Oscars to Give Out ‘Participation’ Awards
The ceremony, to be broadcast on ABC on February 24, 2019, is estimated to run approximately 79 hours.
HOLLYWOOD (TheSkunk.org) — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided to give out Oscars for a new “Participation” category, beginning with its 2019 ceremony. In a statement, AMPAS Board of Governors said it is important to acknowledge all the “talented and not-so-talented people in Hollywood who put forth an effort to make a film, regardless of the results.”
Due to the hundreds of studio and independent movies produced in 2018, the ceremony, to be broadcast on ABC on February 24, 2019, is estimated to run approximately 79 hours.
While most everyone in the entertainment industry is slated to receive the newly created prize, the presentations will not be without controversy. Producer and previous multi-Oscar winner Harvey Weinstein believes he should be one of the recipients, but the Academy said the only thing he produced in 2018 were victims.
Comedian-actor Kevin Hart, who was forced to step down as host of the Oscars for previous homophobic comments he made will not be attending the ceremony, but has asked Kevin Spacey to accept his award for him.
Even though actor Scott Baio hasn’t worked in several years, his publicist has begun campaigning for the former 1980s TV star to receive one of the coveted “Participies.”
Oprah Winfrey has signed on to present the Participation Awards, and will hand them out with her iconic discourse, “You get an Oscar and you get an Oscar…”
