Why Zach Galifianakis Was Robbed of an Oscar Nom

By Mike Ryan Posted Feb 4th 2010 08:08AM

Why is it so difficult for actors playing a comedic role to be recognized? Almost universally, actors agree that comedy is the harder genre to master than drama. If that's true, why doesn't the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences think so when they hand out their Oscar nominations every year? Basically, this is just our convoluted way of saying: Zach Galifianakis ... you were robbed! Our reasons why after the jump.

Look at the list of nominees this year. The closest thing to a comedy nomination is Meryl Streep's Best Actress nod for her performance of Julia Child in 'Julie & Julia,' though it's quite a stretch to call that a comedy. Wasn't the inclusion of an extra five films for Best Picture supposed to open the doors for other genres? Sure, it did open the door for weepy, "no one believed in me," football-themed dramas. What about comedy? What happened to the supposed revolution of comedy 32 years ago when 'Annie Hall' swept the Oscars? 'The Hangover' -- in no way are we comparing 'Annie Hall' and 'The Hangover' ... but we kinda are -- is one of the most successful comedies of all time and won a Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy. And it couldn't even sniff one of the 10 nominations? Fine, but Galifianakis carried this film. If Robert Downey Jr. could be nominated for a pretty overrated performance in 'Tropic Thunder,' this year Galifianakis should have been a shoo-in.

Zach's 'Hangover' Highlights
(Warning: Foul Language)

Look, Christoph Waltz from 'Inglourious Basterds' is, deservedly, going to win Best Supporting Actor. That's a given. Would it have been that hard to recognize one comedic performance as a token gesture? Especially, for the second year running (Heath Ledger was a lock last year), where no other actor has a chance to win? Really, Academy, you're going to make poor Matt Damon schlep all the way over to the Kodak Theater just to watch Waltz give his acceptance speech? Don't you think Woody Harrelson has more recreational things to do with his time? (Admittedly, Harrelson was fantastic in 'The Messenger.') Do you know what would have been great to see walking the red carpet this year? A shaggy bearded, preferably pantless, Zach Galifianakis. That's who.

Historically, Oscar is not a friend to comedy. This was all supposed to change when Woody Allen and Diane Keaton won Oscars for 1977's 'Annie Hall.' 'Hall'-type comedies were green lit at a blistering pace. Of course, the next three Best Picture winners were the not quite as funny: 'The Deer Hunter,' 'Kramer Vs. Kramer' and 'Ordinary People.'

In the last 10 years, only three comedic acting roles were honored with an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor: Thomas Haden Church in 'Sideways' (not entirely a comedy), Alan Arkin, who won for 'Little Miss Sunshine,' and the aforementioned Downey in 'Tropic Thunder.' That's three out of 50 total nominations! And forget about Best Picture: Only 'Juno,' 'Little Miss Sunshine,' 'Sideways' and, for unintentional purposes only, 'Crash,' could be considered comedies.

Galifianakis can take solace in the curious case of Jim Carrey. He wasn't just nominated for two consecutive Golden Globe acting awards -- for 'The Truman Show' and 'Man on the Moon' -- he actually won in back-to-back years. Carey, however, is still waiting for his first Academy Award nomination.

So, we feel for you, Zach. You carried 'The Hangover' on your shoulders and made it the highest grossing R-rated comedy of all time. It's just apparent that, unfortunately, the Academy doesn't have much of a sense of humor. And, if it does, maybe it just doesn't appreciate the old taser to the face gag.

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Zach Galifianakis Snapshots

The mightily-bearded Zach Galifianakis is seen here on the set of 'Due Date,' which he's shooting alongside Robert Downey Jr. Click for More Zach Pics >>>

RADCLIFFE/bauergriffinonline.com

Zach Galifianakis Snapshots

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Actor Robert Downey Jr. takes a break on set of his upcoming film "Due Date" and makes grand gestures with his left arm while his right is all plastered up. Picture Shows: Zach Galifianakis EXCLUSIVE December 4, 2009 Job: 91204X6 Los Angeles, California www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Zach Galifianakis Snapshots

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Actor Zach Galifianakis arrives at the premiere of Paramount Pictures' "Up In The Air" held at Mann Village Theatre on November 30, 2009 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zach Galifianakis

Zach Galifianakis Snapshots

Actors Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis attend Oceana's 2009 Partners Award gala on November 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Oceana's 2009 Partners Award Gala Los Angeles, CA United States November 20, 2009 Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58975311), contact FilmMagic.com

Zach Galifianakis Snapshots

Actor Zach Galifianakis attends Oceana's 2009 Partners Award gala on November 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Oceana's 2009 Partners Award Gala Los Angeles, CA United States November 20, 2009 Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58974928), contact FilmMagic.com

Zach Galifianakis Snapshots

Actor Zach Galifianakis arrives for Oceana's 2009 Partners Award Gala on November 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Oceana's 2009 Partners Award Gala - Arrivals Los Angeles, CA United States November 20, 2009 Photo by Kristian Dowling/WireImage.com To license this image (58974854), contact WireImage.com

Zach Galifianakis Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Actress January Jones poses with Zach Galifianakis at the Oceana's 2009 Partners Award Gala on November 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** January Jones;Zach Galifianakis

Zach Galifianakis Snapshots

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Actors Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis arrives at the Oceana's 2009 Partners Award Gala on November 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ted Danson;Zach Galifianakis

Zach Galifianakis Snapshots

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Comments

(82)

Friday 05 February

By Jim

Vote down Vote up Report this

Hangover was a decent flick, but Zack's performance was not Oscar-worthy. Acting zany and weird doesn't automatically get you an Oscar nomination. He was memorable in the movie, but that doesn't make him a good actor. IMHO only.

By BarbaraAnn

Hey (ithoughtso) I so agree with you. The characters couldn't utter a sentence without dropping the F bomb! It was a classless, silly, raunchy movie about a bunch of immature men acting like a--holes! HaHa, real funny!!! Oscar material, not even close!!!!!!!!

By JustME

Anybody who didn't think 'The Hangover' was funny has NO sense of humor what-so-ever!! Yes, you might think that you do, but news flash you don't!! I am guessing you take life way too seriously and are up tight pretty much 24/7. And of course you will feel the need to respond to this because you will find it offensive, but don't bother!

By Mickey Elliott

It doesn't make any difference weather he won any kind of trophy.. That kid sitting on his lap is all he will ever need. The baby is beautimus. That is one notch about beautiful...

By Josh

If you liked him in the Hangover...go rent Out Cold....He saves that movie....

By lyn

They should have used 4 mexicans. Hilarious

Saturday 06 February

By JCYGAL5

IN DONKEY WOOD IF YOU ARE NOT A DRUGHEAD,DRUNK,DIKE OR A GAY GUY OR GAL.AND HAVE NOT SLEEP WITH EVERY DUMBODUMER OR[BRAINDEAD]DUNCE AND HAVE NOT MADE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY AN OSCAR FOR THEM SELVES.GO CLEAN A HOUSE FOR SOMONE'YOU PEOPLE GIVE AMERICA A BAD NAME.AND ARE A USELESS BUNCH OF SO-CALLED PEOPLE.MAYBE A NICE FIRE COULD RID THIS STATE OF ALL THE WAISTE THERE.BYE BYE NUT CASES

By costa

regarding zach's last name.if you can read,all cretan names are easy to pronounce.just pronounce all the letters.besides we greeks started it all.(get some wendex)I am glad to see a cretan not changing the family name.

By sammie

No way he should have been nomintated and the movie should be burned so that no one else is subject to such a dull & meaningless movie.

By debbie

Great movie. Very funny. But not Oscar worthy. And I just don't see why Galifianakis' performance is being singled out as being so amazing. It was a good performance...but it wasn't really original or challenging. It was a drunk guy roadtrip movie...and it's really not hard playing a simpleton or worse, a drunk simpleton. If anyone should be singled out it would be Ed Helms' performance....it required more than Galifianakis' role did...and he was more involving and engaging. I LIKE Galifianakis...but it simply isn't Oscar-worthy.

By Munkie

You had me until "Robert Downey Jr's overrated performance". Robert Downey Jr never gives an over-rated performance, and even when they nominate him for things, he's under-rated. The man could open a box of peanuts on screen and still somehow make it interesting.

shenanegans.

By Grilt

I look to the SAG awards for an accurate reading on an Actor's success in a role. The Academy Awards has the prestige, but lost a lost of credibility when they starting giving out career culmination awards (Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line). The worst ever was the snub to Johnny Depp in Pirates. Does anyone even remember Sean Penn in the River flick? Captain Jack deserved that Oscar and maybe more.

I don't even think there is a criteria for how or why they vote on an actor. It's through whispers and politics, not talent and audience response. Their desire for shock value takes away from giving the awards to the most deserving nominee.

By Bobby

he's not ... funny

By Clutch Cargo Jr.

The "Hangover" was an unwatchable piece of trash. Oscar my ass.

By stella

I thought The Hanover was the funniest movie I've seen in 5 years. Zack made this movie. Yes, it's stupid humor, but I LMAO through the entire flick!!!

By Kristine

Personally, I want to know why "What Do Tigers Dream Of?" wasn't nominated for Best Original Song...

By hi

I know this blogger didn't say that Downey's 'Tropic Thunder' performance was overrated... some of the jokes concerning his character's role in the film were overrated, but his performance certainly wasn't.

By Layal

to be honest, I thought the 3 main guys in The Hangover should have been nominated especially Zach...that movie was just downright hilarious and Zach was just awesome in it! "NOT UP IN HERE...NOT UP IN HERE!" :)

By theatrex

Whoever was whining about "District 9" being nominated the other day ought to hook up with the author of this article. Since they're both idiots they should hit it off well.

By cindy

Sorry but he really wasn't funny enough to be oscar worthy.

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