You're Wrong About

The Worst Oscars Ever?? with Michael Schulman

Feb 27, 2025

Michael Schulman, author of 'Oscar Wars' and a staff writer at The New Yorker, dives into the chaotic and flamboyant history of the 1989 Oscars, often dubbed the worst ever. He discusses the eccentric production by Allan Carr, highlighting its bizarre opening featuring Snow White and Rob Lowe. Schulman reflects on the excesses of Hollywood at the time and critiques the industry's treatment of performers, especially women. He makes a case for why these notorious awards show moments are charmingly misunderstood and deserving of a second look.

01:20:12

Episode guests

Michael Schulman

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Quick takeaways

The 1989 Academy Awards, deemed a disaster, featured an awkward opening number that alienated both audience and participants alike.

Producer Alan Carr's ambitious attempts to modernize the Oscars by introducing 'baton theory' revealed a significant disconnect with traditional expectations.

The fallout from the Oscars led to Carr's ostracization from Hollywood, showcasing the dangers of unchecked ambition and artistic hubris.

Deep dives

The Notorious 1989 Oscars

The conversation centers on the 1989 Academy Awards, often labeled as the worst Oscars ever. The notorious opening number, featuring Snow White and Rob Lowe, is highlighted as an example of excess and folly, running for over 11 minutes. Actors in attendance appeared visibly uncomfortable as the performance included various awkward interactions and surreal elements that defied the usual standards of the ceremony. The producers aimed for innovation but ended up with a chaotic showcase that many deemed humiliating and cringeworthy.

Intro

2min

The Infamous 1989 Oscars

4min

Whimsical Chaos: The 1989 Oscars Opening

5min

The Bizarre and Chaotic Oscars Performance

2min

Hollywood's Flamboyant Host: The Life of Alan Carr

10min

The Glamorous Evolution of the Oscars

18min

Behind the Curtain of Hollywood

12min

Oscars: Chaos and Controversies

16min

The Oscars: Triumphs and Tragedies

12min

10.

Celebrating Community and Shared Joys

2min

What do Lily Tomlin, Snow White, and Kenny Ortega have in common? They were all part of the 61st Academy Awards, a broadcast now remembered as the worst of all time, and masterminded by Allan Carr (lover of spectacle and producer of Grease). But awards season correspondent and New Yorker staff writer Michael Schulman is here to argue that the tackiest, most disastrous Oscars of all time might just be... unfairly maligned.

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Michael's book Oscar Wars

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/oscar-wars-michael-schulman?variant=41063519387682

Michael's New Yorker page

https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/michael-schulman

the video of the opening number

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mronRVvdmw

the video of Pee-wee and RoboCop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETFHeMSIMGc&t=63s

And the book Michael mentioned about Allan Carr, Party Animals, is here

https://www.dacapopress.com/titles/robert-hofler/party-animals/9780306818943/

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https://www.harpercollins.com/products/oscar-wars-michael-schulman?variant=41063519387682
https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/michael-schulman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mronRVvdmw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETFHeMSIMGc&t=63s
https://www.dacapopress.com/titles/robert-hofler/party-animals/9780306818943/
http://patreon.com/yourewrongabout
https://www.teepublic.com/stores/youre-wrong-about
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