Spike, Jada, And A Little Gold-Plated Statuette Named Oscar

In all honesty, I am really, really trying to work on two posts. One post will be on my new healthy diet and the other on travel. But the news media threw me a bone and I felt compelled to give my two cents and my opinionated opinion. In other words– vidi-vidi-venting!

I’m sure you all know by now that both Spike Lee and Jada “Mrs. Will Smith”  Pinkett have been extremely vocal about their boycott of the 2016 Oscar awards.  I guess Jada wears the pants in that family because I haven’t heard or seen anything from her husband Will.  Will wasn’t nominated for an Oscar this year. I guess Jada is just pissed off that he failed to receive a nomination.

Spike

I swear to goddess–Spike is SUCH a New Yorker–he isn’t happy unless he is bitching about something! I KNOW this. I AM an ex-New Yorker. I love to bitch too Spike!

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith attend the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "Focus" at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 24, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 24: Actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith attend the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Focus” at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 24, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Looks like poor ol’ Will is whipped. Jada speaks for him–I guess she wears the pants. Poor Will–you’re still so adorable!

Guess what Jada?  Every year there are a great many actors and actresses who are snubbed by Oscar. They are young. They are old. They are white. They are black. They are Asian. They are Indian. They are Hispanic. They are biracial. They are Athiests.  They are Lesbian. They are Homosexual. They are Catholic. They are Jewish. They are Muslim.  As heartbreaking as this is, I’ll even bet some are Liberals!  This shit happens!

Guess what Spike?  Every year there are really, really wonderful films that are made by directors and writers who are white, black, Hispanic, French, Swedish, Jews, Atheists, Homosexual, Catholic, Muslim and the list goes on. This shit happens!

Bride and Prejudice

And another thing. Why are “Bollywood” films snubbed and excluded from the Academy Awards.  “Bride and Prejudice” was one of the greatest films ever made. I NEVER miss a viewing when it’s on TV!  It’s fun, it’s colorful (and that’s no pun!)..it’s happy!

Should we all boycott Larry David because his “Jewishness” played such an important role in “Curb Your Enthusiasm”?   Do you think he snubs anyone who isn’t Jewish?  He wrote about what he does and knows best about—being a Jewish comedy writer.  And a genius one at that!

Larry finds out his lawyer isn’t Jewish–but the end result is one of the funniest conclusions to this Curb episode!  Who cares if Larry doesn’t trust anyone who isn’t Jewish? It’s part of his charm!

I’m not done yet either.  Jada.  Think back to 1987 through 1993. Do you remember the show you were on “A Different World”?  Think back to 1990 when your husband’s show “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” was on TV.  Well, I do.  I remember both shows.  I used to watch those shows with my kids.  They were young back then and when we watched those shows, we didn’t see them as “black” TV shows. We saw them as great family programming.

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A Different World was a great family show–and focused on the trials and tribulations ALL young college students face.  

Fresh Prince of Bel Air

My kids, as well as I, STILL love this show!  Will Smith hasn’t aged a day. I’m wondering what his skin care regime is–Oops. I’ll have to ask Jada because she is the voice of Will!

I hope you realize this. I hope you also realize that so many families and children who watched and loved those shows were an incredibly diverse group of people.  The days after “Fresh Prince” aired, you could see a bunch of white, black, Hispanic, Asian kids in their school yards rapping:

Now, this is a story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
And I’d like to take a minute
Just sit right there
I’ll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air

What the hell is more important to you?  A little statue or the fact that two shows you and your husband were on had such a positive influence on kids and families of all ethnic groups? Really.  A month after the Oscars are aired, nobody will remember who won. We will remember who looked like shit and who looked fabulous though!

The Oscar statuette is the copyrighted property of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the statuette and the phrases "Academy Award(s)" and "Oscar(s)" are registered trademarks under the laws of the United States and other countries. All published representations of the Award of Merit statuette, including photographs, drawings and other likenesses, must include the legend ©A.M.P.A.S.¨ to provide notice of copyright, trademark and service mark registration. Permission is hereby granted for use of the representation of the statuette in newspapers, periodicals and on television only in legitimate news articles or feature stories which refer to the annual Academy Awards as an event, or in stories or articles which refer to the Academy as an organization or to specific achievements for which the Academy Award has been given. Its use and any other use is subject to the "Legal Regulations for Using Intellectual Properties of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences" published by the Academy. A copy of the "Legal Regulations" may be obtained from: Legal Rights Coordinator, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 8949 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90211; (310) 247-3000; or ©A.M.P.A.S.http://www.oscars.org/legal/preamble.html.

Seriously–nobody will even remember who wins–it’s all about the clothes, makeup and hair!

And Spike—you’ve done well with your films.  You’ve been nominated for and won a number of awards.  You should be proud and happy about what you’ve accomplished instead of boycotting an event when you aren’t nominated.

dotherightthinggallerymain

Do The Right Thing Spike. Don’t be bitter. Use positivity. Not negativity!

If you both were truly and deeply concerned about diversity, you would be on a platform for actors—especially Actresses over the age of 60.  You would be wondering just why there aren’t many OLDER Latino, Indian or Asian actors/actresses in vital roles. (Oh and Jada, you’re age is creeping upwards. You should be concerned about ageism my friend!)  Face it you two. You are NOT the only minority!  You would be scratching your heads thinking “Hmmm…isn’t “White Hollywood” funny—the only “old lady” choices are Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep—and sometimes Jane Fonda!”

Helen-Mirren-2_3086734c

Helen Mirren. THE hottest older woman ever! But she isn’t the only one!

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Meryl Streep..another great “mature” actress/actor!

I’m pissed that the great Lily Tomlin was overlooked for an Oscar for her performance in “Grandma”. But I guess the Oscar powers-that-be figured Charlotte Rampling was good enough for the token “old lady” nominee!

 

tomlin

Another great old broad. Lily Tomlin. She was snubbed..

Charlotte Rampling

I guess that’s because Hollywood can only have ONE older actress nominated!

And what about  “Trainwreck”?  Huh?  Where’s the love for sluts of all ages? In my eyes, Trainwreck was practically a documentary! And it was snubbed!

Trainwreck

This documentary movie about sluts was so snubbed..and sluts sleep with everybody. Sluts don’t care about ethnicity! They love size diversity!

If you both are truly and deeply concerned about the state of “Hollywood” lack of diversity, perhaps it is time for you to quit the business that has given you the salaries that most of us can only imagine and find a more meaningful line of employ.  Perhaps as an educator in a public school, or as an accountant.

Better yet, perhaps you can join the ranks of the hundreds of thousands of the melting-pot of Americans such as me who have no income and no medical insurance.  You definitely would be a part of an incredibly diverse group of people! You would fit right in with us.

Or—you can do as I do. Boycott in silence.  I boycott fashion magazines because they refuse to focus on older women in ads and in editorials. Now there’s a minority. Old Ladies!  We are black, white, Asian, Indian—and are all old and ignored by society. Wanna join my club?  I refuse to watch network TV shows due to their lack of older actresses and the ones who are older are usually portrayed in the worst of matronly and grouchy ways.

I could boycott life at my age—but I always prefer to see the glimmer of hope. That little ray that just may shine on people and make them realize that older people are important.

Boycott life

People may snub those my age, but we certainly won’t boycott life!

Perhaps you should do the same—look for that glimmer of light rather than focus on negativity.

Chris Rock was right. The Oscars are  “The White BET Awards” . He gets his message through with laughter.

rock2

Chris Rock, don’t you DARE step down as host of the Oscars! You can send a great message through laughter. Give it to us!

Laughter works. Thank you Chris..and I hope to laugh at your “White People” jokes on Oscar night!

I swear we were more progressive in the late 1960’s. Here’s a song (with the great Nell Carter) to prove it to you. From “Hair” “White Boys/Black Boys”

 

About Catherine

Far from perfect, but enjoying life as a non-perfect and flawed individual at 60 years young. I'm still wondering what I'll be when I grow up! The characters in my life's screenplay include my better half. He is a refined Frenchman who grew up in Paris and summered in St. Tropez. I grew up in Long Island and summered in Long Island. I am not refined. My three grown children are also a big part of my life. For their sake, they happily live where their careers have taken them! But I can still mother them from a distance! I write about the mundane. I write about deeply shallow issues. But whatever I write or muse about--it'll always be a bit on the humorous and positive side! It's all good!
This entry was posted in A Different World, Diversity in Film, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Hair, Jada Pinkett, Older actresses, Older Adults, Oscar Boycott, Uncategorized, Will Smith and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

20 Responses to Spike, Jada, And A Little Gold-Plated Statuette Named Oscar

  1. Denny says:

    Spot on Catherine. When we hear and read scenarios, as aforementioned, in many cases it rings with entitlement. You have just given them plenty to think about. Well done!!

  2. Tejaswi says:

    Well said, but I have two objections to this otherwise delightful piece. One, The Hottest Woman award will not go to Meryl Streep…. if I said Cath you’d think I am flattering you, so no – Susan Sarandon!!! How can you not love those drunken, reptilian eyelids, that impish smile etc etc etc. Ok, ok, I have got a thing for older women, I know. Still, no one ever like her. Oh, maybe a lot of others too. Never mind.
    Two, Bride and Prejudice is a great movie?? In which part of the galaxy?
    Really, Cath… that is appalling. Ok, by all means stand up for the Indians, but not in such misdirected ways. Come on… that was an appalling piece of film-making. But then, I guess you haven’t watched very many Indian movies apart from the execrable nonsense that is marketed as “Indian” or “Bollywood”… and never mind the artsy Satyajit Ray kinds either. There are lots of other mainstream/alternate examples of well-made Indian movies.

    • Catherine says:

      Hi Tej. No! I said that Mirren was the hottest. Streep is a great actress but I would not call her hot at all. Susan Sarandon–I wanna know how she kept that set of knockers so youthful!!!!! I’m sorry but I LOVE “Bride and Prejudice” I loved it more than Slumdog Millionaire..but remember. I’m deeply shallow. Seriously. I love Bollywood so much. I cannot wait to visit India–it’s on my bucket list and Bollywood offers me a glimpse of what I want to see! XOXOXOXOXOXOOO!!! Hugs!!!!

      • Tejaswi says:

        Ah, so sorry, Helen Mirren, not Streep. What was I thinking…
        Nah, not even Slumdog Millionaire.. execrable again…. 🙂
        Yup, you ought to come over, I live here 😀 And then your very own little Corsican General will sit and weep that he ever tried to conquer India hehehe.. Empress Josephine will stay here as my guest then, forever 😀 And ok, I will allow you to watch Bollywood movies all day long hahaha..
        Cath, you are always welcome here. Just don’t come here with any illusions – it may be a beautiful country, but it has a bad habit of disappointing its admirers and lovers.

  3. gk says:

    agree!

  4. BunKaryudo says:

    I’ve heard so many great actresses complaining that whereas the roles never seem to disappear for older male actors, they are few and far between for their female counterparts. I think they have a point.

    • Catherine says:

      Hi Bun–yeah, it’s true. I’ve YET to see a movie that doesn’t have an older man in love–and the woman is 99 percent of the time a shit load younger. What happened to age-equality. I’m so sick of the way older women are ignored!! XOXOXO!

      • BunKaryudo says:

        That is true. I remember one a few years back that had Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones as an item. I think there should be some kind of rule that the man is a least from the same geological epoch as the woman he is paired up with.

      • Catherine says:

        LOL. My hypocracy is is full swing on this. Bonaparte is 11 years older than I am. But that doesn’t count anymore because I, too, am now officially old! XOXOX!

      • BunKaryudo says:

        Eleven years isn’t so much, 39 years is pushing it. Of course loving relations with an age difference do happen in real life, and that’s fine. They seem to happen rather more often in Hollywood and virtually always in a way that means there’s no role in the movie for an older actress.

  5. Leslie Preston says:

    Can someone forward this post to Jada? Terrific, as usual. You crack me up………………………….and that’s the truth…..

    • Catherine says:

      Hi Leslie! Thanks for your input! I would LOVE for Jada to read this. Maybe I could let her see that she’s behaving like a spoiled child. But–that’s narcissistic Hollywood! XOXOXO!

  6. spearfruit says:

    So to the point and true and I totally agree! 🙂

  7. calensariel says:

    Well THAT was a hell of rant. I think you should have your own 10 minute show toward the end of the news every night. I don’t read any news on line, but I just might make an exception to read about this!

    • Catherine says:

      Take a read, this has caused quite the split among ethnicities–which is incredibly sad if you ask me. But then I’ll steer into another rant. LOL. If ONLY I could have my 10 minutes of newstime–it would be the only 10 minutes of honesty on the news! XOXOXOXO!!!

  8. LosiLosLoco says:

    Really, I’m not all that concerned with the boycott but they are free to do as they see fit. I agree with you in saying that we won’t remember who got nominated. We really won’t. We’ll just know that at some point they received an Oscar. Personally, I won’t remember who wore what. That’s not relevant to me.
    Everyone deserves some recognition but at the same time, you have to be content with knowing that you gave it your all and that’s the requirement for yourself. If you act and you know you did a good job and your best but no one else officially recognizes it, so what? Somewhere in the world, someone was touched by that performance and won’t forget it! Enough said. I’m done now.
    Thanks for sharing Catherine! 🙂

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