Oscars tribute 2009

One of the first things I want to mention about this year's Oscars, and previous ones as well, is the Academy's constant failure to do proper recognition to those in the industry who have passed away. These are people who have devoted large portions of their lives to this industry and the least the Academy can do is highlight them for a few seconds in a tribute. Forget time constraints, for people who have pushed the industry, they need to make the time. Case in point, this year the Academy dropped the ball big time by overlooking one of the most recognized and prominent voices in the industry: Don LaFontaine. How do you pass up someone like that? They even put some PR guy in the tribute instead of him! Not to mention Eartha Kitt, one of three women who played Catwoman in the Adam West "Batman", among many other film and TV appearances. Also, Patrick McGoohan, of "Avengers" (TV) and "A View To a Kill" fame, and comedian George Carlin, who goes without description.. I'm getting tired of the Academy ignoring recognizable people while including people who have probably had an impact, but nobody knows about. A few other ignored names over past years are Brad Renfro (2008), and Shirley Walker (2006). The latter is especially disappointing as she was a pioneer in the industry (one of, if not, the first major female composers). It's already a shame that the Academy continues to reduce these talented people's lives and work to mere seconds, but outright ignoring some people is just unforgivable. More memory and highlighting, and less self-congratulating and bland musical numbers.