The Oscars – Dancing for Straight Guys

Here is Adam Shankman in USA Today:

“Dancing is so a part of the American public consciousness right now,” he says. “It’s a fabulous time for dancers.” He interrupts an interview to cajole the room full of auditioners, who are concentrating on rehearsing their moves.

“It’s playful and whimsical and I’m seeing hard, angry jazz face,” he says. “That will kill me. More important, that will kill you! Because I’m not going nowhere. It’s my gig!”

The Oscars ceremony, which Shankman is co-producing with Bill Mechanic, is his biggest gig yet. His TV, musical and film experience has prepared him well.

As he says, “The Oscars are the world’s best-dressed reality competition show.“

Another talking point appears to “dance for straight guys,” as highlighted in this AP story. So, what are supposed to expect? Maybe some John Travolta hip-grinding straight guy dancing?

Expect “fun” presenters, Mechanic says: “We didn’t do the normal-normal thing.” Look for lively, emotional and educational moments, Shankman says: “You want to feel either like you’re learning or you’re getting to know people.” And expect an homage to the best year in box-office history.

The two producers have been watching the season’s other awards shows “to see what the story of the night is going to be and trying to build that into the show in a meaningful way,” Shankman says.

Already emerging? The theme of ex-spouses James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow possibly competing against each other in the picture and director categories, Mechanic says.

The duo will have to wait until nominees are announced on Tuesday to discover what the night’s other themes might be.

Regardless, the producers promise an Oscar show for movie makers, movie stars and movie fans.

“The cliche is it’s the granddaddy of it all. There wouldn’t be any other awards shows if it wasn’t for the Oscars,” Mechanic says. “It’s the real thing. If you’re in football, it’s the Super Bowl. If you’re in baseball, it’s the World Series. If you’re in movies, it’s the Oscars. There’s nothing like it.”

So we just have to wait and see!