The Greatest Showman #1230 - Bold Tandem

In 2009, Chris Brown and Rihanna, two of the new generation's brightest stars in the music world, were involved in a highly publicized domestic violence incident. On the eve of the Grammy Awards, Chris severely beat Rihanna, causing serious facial injuries and swelling. As a result, Chris was convicted and sentenced to five years of probation along with six months of community service.

Afterward, the two split and reconciled multiple times, but the relationship remained tumultuous, with subsequent domestic violence incidents further tarnishing Chris's reputation. On the eve of this year's Grammy Awards, he once again found himself in the news for the wrong reasons. The pop star, once hailed as a potential successor to Michael Jackson, saw his career plummet faster than anticipated.

Earlier, Seth MacFarlane had made a joke about Chris and Rihanna during his hosting of the Oscars. The audience responded with boos, but these were more playful than hostile. Seth handled the situation with ease, quipping, "Let me tell you in advance, this is the worst joke, will you guys feel better?"

The audience laughed, and Seth smoothly transitioned into a new topic. "Actually, it's really not that good. The movie has caused a lot of controversy, especially with the use of the N-word," he said, referencing a film that had drawn criticism for its language. "I heard the script was inspired by Mel Gibson's voicemail—though not without some changes."

The mention of Mel Gibson, known for his controversial behavior and racial discrimination, drew an immediate reaction from the crowd. Seth, unflustered by the boos, responded with mock surprise: "Oh? Are you on his side?" The audience, seeing the humor, laughed again, and Seth continued, "I heard Quentin Tarantino uses the N-word because he considers himself black."

Seth then shifted the tone to a lighter subject. "Throughout the awards season, Jennifer Lawrence's attitude has been very humble. She's such a talented young woman," Seth commented, earning applause. "She's said that winning or losing doesn't matter as much to her—she's just honored that Meryl Streep didn't get nominated."

The audience roared with laughter as the camera captured Jennifer laughing shyly and covering her face with her hands.

As Seth kept the audience engaged, he also made a nod to Jodie Foster, who had received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globes. Jodie's candid speech about her life as a child star, her coming out, and her reflection on her career had moved many, and Seth continued to draw attention to her bravery.

Suddenly, a large screen above the stage dropped, revealing William Shatner in the iconic role of Captain James T. Kirk from Star Trek. This surprising moment received thunderous applause, as Star Trek, like Star Wars, had shaped the memories of an entire generation.

Then, Seth's opening performance took on the theme of this year's ceremony: the blending of music and film. Through a clever "time machine" skit, Captain Kirk explained that he had seen reports from the future where Seth's hosting was deemed an utter disaster. In response, Seth turned to the audience for reassurance, saying, "I've got to do something to save this show."

The first spoof video, which quickly became a viral hit, had Seth creating a song called "I've Seen Your Mi/Mi," poking fun at actresses who had committed fully to their craft, with Kate Winslet becoming the subject of the humor. The video also showed Jennifer Lawrence as the only actress who "hadn't seen it yet," much to the crowd's amusement.

As the video concluded, Seth clarified, "I'm not part of their choir, I just arranged the flowers at the end." The audience erupted in laughter, and Captain Kirk added, "Oh, trust me, in June 2015, you'll be joining them," which sparked more laughter.

To make amends for his "disastrous show," Seth invited Charlize Theron and Channing Tatum to perform a beautiful waltz to Frank Sinatra's classic tune, providing a much-needed graceful interlude.

In the second spoof, Seth performed an elaborate set of "flights" with sock dolls, only to be accused by Captain Kirk of discrimination. The third video saw Seth and Sally Field acting out a backstage scenario where Seth abandoned the awards ceremony, making light of the situation with Amy Adams' multiple Oscar snubs.

Finally, Seth, along with Charlize, Channing, Daniel Radcliffe, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, performed a classic golden-age song and dance number. However, the tap dance between Daniel and Joseph didn't quite hit the mark, leading to some awkward but endearing moments.

At the end of the performance, a "Future" news report appeared on the big screen, declaring: "The best Oscar host ever, everyone said so except Entertainment Weekly."

The audience gave thunderous applause, and Seth's hosting, despite some controversy, was widely discussed across social networks. His youthful and bold approach, infused with wit and humor, brought a refreshing energy to the Oscars.

In terms of ratings, this year's ceremony hit new highs, creating the most successful awards broadcast in over a decade since The Lord of the Rings 3 in 2004.

While Renly personally preferred Billy Crystal's smooth, polished style, he acknowledged that the Oscars needed change, and Seth's fresh energy was a welcome shift. Unfortunately, this would be Seth's only time hosting the Oscars. He later remarked that, having checked the experience off his list, he wasn't interested in a second round.

As the ceremony continued, Octavia Spencer presented the Best Supporting Actor award, which was claimed by Christoph Waltz for Django Unchained. While his win was not necessarily a surprise, the competition was fierce, and many felt other actors, including Tommy Lee Jones and Leonardo DiCaprio, were more deserving.

But in the end, the Oscars are about more than just merit—nominations depend on strength, while awards often hinge on luck. The influence of the Academy's public relations efforts is undeniable, shaping who takes home the coveted golden statue.