Big changes are happening in terms of how the Oscar race is covered. If you’ve been around as long as I have you’ll have gotten used to these by now. At some point, I really should write a book about it all. There are only a small handful of us independents still running our own sites who haven’t been hired out to bigger outlets. Basically it’s the Penske media empire vs. The Wrap, Hollywood Reporter, and other outlets that cover the Oscars but aren’t solely devoted to them. Indiewire, Gold Derby, Variety, and Deadline are now all under Penske’s umbrella.
As far as AwardsDaily goes, most of these folks ignore what I do and what I think. It’s just something I’ve gotten used to over the years. That was why when David Carr became the first Carpetbagger for the New York Times and sought me out for counsel and friendship and advice on the Oscar race — yes, that’s right, sought ME out — it was and remains one of the only times in this two decade long journey anything like that has ever occurred. I remember his dragging me to these fancy Oscar parties and calling me up every year to discuss the Oscar race. He is greatly missed. I can never repay him for that and I’ll always be grateful. Over the years, a few great journalists have walked in the Carpetbagger’s shoes, including two women: Melena Ryzik and Cara Buckley. Now the Times has hired Vulture’s Kyle Buchanan for the job. He’ll be a great fit, as he goes to everything and has entertaining commentary throughout.
Gold Derby has made a bold move and hired my good friend Susan Wloszczyna. The former USA Today reporter and veteran Derby-ite is going to be one of the site’s full time editors. I’ve always counted her as among the very very few predictors I trust. She has a pragmatist’s approach to predictions and rarely lets her emotions get in the way, unlike me. We here at AwardsDaily wish her the best of luck and are delighted we’ll be seeing more of her voice throughout Oscar season.
Finally, and it struck me pretty hard the other day, it looks like David Poland is really and truly out of covering the Oscar race from his perch at Movie City News. Like many of us who have been doing this shit way too long, Poland has spoken often about redirecting his career. He’ll still be doing his video series, DP:30, but will no longer be among the major voices during Oscar season (which, quite frankly, now seems to be one voice in an echo chamber of everyone basically saying the same thing).
I never thought I would last as long as I have doing this as journalism, the Oscars, and Oscar coverage have all changed so much. I am not sure what the future holds for me, but I am proud to be, as always, my own boss.
This site would really be nothing without you devoted readers, many of whom have been coming back to read this site and to write me letters for 20 years. At the end of the day, for me anyway, that has meant everything.
Next week, my dogs and I drive up to Telluride and the Oscar race will be off and running.
