] The philosopher Immanuel Kant theorized that it is
] possible to make aesthetic judgments only if one
] completely ignores the influence of outside interests,
] including those of politics.
]
] But Immanuel Kant never voted in the Academy Awards.
]
] Throughout Oscar's 75 year history, political events in
] the outside world and in the behind-the-curtain world of
] Hollywood have crucially shaped the lists of prize
] winners and the conduct of the award ceremony itself.
] Indeed, with war waging in the Persian Gulf, the most
] compelling aspect of tonight's Oscar broadcast isn't who
] will win but how Hollywood stars will comport themselves
] on global TV at a time of war.
]
] Producers of tonight's Academy Awards show have chosen to
] be sensitive to world events by scaling back the more
] obviously gauche elements in the annual spectacle. Gone
] will be the lengthy red carpet queue of stars talking
] with Joan Rivers about their clothes and jewels and the
] horrible traffic on Hollywood Boulevard. Gone is Barbara
] Walters' annual Oscar night performance during which
] selected nominees excruciatingly reveal their pains and
] hopes. Post-ceremony parties have been scaled back and
] even canceled.
]
] And that's just outside the auditorium. Inside, similar
] cuts are being made; there's even talk that the thing
] might run shorter than four hours