Yesterday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that they’ll be honoring Oprah with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The Academy’s Board of Governors states that she’s slated to receive the honor because of her “extensive charitable, philanthropic, and educational efforts.”
And guess what? Critics AREN”T happy about this decision AT ALL. To be honest, I too rolled my eyes when I saw she’d be receiving the award. Not necessarily because she doesn’t deserve it, simply because I believe that there are many others out there in the world that are equally as deserving. And, let’s be honest, does The O really need another award? Some people are even suggesting that the Academy has chosen to honor Oprah in hopes she may — how shall I put this — be more generous with her funds in the future.
John Anderson, the chair of the New York Film Critics Circle, had this to say about it all:
“She’s in the motion picture industry? It seems like a shameless bid for a ratings boost — although once they start showing clips from Beloved and The Color Purple the numbers will plummet.”
Armond White, the former chair of the Circle, adds:
“Does this newly announced Academy prize prove that Oprah means the same thing to Hollywood as past Jean Hersholt Award winners Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Lew Wasserman, Charlton Heston? Is this just another way for the academy to continue to grovel for TV ratings?”
And now it’s time for your opinion . . . do you think the fantabulous Oprah deserves the award?
Image Credit to: WENN.com
