BAFTA Rocks

Sometime recently, right around the election, I imagine, I discovered I had BBCA which is BBC America. It's the BBC repackaged for the US.

Last evening, I watched about a 3 hour telecast of the BAFTAs which are the British equivalent of the Oscars.

Several things to note. Without an intrusive band, the winners of the prize somehow managed to keep their speeches mercifully short. A few thanked a bunch of people, but many chose not to do so. What causes Oscar winners to prattle off name after name? Is it in their contract? No one remembers the names except the people who are named, so why must we, the audience, be subject to this?

The reason the Oscars run so long is because they build up all these other specials in between. Long musical numbers. Long tributes. If they simply handed out the awards, they'd probably get done sooner.

A fair number of Americans show up for the awards. Ron Howard was shown many times. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and best actor winner, Mickey Rourke.

Admittedly, the awards ceremony is what it is. Is it that exciting to see a bunch of people get awards?

Slumdog Millionaire won best director and best picture, and although the main actors were nominated as well (why?), neither won.

US gets its chance soonish, but the affair will be drawn out much longer. Sigh indeed.