The fact that few minorities are rewarded is just a reflection of Hollywood, Davis says. Except for in the actors' branch, there aren't a lot of opportunities for black and other minorities. Davis also says there's not an issue with older members. Billy Wilder out any time soon. So many great comedies weren't nominated for best picture, including Some Like It Hot , The Producers , Blazing Saddles and the Marx Brothers' Duck Soup .
Actors also have to go serious to get nominated.
Annie Hall , for example, won the 1977 best picture. The more limited, the more the awards mean. The Oscar has to maintain its dignity. Most recently in 1999, Steven Spielberg was chosen best director for Saving Private Ryan , but Shakespeare in Love , directed by John Madden, won best picture. Perhaps an even better solution would be for the director to join in the best picture prize, which now goes to the producers.