Why do the Oscars matter?
By The Washington Post
Imperilled, then postponed, the 93rd Academy Awards are finally set to take place this Sunday.
Not many know what to expect, save for the dissonance of glitz and glamour against the backdrop of a nation decimated by illness and economic downturn. Perhaps the Oscars will serve as a reprieve.
They are, after all, the most extravagant of award shows, considered important enough for an adjacent industry of publicists and marketing experts to devote months to campaigning, and entertaining enough for a broadcast television network to allocate hours of Sunday night airtime to the ceremony.