carson, Skeleton., Wayne & others like them were great examples to follow after. Todays crop- I refuse to waste my money & time on in any way. All these award shows are just so many dog & pony shows as far as I am concerned. Don’t mean to sound mean, cruel, or disgusted but it is just me. I hate the world of phooeyness. Too many young people are suckered into only to lose their self respect & even their own life. When the movie “Pretty Woman” came out are you aware we had a national disaster in the number of young & middle age women that committed suicide over it? They realized they could never have a life like that so they with a broken heart they stuffed their own life out. Tragedy! I was involved doing Christian counseling at the time & the truth of it & the size of it broke my heart. My Mother ran the emergency room & later a large doctor complex for a number of year. You would not believe the number of women who came in daily suffering from the same disease as their favorite soap-opera hero was having. Strictly in their head. The Bible tells to be careful what we allow into our mind for it can destroy us. Don’t mean to sound so strongly against this but I am & I can’t help it. My first wife (Mother of my kids) destroyed her mind & life watching soap-operas everyday & then trying to live like they did. She died last year still a mess from all the time she wasted. I pray for people who are involved as it is the enemy trying to destroy them from inside. God bless you. If I have offended you please accept my apology as it was not nor ever will be my intent to do so in any way.
LikeLike
If the truth offends then so be it however I am not offended!😄
LikeLike
Of all the comments Ellen made , that line about Liza did not land with me either. I am not even a follower or fan of Liza. Not because of any particular reason, just never followed her. IMO humor like that can be perceived as hurtful. And many times we know perception can be more important than reality. In fact , I’m sure that if the tables were turned and those comments were directed at Ellen, she would be affected too. Who wouldn’t be! Not to mention there are only 40 plus million people watching that telecast. To Liza’s credit when interviewed she handled herself well and only praised the host. And since this has created quite a stir, I have a feeling Ellen will most likely re-think that type of rhetoric in the future….
LikeLike