'Man
or Muppet' wins Academy Award for original song
The
Muppets have never won an Oscar until 'Man or Muppet' brought
one home for Kermit and friends
Courtesy
of The LA Times, 24 Frames
February
26,
2012 “Man
or Muppet,” penned by Bret McKenzie, took the Oscar
for original song, besting the only other nominated work
in the category, “Real in Rio.” The winning song,
from Walt Disney Pictures’ “The Muppets,” the
first film featuring the iconic Jim Henson characters in
more than a decade, was sung largely by Jason Segel and Peter
Linz, who voiced the Muppet Walter.
“Man or Muppet” was one of three songs from “The
Muppets” that were on the original shortlist for Oscar
song contention. The song is one of the more sincere pieces
of music in “The Muppets,” with Walter and Segel’s
Gary caught in an identity crisis. Songwriter McKenzie is best-known
for his work on “Flight of the Conchords.” “Real in Rio,” from animated film “Rio,” was
composed by Brazilian musicians Sérgio Mendes and Carlinhos
Brown, with lyrics penned by pop songwriter Siedah Garrett.
It was one of three songs from the 20th Century Fox film on
the original shortlist for Oscar song contention, and is repeated
at multiple parts in the film.
A
total of 39 songs were on the shortlist for Oscar consideration,
including works from the Bollywood film “DAM999” and
biopic “Machine Gun Preacher.” Clips of all 39
songs were screened to voting members of the academy’s
music branch, and nominees were determined by an averaged point
system of voting.
If no song receives an average score of 8.25 or higher, there
are no nominees. If only one song achieves that score, it and
the song receiving the next highest score are the two nominees.
If two or more songs (up to five) achieve that score, they
are the nominees.
Last year,
four songs were nominated, and the winning track was Randy
Newman’s “We Belong Together” from “Toy
Story 3.” The nomination process for original song has
been a matter of debate since the 2008 awards, when three songs
from “Enchanted” were nominated. Likewise, three
songs from “Dreamgirls” were nominated at the awards
that aired in 2007.
A rule change was instituted for the 2009 ceremony, stating
that a maximum of two songs may be nominated from any film.
If more than two songs from a movie achieve a score of 8.25
or more, the two with the highest scores are the nominees.
To be eligible, a song must consist of words and music, both
of which are original and written specifically for the film.
A clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition of both
lyric and melody must be used in the body of the film or as
the first music cue in the end credits.
Miss
Piggy is wearing a dress by Zac Posen, jewelry from Fred
Leighton, shoes by Christian Louboutin, handbag from and
hair styled by Kim Kimble. Kermit is wearing a tux from Brooks
Brothers
For more on Miss Piggy's jewels: 1940s amethyst and diamond ring in gold (70.0 carats) --lavender
is her signature color after all
1950s diamond and platinum swirl necklace (55 carats) with
matching swirl bracelet (40 carats)
Celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble (Beyonce, Shakira, Kerry
Washington) put the finishing touches on Miss Piggy by adding
a diamond
and platinum headband (approx. 10 carats) and 1040s clip
in the back.
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