Peter Gabriel has opted out of singing his Oscar nominated song Down to Earth from Wall-E because they are only giving him 65 seconds to perform according to Nikki Finke.
Gabriel said in his letter that he was only being offered 65 seconds for his song. “I don’t feel that is sufficient time to do the song justice, and I have decided to withdraw from performing,” Gabriel informed AMPAS. “I fully respect and look forward to the producers’ right to revamp the show. Even though song writers are small players in the filmmmaking process, they are just as committed and work just as hard as the rest of the team, and I regret that this new version of the ceremony is being created in part at their expense.” I’m told that the medley is the brainchild of the producers in their attempt to get the Oscar show’s running time down to 3 hours — which, frankly, would be a miracle given that it usually runs more than 4 hours.
Out of all the things to cut time out of at the Oscars, Best Song is not the thing to cut. How about cutting out those stupid boring montages honoring movies from the past that seem out of place? Or don’t show the trailers for the nominated movies that most of the people watching have not and will not see? There only 3 things that should remain as is time wise are the Best Song, In Memorian and the Opening Monologue…if it is a funny one!
But back to Gabriel, I really hope the Oscars get Robin Williams to perform the song! He was great the last time he had to fill-in and sing a song!
