Another White Oscars: The Daily Show

The Daily Show

15 Jan 201605:36

Summary

TLDRThe script is a satirical take on the Oscars' lack of diversity, highlighting the recurring theme of only certain types of films featuring black characters or themes receiving nominations. It humorously suggests that to gain recognition, black filmmakers should make movies that appeal to white Oscar voters by incorporating elements of slavery or oppression. The dialogue includes a mock strategy to 'trick' the Academy into nominating more diverse films by adding 'slavery salts' to any movie, no matter the genre.

Takeaways

🎬 The script discusses the Academy Awards and the nominations, highlighting the anticipation for Leonardo DiCaprio possibly winning an Oscar.
😤 It points out the lack of nominations for black actors and filmmakers, suggesting a disparity in recognition at the Oscars.
🤔 The conversation questions whether black movies deserved nominations, using 'Creed' as an example of a well-received film that didn't receive recognition for its black actors.
🏆 The script satirically suggests that black filmmakers need to 'pander' to white Oscar voters by making movies about black oppression to win awards.
🎶 It humorously proposes that adding elements like spirituals or themes of slavery could increase the chances of a movie getting nominated.
😅 The script uses irony to criticize the Oscars by suggesting that the only way for a black movie to get nominated is if it includes themes that make white people feel guilty.
🤷‍♂️ It mocks the idea that black filmmakers are 'to blame' for not winning Oscars, implying that they should change their storytelling to fit the expectations of the Academy.
🎥 The script mentions 'Straight Outta Compton' as an example where the writers were nominated, but the irony is highlighted by pointing out that they are white.
🏆 It uses humor to critique the Oscars, suggesting that white actors often get nominated for roles that involve physical transformation or playing unattractive characters.
🎵 The script ends with a comedic skit where they humorously 'fix' the nominations by adding slavery themes to existing movies to make them Oscar-worthy.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the script?
-The main topic of discussion in the script is the lack of diversity in the Academy Awards nominations, specifically the underrepresentation of black filmmakers and actors.
Who is the focus of the initial excitement in the script?
-The initial excitement is focused on Leonardo DiCaprio potentially winning an Oscar.
What recurring issue does Roy Wood, Jr. point out about the Oscars?
-Roy Wood, Jr. points out the recurring issue of black filmmakers and movies not receiving nominations despite positive reviews and audience reception.
Which movie does Roy Wood, Jr. mention as one of his favorites that did not receive nominations?
-Roy Wood, Jr. mentions 'Creed' as one of his favorite movies that did not receive nominations.
What irony does the script highlight about the movie 'Creed'?
-The irony highlighted is that Sylvester Stallone, the only white actor in 'Creed', received a nomination while the black actors and filmmakers did not.
What is the humorous suggestion made in the script about how black filmmakers could gain more nominations?
-The script humorously suggests that black filmmakers could gain more nominations by making movies that pander to white Oscar voters, implying that movies about black oppression are more likely to be nominated.
What is the satirical point made about the movie 'Straight Outta Compton'?
-The satirical point made is that despite being about gangsta rap, the movie 'Straight Outta Compton' still managed to get white writers nominated, highlighting the tendency to nominate white individuals even in black-centric movies.
What does the script suggest about the themes that typically win Oscars for black movies?
-The script suggests that black movies typically win Oscars when they focus on themes of black oppression, such as slavery, and evoke feelings of guilt in white audiences.
Which other movie besides 'Creed' does the script discuss in relation to the Oscars?
-The script discusses the movie 'Straight Outta Compton' in relation to the Oscars.
What is the comedic technique used in the script to emphasize the point about Oscar nominations?
-The comedic technique used is satire and irony, where the script exaggerates the need for black movies to include themes of slavery to gain Oscar nominations.
What conclusion does Roy Wood, Jr. reach about the approach black filmmakers should take to win Oscars?
-Roy Wood, Jr. concludes that black filmmakers should trick white audiences into thinking their movies are about slavery, even if they are not, to increase their chances of winning Oscars.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 Oscars and Representation

The paragraph discusses the excitement around the Academy Awards nominations, particularly the possibility of Leonardo DiCaprio winning an Oscar. However, it shifts focus to the lack of progress for black people and other minorities in the Oscars, despite the success of movies made by black filmmakers. The conversation between Trevor and Roy Wood Jr. highlights the disparity, using examples like 'Creed' and 'Straight Outta Compton' to point out the Oscars' tendency to nominate white actors or crew over black talent. They humorously suggest that to win an Oscar, black filmmakers need to make movies that appeal to white voters' guilt about historical oppression, implying that successful black films often revolve around themes of slavery or civil rights struggles.

05:01

🏆 The Strategy for Oscar Success

This paragraph continues the discussion on the Oscars, focusing on the perceived need for black filmmakers to incorporate elements of slavery or oppression into their movies to gain recognition. The dialogue satirically suggests that adding scenes reminiscent of historical black struggles can increase the chances of an Oscar nomination. The conversation uses 'Creed' as an example, hypothesizing how adding a narrative about the protagonist's great-grandfather being a slave could have potentially earned it an Oscar nod. The paragraph concludes with a humorous award announcement for Roy Wood Jr., emphasizing the讽刺 and critical take on the Oscars' nomination process.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Academy Awards

The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are a set of awards for artistic and technical achievements in the film industry. They are one of the most prominent events in the entertainment world, often seen as a benchmark for excellence in cinema. In the script, the excitement around the Oscars is juxtaposed with the recurring issue of racial bias in nominations, highlighting the ongoing conversation about diversity and representation in the film industry.

💡Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio is a renowned actor who has been nominated for several Oscars but has only won one. His potential to win an Oscar is used in the script to draw attention to the broader issue of racial disparity in Oscar nominations. The script humorously suggests that while DiCaprio might finally get the recognition he seeks, other minority groups, particularly black filmmakers, continue to be marginalized.

💡Marginalized minorities

Marginalized minorities refers to groups that are treated as insignificant or are given little recognition within a society. In the context of the script, it specifically points to the lack of representation and acknowledgment of black filmmakers and artists in the Oscars nominations, despite their contributions to the film industry.

💡Creed

Creed is a 2015 sports drama film that is mentioned in the script as an example of a movie featuring black actors and directors that received critical acclaim but did not receive the same level of recognition in Oscar nominations. The film's exclusion from nominations is used to critique the Oscars' alleged bias against films made by and featuring black people.

💡Straight Outta Compton

Straight Outta Compton is a 2015 biographical film about the rise of the group N.W.A. The script uses the film's nomination for best screenplay as a point of irony, noting that despite the film's focus on black culture and history, the nomination went to the film's white writers. This is used to underscore the theme of racial bias in the Oscars.

💡Pandering

Pandering in this context refers to the act of adapting one's behavior or speech to please or gain favor with a particular group. The script satirically suggests that black filmmakers must pander to white Oscar voters by making movies that fit a certain narrative of black oppression to win awards, highlighting the systemic bias in the industry.

💡Slavery

Slavery is a historical context used in the script to illustrate the recurring theme in films that receive Oscar recognition if they involve black characters. The script humorously points out that movies about slavery or oppression often get nominated, suggesting that this is a narrative that white Oscar voters find appealing or comfortable.

💡Oscar bait

Oscar bait refers to films that are specifically made or marketed to appeal to the Academy voters to gain nominations and awards. The script uses this term to critique the idea that black filmmakers are pressured to create certain types of films to be recognized by the Oscars, rather than being able to tell a wide range of stories.

💡Representation

Representation in this context means the portrayal or inclusion of a particular group in the media, particularly in a way that reflects their experiences and perspectives. The script discusses the lack of representation of black filmmakers and stories in the Oscars, suggesting that the industry needs to do more to include diverse voices and narratives.

💡The Weekend

The Weekend, also known as Abel Tesfaye, is a Canadian singer who was nominated for an Oscar in the script's narrative. His nomination for a song in the film 'Fifty Shades of Grey' is used as an example of the type of work by black artists that gets recognized, which the script suggests is more palatable to mainstream, predominantly white audiences.

💡Racial bias

Racial bias refers to the prejudice or discrimination against certain racial groups. The script uses humor and satire to discuss the racial bias in the Oscars, suggesting that the awards disproportionately favor white filmmakers and narratives, while marginalizing those of black filmmakers.

Highlights

Leonardo DiCaprio's potential Oscar win is a hot topic.

The lack of progress for marginalized minorities in the Oscars.

The recurring theme of black people being overlooked despite great movies.

Creed being a favorite movie that didn't get the nominations it deserved.

The irony of Sylvester Stallone being the only white actor nominated for a predominantly black movie.

The nomination of Straight Outta Compton's white writers over the predominantly black cast and subject matter.

The suggestion that black filmmakers need to cater to white Oscar voters' preferences.

The pattern of Oscar-winning movies about black oppression.

The idea that black filmmakers should make any movie but 'trick' it to seem about slavery to win Oscars.

The Weeknd's nomination for a song in Fifty Shades of Grey, a movie about a rich white guy who likes whipping people.

White actors gaining or losing weight, or becoming 'ugly' to get Oscar attention.

The humorous suggestion to replace gangsta rap with spirituals to get a movie nominated.

The concept of 'sprinkling slavery' on a movie to make it Oscar-worthy.

The hypothetical scenario of adding slavery elements to Creed to make it an Oscar contender.

The final message that Roy Wood, Jr. is declared the winner, encapsulating the satirical nature of the discussion.