SUFFERING awards season withdrawal? Go to The Gold Derby blog at TheEnvelope.com and discuss whether the Oscars should consider a kind of People's Choice awards. Some comments from the message board:
It would be nice if the Oscars became more viewer-friendly and allowed us to vote for our favorite film or "star of the year."
-- GoBlue!
Tacky.
-- Cinevita
I think it would be a good idea. I mean, look at BAFTA. They have that Orange Rising Star Award where you can like text in a vote in the U.K. to be counted.
-- bocaboy7
I refuse to let the people, the same people who voted to elect President Bush, the same people who voted to RE-elect Bush, and, hell, the same people who voted Taylor Hicks to win "American Idol" to have the knowledge and the ability to judge film's highest honor. Simple as that.
-- Taloson
. . . . The Academy is a private organization and I see no reason why they should allow non-members any say. . . .
-- Boidiva02
Part of what Oscar winners always say is, "It's so great to get an award like this from my peers." That's part of the value of the Oscar. . . . I can easily imagine some Oscar-hating snob setting up an "American Idol"-style "Vote for the Worst" website.
-- Biff McFume
The Oscars remain prestigious if they continue to allow only Academy members to vote for the actual awards. A viewer's choice award will surely cheapen the merit of the Academy Award.
-- DoubleD