Podcast Summary: What a Day – "Why The Oscars 'Never Get It Right'"

Release Date: February 28, 2025

Host: Jane Coaston
Guest: Sam Sanders, Host of KCRW's The Sam Sanders Show and Vibe Check
Produced by: Crooked Media

Introduction

In the February 28th episode of What a Day, host Jane Coaston delves into the tumultuous world of the Oscars, questioning the relevance and effectiveness of the Academy Awards in today's cinematic landscape. While the primary focus centers on the Oscars, the episode also touches upon significant political and social news, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current events.

The Oscars: A Flawed Institution

Jane Coaston opens the episode by expressing her personal connection to the Oscars, highlighting the paradox of awards meant to honor cinematic excellence but often falling short due to internal politics and industry biases.

Key Points:

• Selection Process Issues: The Academy's voting members often champion films that don't resonate with the general public. Jane cites that "members of an industry lobbying other members of that same industry to give a movie a big award, even if most Americans haven't seen it" undermines the Oscars' credibility.

• Historical Missteps: Jane references past Best Picture winners like The English Patient and The Shape of Water, questioning their lasting impact and relevance compared to audience favorites like Fargo.

• Current Year’s Controversies: The episode discusses the problematic nomination of Amelia Perez, which started as a frontrunner but became mired in scandals over tweets and political backlash. Additionally, the use of AI in The Brutalist and other production issues have cast doubt on this year's nominees.

Notable Quote:

"Oscar season this year has been messy in a way that kind of matches our weird political moment." — Jane Coaston [00:02]

Expert Insight: Sam Sanders on the Oscars

Jane Coaston is joined by Sam Sanders to dissect why the Oscars consistently miss the mark in recognizing truly deserving films.

Discussion Highlights:

• Awards Industrial Complex: Sam criticizes the Oscars' system, stating, "the awards industrial complex is such a juggernaut and a force now, I think it's a waste of money and time that could be used to just make more good movies." [02:35]

• Campaigning and Influence: The conversation touches on the origins of modern Oscar campaigning, tracing it back to Harvey Weinstein and discussing how strategic lobbying skews award outcomes. Sam remarks, "It's all bad from the root." [03:55]

• Public Perception vs. Academy Choices: Both Jane and Sam express frustration over the disconnect between popular opinion and the Academy's selections, emphasizing that many Oscar-winning films are not widely appreciated by general audiences.

• Historical Context: Sam provides a brief history of the Oscars, revealing that they were initially created by Louis B. Mayer as a tactic to prevent actors from unionizing. This historical insight underscores the Oscars' foundational flaws. [07:06]

Notable Quotes:

"They consistently get it wrong, and I think they'll get it wrong again this year." — Sam Sanders [02:43]

"With all of these academies, you're always going to have an age issue, because once you get in the Academy, you don't want to leave." — Sam Sanders [08:05]

Broader Implications and Additional News

Beyond the Oscars, the episode covers a range of other significant topics affecting the current socio-political climate.

Donald Trump's Diplomatic Maneuvers

Jane discusses President Donald Trump's recent diplomatic efforts involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump emphasized his "very good relationship" with both leaders, aiming to broker a peace deal while securing access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals as compensation for U.S. war aid. This move is seen as an attempt to balance international relations amid ongoing tensions.

Notable Quote:

"I have a very good relationship with President Putin. I think I have a very good relationship with President Zelensky." — Donald Trump [14:19]

The Tate Brothers’ Return to the U.S.

The episode highlights the return of Andrew and Tristan Tate to the United States after being barred from Romania due to serious allegations, including human trafficking and rape. Despite the charges, Romanian authorities lifted their travel ban, a move speculated to involve U.S. governmental influence, though Romanian officials deny such pressure.

Notable Quote:

"We've yet to be convicted of any crime in our lives, ever." — Andrew Tate [17:17]

24-Hour Shopping Blackout

In a bid to combat rising prices and corporate malpractices, organizers from the People's Union USA initiated a 24-hour shopping blackout. Participants are encouraged to refrain from purchasing from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and McDonald's, urging instead to support local businesses.

Notable Quote:

"If you've ever struggled to pay your rent, if you've ever had to decide between food and bills... then you already know why this is happening." — John Schwartz [18:29]

Cancellations at the National Archives

Jane reports on the mysterious cancellation of book events at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, involving authors Brian Goldstone, Elaine Weiss, and Mike Tidwell. The abrupt changes have raised suspicions about political motivations, especially following the appointment of Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the acting archivist after Trump fired the previous head.

Notable Quote:

"Is this just about programming or is this the Trump administration... playing politics?" — Jane Coaston [21:05]

Conclusion

Jane Coaston wraps up the episode by reflecting on the systemic issues plaguing institutions like the Oscars and the National Archives, linking them to broader political agendas and the erosion of public trust. She underscores the necessity for transparent and merit-based systems to restore faith in these longstanding institutions.

Final Thoughts: The episode serves as a critical examination of how entrenched systems, whether in the film industry or government archives, often fail to align with public interests and ethical standards. Jane and Sam advocate for meaningful reforms and greater accountability to ensure that recognition and preservation efforts genuinely reflect societal values and achievements.

Additional Information:

• Subscribe & Connect: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to What a Day on their preferred podcast platform, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and watch episodes on YouTube.

• Production Credits: The episode was produced by Crooked Media, with contributions from associate producers Raven Yama Moto and Emily Foer, among others. The production team is proudly unionized with the Writers Guild of America East.

This summary excludes non-content sections such as advertisements and introductory/outrage sections to focus solely on the episode's substantive discussions.