Seth Meyers' Fake Movie is Basically Everything That's Wrong with the Oscars

Summary

• The Oscars are (just a bit) pretentious.
• Meyers artfully highlights this with his short film.
• It's a must-watch for all movie fans.

It's often been suggested that the Oscars is just a load of self-congratulatory claptrap on behalf of the movie industry that does nothing to enhance the quality of filmmaking, acting, or any other aspect of cinema that actually appeals to fans.

Many have speculated that Oscar-winning movies and performances segway a little too easily into tropes that almost guarantee a nomination at the very least.

Neither of these has been suggested in quite the way Seth Meyers showed us with his hilarious short film, Oscar Bait, on Late Night.

Cinephiles love Oscar-winning movies more than they love the Oscars

Any movie fan who tells you they don't pay attention to the Academy Awards is almost certainly lying. For one thing, images of red-carpet poses and tearful speeches grace every media outlet for days after the event.

But there is also something in almost all of us that secretly wants our favorite movies or actors to be recognized. It's also true that Oscar-winning movies often enjoy longevity, and the actors and directors who receive awards boast enhanced reputations as a result.

And yet, none of this takes away from the twee, saccharine-soaked cotton candy event that is the awards show itself.

Meyers and his team have absolutely nailed everything that's wrong about the Oscars with this skit

If you haven't seen it yet, I urge you to take a few moments to do so. It's 5 minutes and 37 seconds of stereotypes, satire, and Seth Meyers being hilarious.

The video hits all the key elements we've come to expect from not only Oscar-winning movies, but movies that blatantly want to be nominated. In fact, Meyers has a special mention for a movie that fits that category – and it's hard to deny that he's right.

Interestingly, it's the kind of comedy that's sadly missing from the event. For a ceremony that is primarily a celebration of entertainment, the Oscars tend to lack things such as smiles and some basic signs that any of the attendees are actually having a good time. Still, to be fair, their goodie bags are only worth about $125,000 each.

You have to watch the short before you watch the Oscars

Right from the start, the short film makes fun of all the obvious signs that we know the judges are looking for. That includes things you may not have picked up on yet, but you won't be able to miss once you get to the end of the video. And be sure to watch to the end – it's so worth it!

Meyers pokes fun at the way directors play with racial tension, latent gayness, disabled characters, and the raw emotions of love, hate, and frustration to get their movies to the front of the line.

But it does so in a way that says, 'We see you. But we love you for it.' Had it been real, it would have shocked the industry and the world, such is the complete lack of self-deprecating humor associated with the Oscars and its stars.

It also provides a nice break from the political humor, which, while highly relevant, will only increase as we approach the presidential election – not that this is the place to get into the stereotypes and satire that are also associated with that particular circus.