Well, Golden Boy has now come and gone, (except for this after-party drivel now droning on across the room...), and I have some thoughts. Which is amazing considering how stultifying the show itself was. With a few exceptions, which I'll focus on, because I'm just too bored to work up the energy to rant. Or maybe it's just that the show was so mediocre there's little to rant or even rave about. And that's too bad, because it started with so much promise and such high expectations.

   The opening clips were hilarious, and silly hopeful me, I thought the tone they set would hold up. Billy Crystal and Chris Rock in the tent knocked me down laughing. Jon Stewart's monolog was actually smart and funny. The "return to glamour" crack was quintessential Stewart, and worked perfectly. George Clooney's win thrilled me. And while I thought Paul Giammatti was going to win, I'm still glad. And Clooney is really proving himself to be the classiest guy in the business now. His acceptance speech was genuine and smart. And the "glad to be out of touch" comment was brilliant, and true. And will give Bill O'Reilly fuel for weeks, which is the highest compliment George could've wished for.

   Ben Stiller rocked, then put the hood on, and rocked harder. And Jon's "guess now we know for sure he's Jewish" comment, capped it off perfectly. Then the slide began. When, after 15 minutes of dull thuds the Wilson Brothers came out, for a brief second hope returned. But again, silly hopeful me. The real snowball-roll, though, began with the "biopic montage". ZZZzzzzzzzzz......oh, sorry. Will Farell and Steve Carell gave their all to a lame make-up joke and might've salvaged things but then, Lauren Bacall. Painful. A few more slightly less painful award moments, then Sam Jackson (sans hat - amazing in itself!) introed a smart, timely Tolerance piece. But Sid Gannon, in pure Jack Valente style, drove the next-to-last nail. It was nearly buried when Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep gave very funny, albeit brief, respite and brought out the force of nature that is Robert Altman. But as he walked off the show walked off with him. And not even a bunch of pimps could save it.

   I agreed with many of the final, major awards, and was elated that the best among them went to "Crash", my favorite movie of '05. Paul Haggis is a brillant director, and evidently a keen observer, too, as shown in his speech. And then...(I know I'll take a lot of heat for this), Reese, next time (?), try to NOT look like you must have while rehearsing those countless times in front of your mirror. Overpracticed spontaneity shows, girl.

   But for me, the real highlight of the evening was the "M & M Red Carpet Tips" commercial that ran near the end. Sad commentary...


Next up: Jumping The Shark. Oh, Fonzie, what'd you do.....?