Almost as if they’d planned it that way, the Screen Actors Guild awards presentation was a rebuke to the Motion Picture Academy’s dour announcement that it was “heartbroken” about the nomination of all white actors and would do something “immediately” to rectify the situation. In the meantime, SAG Awards went to Idris Elba, Viola Davis, Queen Latifah, Uzo Aduba, and other black actors.
Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs has announced that the Academy has already voted on a plan intended to double the number of women and diverse members by 2020. Her long apology continued at a luncheon for nominees, where she announced the presence of an elephant in the room.
Academy president at nominees lunch: "This year we all know there's an elephant in the room. I have asked the elephant to leave."
— Ben Fritz (@benfritz) February 8, 2016
Motion Picture Academy Diversity Plan Step 1: Ask elephant to leave.
At #OscarsLunch, #Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said she asked the elephant in the room to leave. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/x9fOjxTNw0
— George Pennacchio (@abc7george) February 8, 2016
Did it? At least there wasn’t a mouse in the room. The real news of the afternoon?
The big news out of the Oscar Nominees Luncheon: acceptance speech thank yous will now be given in a scroll at the bottom of the screen!
— Scott Feinberg (@ScottFeinberg) February 8, 2016
The president had some good advice she might apply to herself.
"Today, simply take a breath and relax." —@TheAcademy prez Cheryl Boone Isaacs at #OscarsLunch pic.twitter.com/2AkfY2SdHM
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) February 8, 2016
Speaking of relaxing, it sounds like Congress will get to kick back Wednesday and enjoy a movie chock-full of white actors about the financial crisis of 2007–2008.
#AdamMcKay points out that he will be screening #TheBigShort in front of Congress on Wednesday. #Oscarsluncheon
— Bryan Alexander (@BryAlexand) February 8, 2016
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