"Benedict Cumberbatchit's not only the most awesome name in show business, it's also the sound you get when you ask John Travolta to announce Ben Affleck."Neil Patrick Harris' callback to last year's Oscars, and part of his introduction of Idina Menzel and John Travolta.
How can I start this column without talking about Lady Gaga. Even I, who knew she was classically trained, was taken aback by her singing of the medley from The Sound of Music. If you thought you were knocked out of your seat at home, you can only imagine what it was like in the Dolby Theatre. And once Julie Andrews came out, the theater actually shook with excitement.
Until that point, it was a rather pedestrian production. Sure, Harris was a charming and affable host, but also somewhat unmemorablesave for re-enacting the underwear walk from Birdman ( albeit in stuffed undies ). His opening song was fun, but Jack Black ultimately upstaged him. The show kicked off with Lupita Nyong'o thinking she was still at the SAG Awards. Clint Eastwood and Robert Duvall looked like they were posing for their "In Memoriam" photo. Speaking of which, I thought Jennifer Hudson did a great job on "I Can't Let Go." I was puzzled by the inclusion of Maya Angelou as an "actress," but I guess Madea's Family Reunion and Elmo Saves Christmas count. And by those standards, where was Joan Rivers?
Best speech of the nightGraham Moore, who wrote The Imitation Game. He started with a laugh by thanking Oprah, who presented the award. He then brought it home by comparing his struggles and suicide attempt at 16 with the struggles and suicide of Alan Turing, the subject of the film. He spoke directly to everyone out there who is weird, different, and doesn't fit in. "Stay weird, stay different, and then when it's your turn and you are standing on this stage, please pass the same message to the next person who comes along." Bravo. By the way, contrary to what you may think, Graham Moore is not gay. Double bravo!
As to fashion, I liked NPH's first tux ( except for the lapels ), loved the second one, thought the third one was ill-fitting and liked the fourth, but thought it was a bit too casual ( and I hated the flower ). As to the ladies, how can I not mention Jennifer Lopez's dressor was it a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade? Let's put it this wayshe and Oprah looked like twins.
How fortuitous that on the eve of new Oscar winners being announced, a former recipient went public with her complaints. Mo'Nique gave an interview to The Hollywood Reporter claiming that winning the 2010 Best Supporting Actress Oscar wasn't all it was cracked up to be: "It should come with more respect, more choices, and more money. It should and it normally does. I thought, once you won the award, that's the top prizeand so you're supposed to be treated as if you got the top prize." Let us not forgetone role ( even an Oscar-winning one ) does not a career make. And, if we know anything about Hollywood, it gives you what it wantsnot what you think you deserve. According to sources, Mo'Nique was less than pleasant to work with and uninterested in campaigning for the Oscar. ( A win would mean more money for the studio. ) A few months ago, Lee Daniels called her to say, "Mo'Nique, you've been blackballed."
It's not every Valentine's Day one gets to spend with Cheyenne Jackson, but I was lucky to escape Boston and be in Fort Lauderdale when he appeared in concert with Seth Rudetsky at the Parker Playhouse. Over the years, I've seen Cheyenne many timesin Aida, All Shook Up, and Xanadu on Broadway; Altar Boyz off-Broadway; and It's a Bird....It's a Plane....It's Superman in Los Angeles. Each time, I left frustrated. Obviously he's gorgeous. He has a marvelous singing voice. One can't quibble about his acting ability. But, inexplicably, the sum didn't equal the parts; he never seemed to have "it."
But lately, my opinion of him has changed. He gave a wonderfully nuanced performance in the film The Green. He showed his comedic chops on 30 Rock. And, most importantly, he really connected with audiences in concert. I noticed this last summer during his run at the Provincetown Art House. Perhaps it was that he was being himself rather than playing a character. Or perhaps he's simply grown as an artist over the past decade. But the difference is extraordinary. In the past, we've run into each other socially but, given my criticism ( to say nothing of my endlessly directing people to BillyMasters.com to see his infamous jerk-off video ), I suspect I'm not his favorite person. But never let it be said that Billy Masters doesn't have balls of steelperhaps all the firmer due to the wearisome winter in Boston. After last week's concert, I found myself being ushered over to Cheyenne and Seth for a photo-op. Seth greeted me with a kiss, I complimented Cheyenne, shook his hand and we posed for the photowith Jackson looking at me quizzically. Another bullet dodged.
By the way, Cheyenne has a new single out. "Find The Best of Me" is available on iTunes and the proceeds will be donated to the American Foundation for AIDS Research. He better be careful or I'm gonna turn into a fan!
Lastly, did you see Miss Cicely Tyson on How To Get Away With Murder? Why don't they just give her the Emmy now, because you ain't gonna see anything top that all year. And the writing? Wow! In case you missed it, I'll share every second of her performance on BillyMasters.com . It was truly something to behold.
When I'm predicting the Emmys while reporting from the Oscars, it's time to end yet another column. I do have one last observation about the Oscars ... or, rather, ABC's pre-show: Whose bright idea was it to get Michael Strahan to say the name Reese Witherspoon? The only worse thing would have been Sissy Spacek. You can find more insights on www.BillyMasters.comthe site that never pulls a punch. While I didn't have space to squeeze in a question, I am always available whenever you need me. Just dash off a note to Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before I am able to work Sissy Spacek's name into another column. So, until next time, remember one man's filth is another man's bible.