What a wonderful and worthwhile read. There’s nothing better than sensing effort and emotion, and hard work that goes in a truly engaging read. I was 14 years old that night, and lucky enough to be watching the broadcast with my father. Carson’s Iranian hostage joke made him howl, but otherwise, as he did every year back then, he picked apart the technical director’s every move, describing what was going on in the booth and the sloppy timing of the station identification “bumpers” coming in and out of commercials. His complaints were endless, but funny and educational. He would call out the names of those he knew; coworkers who had taken the gig. He’s an old television warhorse, you see, and I watch the broadcasts today with those memories in mind.  Thank you for reminding me of how lucky I was to be raised when things had a little bit of delayed gratification to them, as well as palpable gratitude. From the manner in which the actors and nominees conducted themselves, to their clothing and to the unexpected subtlety of the production itself, it was nice to take a brief trip back to when the worst thing said about an actor was his or her ho-hum drug spree. Your Richard Dreyfuss digression was presented deftly, responsibly, and with absolute class. You made me nostalgic for the early days of the Internet too, for THIS was the quality of contribution I imagined I’d always find.

Okay, seriously – shut up with you’re manufactured outrage. It’s a lousy excuse for your hourly hissy-fit.  L.A. IS A COMPANY TOWN! Movies are an industry. The article was about money, a reality for job seekers with film production skills in Southern California. L.A. needs blockbusters.  Hollywood is no different that a coal mine: everyone heads down into the hole once the whistle blows. N.F.’s readers aren’t in Paw Paw, Michigan and she’s not writing for small town America.  Her title was appropriate for her industry audience, (which, by the way, consists largely cynical media tycoons who have ashtrays for souls. It’s THIER attention N.F. hooks, not Midas Muffler Shop owners in Kentucky or Connecticut.  Get real, (but don’t move out here, please).

CABLE PROVIDER BASTARDS! Follow the money! Who’s that kid workin’ for!?

And you assholes wanted Ryan Dunn to go on living. Ha!

As a public figure he left himself and his actions open to the interpretations of others – millions of others: famous others, fringe others, and others in the news. You. Everybody. So while few are surprised that Dunn’s toxicology report confirms he was driving while
shit-faced, we should also take it as a given that celebrity man-children, like Bam, will throw their tantrums over comments made about Dunn’s accountability (or lack thereof). Of course, it will still be little more than another boring tantrum thrown by a pampered crybaby, which happens every 14 seconds. Nothing said will change the single unfortunate and highly idiotic thing that will forever mar Ryan Dunn’s memory. Considering how young he was, the financial security he enjoyed, the number of people he influenced, and all of Dunn’s potential for future good works or giving back to the community or just lending his celebrity status to the good works of others…all of it is wasted. Wasted on a drunken joyride that no famous friend’s support or derision for commentators can reverse. Ryan Dunn will now be known for waste. That’s it. And nothing anyone says or screams or writes will ever change that.

Teach this IN school!? Ha! You’re a riot!. This IS school. The American education system’s general communication levels and teaching methods have been reduced to exactly this level of idiot-drawings, so whad’ya mean “they” should teach this in schools? Such a lazy expectancy of how well the system should perform is partly why our schools are in such bad shape. American are so incapable of creating and maintaining relationships with delayed gratification - that privileged people like you promote “painty-hour” as curriculum. You should be ashamed.

Empowerment through populism, huh? We’re supposed to cheer along for Bread and circuses? Adventures in the later Roman Empire? Really?   “… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses” (Juvenal, Satire 10.77–81)