A Closer Look with John Beaudin - Thanks for Lip Synching at the Oscars Beyonce – That was Awesome!   
Feb. 22, 2009 – Does anybody sing live anymore? I like Beyonce; she saves me money on primal scream therapy. When Etta James went all crazy-mars-bars on her a few weeks ago it almost made me take Beyonce’s side. The former Destiny’s Child member sang James’ famous signature song ‘At Last’ at President Obama’s inauguration, and after James’ crazy-train reaction Beyonce never really responded. Well, she did at the Oscar last night. In her music lip-synched number with host Hugh Jackman, Beyonce slipped in ‘At Last.” I should say she slipped in a big “F*ck You Etta James!” Did Beyonce really have to be so petty? Sure, Beyonce played the Blues Icon in a movie but she’s no Etta James. I don’t know why but, to me, Beyonce, always comes off like she’s trying too hard. She’s like an insecure cheerleader dying to show you her happy fingers. So keep investing in those Beyonce albums, who knows, maybe one day they could be worth as much as Elvis’ movie collection. She’s so overexposed she gives gators gas.

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ took away all the music categories at the Academy Awards last night. In all, the foreign film won 8 awards including ‘Best Picture.’

Congrats to A.R. Rahman who won his first two Oscars for best original score and best song for ‘Jai Ho.’ The ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ composer said, "The essence of the film is about optimism. All of my life I've had a choice of hate and love, and I've chosen love-and I'm here."

This year all the Oscar nominated songs were sung in a medley which forced Peter Gabriel to bow out of his performance saying he felt that wasn’t enough time to showcase the song. His tune ‘Down to Earth,’ a collaboration with Thomas Newman, won the Grammy on Feb. 8 for ‘Best Song Written for a Motion Picture.’ On his website he said, "I think it's a bit unfortunate because while song writing is a small part of the filmmaking process, we still work bloody hard and deserve a place in the ceremony as well.”

In his place John Legend sang for about 45 seconds. He was joined by the Soweto Gospel Choir. The medley turned out to be a showcase for Rahman who performed ‘O Saya’ surrounded by dancers and taiko drums.

This year’s host Hugh Jackman surprisingly did a good job, not great but pretty damn good. His tribute to movie musicals was enjoyably funny until Beyonce got on stage. Can we please have an awards show without Beyonce’s ego yelling “Look at Me, I have more talent than everyone in the room!” Well, that’s what I heard.

The ‘Dead Peoples Montage,” as I like to call it, was extra poignant this year with Queen Latifah doing a breathtaking job singing ‘I’ll Be Seeing You.”

Also, the ‘Fight of the Century’ never happened between Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie even though the two were within punching distance of each other. We should point out that Brangelina won the non-fight considering she and Brad were in the front row while Aniston and John (what the hell am I doing Here) Mayer were a few seats back. Plus Angelina and Brad actually had nominations.

Interestingly, when Aniston was on stage with Jack Black, the Oscar’s Director, in true Hollywood form, immediately cut to Brad and Angelina and they all smiled away their disgust for one another. Kumbaya, My Lord, Kumbaya! I liked Angelina better when she was crazy. Jen can never compete with a woman who gave her own brother the best French kiss of his life and what’s wrong with wearing your husband’s blood around your neck? – by John Beaudin     - Story Courtesy of Rock History Book.com