It was academic

Back from the strike, a less political (than usual) and more patriotic Oscars | Megan Basham

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Thanks most likely to the settling of the writers' strike and their collective relief that there was a show to attend at all, Hollywood turned over a new leaf at this year's Oscar ceremony. After several seasons of overtly politicized shows, culminating in 2007 with Al Gore receiving program time to sermonize about the perils of human-induced global warming, the Academy backed off of anything that could be considered divisive.

The only controversial—or even vaguely political—comments of the night came from two relatively unknown winners in two relatively small categories. Even the famously partisan Jon Stewart's gibes were aimed more at the group-think of the crowd before him than at anyone in Washington. (Discussing the presidential election with mock gravity, he said to the gathering of writers, actors, and directors, "I hope you've all evaluated the candidates, examined their positions, and decided which Democrat you're voting for.")