The Oscars

The Academy Award's best picture nominees feel small, timid and dry, while the box office smashes feel big, bold and dopey. There's got to be some kind of middle ground. We used to be able to find it.

How rare is it when at least one of the best picture nominees isn't among the year's top 10 box office hits? What was once a rarity has now become routine.

If nothing else comes out of this god awfully mismanaged strike, it will have all have been worth it if even for just one season we can rid the airwaves of the endless, meaningless Hollywood awards shows.