During my late night rare fit of insomnia, I decided to watch Oscar Special that I felt kinda silly even recording it. I set it to TiVo on the living room TiVo which MrZ rarely looks at, hoping to watch and/or delete it before he ever saw it. He’d never let me live that down.
But it was good!
Let me backtrack. I have documented my distaste for Russell Crowe on several occasions. His cocky attitude and ungrateful nature always sparked my hatred. After seeing one jackass-y interview he did around the days of Gladiator, I decided to boycott his movies on some sort of bizarre principal where I didn’t want my ticket money going to his wallet. (You know he totally felt that boycott too…that money could have changed his life.) Well, I saw an interview with him on Ellen a few months ago. And you know what? I forgot that I hated him! He was sweet and sincere (talking about his kids) and seemed very humble. He was entertaining and simply…nice. I honestly said at one point, “Wait. I’m supposed to hate this guy.”
I don’t know if having kids softened him a little, or if I had misinterpreted him all along. Based on what he told Nicole Kidman last night, I’m thinking the first. It was cool watching them interview each other because you could totally tell how nervous SHE was. It was crazy. I’ve never been a big fan of hers, although moving to Nashville after marrying Keith Urban totally warmed me up to her. But last night she was very cute and lovable. At one point, Russel asked her about her and Keith and how they were doing (he entered alcohol rehab 4 months after they married) and she said something simple like, “We’re doing great.” But then she backtracked and said, “That isn’t going to sound sincere…” and she went into more detail saying that sometimes you have to “dig deep” in a marriage and they had to do that at month 3. It was real and honest.
Russel mentioned that he wish he hadn’t been so limited in his vision of his younger years. He wished he had the insight to know how his behavior would affect his future and those around him who end up having to vouch for him. He made no apologies, and even separated “anger” from “temper” claiming he is NOT an angry person at all. It was really fascinating. I earned a lot of respect for the both of them after that.
The other two interviews Julia Roberts/George Clooney and Sidney Poitier/Jamie Foxx were excellent as well. I could feel Jamie’s respect and adoration in my living room. You could tell he was simply amazed being in the presence of someone so inspirational as Poitier. He asked him parenting advice and told him he always looked “dapper” which - that word totally needs to make a resurgence. It was perfect in that moment. Julia and George were like watching a brother and sister goof off. It was cute and exactly what I expected. She kept saying, “I have to pee” which cracked me up. It would have been a great production if it weren’t for Oprah’s awkward segues she did that seemed stilted and just weird.
All in all - if I was going to be awake until 2am - at least I had good stuff to watch.
oh oh i think this was being Tivo’d (all things George are tivo’d) when i woke up in the dim hours of the AM realizing I had fallen asleep on the couch at 9:30….i will have to check the Tivo and watch!!
Well, I think you are dapper!
I watched it too, but at the aired time. I wasn’t sleepy at all, so I figured I could watch. I liked it, it was fun! I don’t usually watch the Barbara Walters specials, so I am surprised I actually watched this one!
I watched it too, and you know what I started thinking? I thought, “hey, it’s like they’re answering the best meme questions ever.” I want to answer the questions Nicole asked Russell. “What was your most momentous kiss?” Awesome question. His answer was sweet too.
It was cute, but I fell asleep while watching it. Luckily it’s on Tivo (best. machine. evar.)
Here’s a question: why was it an Oprah special? She recorded a lead in and a few voice overs before and after commercials. And for that she gets her name all over it? Jeez, even I can sit on my couch and say “let’s here what Nicole’s going to ask Russell”
But yeah, it seemed a bit more real than most of the “entertainment” shows out there, many of which I can’t stand.
It actually sounds like it was pretty good. Now I’m sorry I missed it.
And I agree, “dapper” really should make a comeback.
I wish I would have tivo’d it…I’m still not a Russell Crow fan. Sorry, something about Gladiator just threw me off…I happen to think it’s a horrible remake and that they need to just scrap it.
I spent my time last night watching The Devil Wears Prada…Zoot, that is an AMAZING movie…if you haven’t seen it yet, get it now!
hmmm… interesting.
I also carried the same boycott against Russell Crowe for his seeming arrogance, that just got under my skin.
I really liked it, too: George & Julia were very funny together, and you’re right, kind of brother/sister-y. You could tell that Russell & Nicole were both nervous about what the other would ask, but then still answered honestly. And, while I think Jamie Foxx usually comes off cocky, with Sidney he seemed sincere. The only thing I didn’t like was Oprah - She really didn’t have an actual role, and so the bumpers were just… annoying. (”Thanks Russell! Thanks Nicole! - wow: profound!)
Dude, i watched that last night instead of “ER” and I really enjoyed it too. I’ve never had issues with Russell Crowe, I’ve actually always kinda liked him. I always saw it that he was misunderstood by a lot of people. I’ve always enjoyed his movies, he’s very good at what he does. But he did seem softer in the interview last night. I think being interviewed by a friend helped him feel a lot less on the defensive, and that probably helped.
The interviews were so fascinating. What a good idea to have these big celebrities interview each other! I agree, George and Julia were hysterical together. And I love Jamie Foxx’s Sydney Poitier impressions.