Some Random Oscar Thoughts

I'm just catching the show in between other stuff, and I just had some observations in no particular order:

From what I can see, the rest of the show hasn't been anywhere near as humorous as Neil Patrick Harris's double-entendre-filled musiclal number to open the program.

It's a shame that the hosts can't make too many topical references or give speeches promoting thier causes (yes, I think some of that is good) because no one will understand them and/or conservatives will get pissed off, so what passes for humor are remarks by Steve Martin and others about how vain they all are (that was amusing a few years ago, but it's merely tiresome now).

Is someone going to send Ben Stiller a memo telling them that his Oscar costumes aren't funny?

Nice job on the tribute to John Hughes, by the way.

And yes, I know the technical awards are boring, but the winners just get a group picture and no individual mention?

And finally, nice job to forget Patrick McGoohan in the "In Memoriam" segment (gee, "All Night Long"? "Ice Station Zebra"? "Mary, Queen Of Scots"? "Braveheart"? Any of those titles ring a bell?).

Also, memo to self - see "The Hurt Locker" ASAP.