Worst Oscar show ever

I always watch the Academy Awards, but this year, I was conflicted. It seemed, well, terrible. Hugh Jackman hosting. Slumdog Millionair the sure thing. What was the point really? The Oscars used to be the senior prom of movies. Now, it seems like the homecoming dance. No one really cares anymore.
With the SAG awards, the Golden Globes, the People Choice Awards. It justs seems like a little too much at once.
The problem started when they moved the awards from March to February a few years back, given voters absolutely no time to make a decision, so they do what Emmy Award voters have openly admitted to doing, voting based word of mouth. I don't think most of the people who voted for Slumdog Millionaire actually saw the movie.
There were little surprises for a show that was 3 and a half hours long. Well, Penelope Cruz won, proving that anyone reciting Woody Allen's mindless banter can win an award. Heath Ledger won, but really, did you honestly think he wouldn't? He deserves it, but I still wonder if he was alive today, would he have even been nominated. Kate Winselt won, finally. Sean Penn won again, knocking Mickey Rourke off that pedestal he has been on since December. Danny Boyle won Best Director. I like Boyle. I just think he should have been sharing the stage. Speaking of sharing the stage, why do we need the entire cast and crew to get up when a movie wins Best Picture. This has happened over and over again. It needs to stop.
Another thing that needs to stop is the questionable clapping that comes during the In Memoriam montage of people. I know they are applauding the memory of Paul Newman and Bernie Mac, but whatever happened to a moment of silence. And who thought it was a good idea to focus on Queen Latifah singing? Give these people a few moments of time and decency.
There were a few flubs. Will Smith's "And boom goes the dynamite," mess-up and Alan Arkin screwing up Phillip Seymour Hoffman's name. Well, let me, just say, if you can continue to get nominated while belching your lines, then who cares what they call you.
Let's go back to having one previous winner read off the list of nominees and showing their clips. Having actors more or less kiss the ass of the nominees got old after a while.
Speaking of old, where were they? Too many young people. This was like returning to your high school after 15 years and thinking, my God, who the hell is this. I want Jack Nicholson looking all cool in the front row not Mickey Rourke looking like he's at an AA meeting.
Hugh Jackman did an okay job, but I think they need to give Jon Stewart another chance.