Low rated Oscars overshadowed by politics, controversy

The 75th annual Academy Awards this week was the least watched Oscar show since Nielsen began calculating viewers in 1974. And with a controversial war raging in Iraq and the country torn politically (as evidenced by pro and anti-war protesters in L.A. and cities all over the nation the day of the ceremonies), it seems a strange joke to watch a musical (even the dark, twisted "Chicago") pick up "Best Picture" over the epic "Gangs of New York" and the heart wrenching Holocaust drama "The Pianist."

All in all it was a strange night all around:

- "The Red Carpet" tradition of rich people showing off expensive gowns and jewelry cancelled but nominees reportedly told to avoid reporters and political talk in order to "preserve the dignity" of the Oscars.

- Radical documentary maker Michael Moore picking up an Oscar for the brilliant U.S. gun culture exploration "Bowling for Columbine" and using his speech to denounce the war in Iraq, President Bush and the "culture of violence" that he sees as responsible for creating wars like the one in Iraq and tragedies like the massacre at Columbine.

- The talented young Adrian Brody picking up "Best Actor" his first time out in the face of stiff competition from veterans like Jack Nicholson, Daniel Day Lewis, Nicholas Cage and Michael Caine.

Brody forcefully told the producers to stop the orchestra music that cued his rush from the stage, saying "I only get one shot at this," and took the time to address the war in Iraq and send love to a friend serving in Kuwait.

- Roman Polanski defying expectations to beat out Chicago's Rob Marshall and Gangs' Scorsese for best director - but being unavailable to pick up the statuette as U.S. authorities have promised to nab him the moment he's on their soil for drugging, raping and sodomizing of a 13 year old girl in 1977 - a crime for which he was convicted and for which he's been a fugitive ever since.

The Polanski win polarized the crowd more than any other moment in the evening. Some, including competing director Martin Scorsese, rose in a standing ovation. Others chose to stay seated - including Jack Nicholson, whose house and hot tub Polanski used in his assault while Nicholson was away. Best Actor winner Adrian Brody - who won his Oscar as the lead in Polanski's film "The Pianist," has stated publicly that he thinks Polanski's legal troubles should take a backseat, and that he should have been allowed to attend the awards without being arrested.

Moore's comments have gotten the most press. The director, activist and best selling author of "Stupid White Men" called the 2000 election a farce and said that Bush, a fictional president, is now sending troops into a fictional war for fictional reasons.

In the end it was a very strange night that few people saw ... and despite the cynicism that says that's a good thing, that no one needs to watch millionaire entertainers congratulating themselves while men and women are dying overseas, the low ratings are a shame. On the whole the entertainment community stepped up to address the world outside the Kodak Theater - and those who didn't seemed foolish for avoiding the larger issue. Both were worth seeing.