What Happened at the 1989 Oscars?
Why Are The 1989 Oscars Notorious?
The 1989 Oscars opened with a song and dance number that lasted 11 minutes and featured Merv Griffin, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, Vincent Price, dancing tables and Rob Lowe singing with Snow White. Rob Lowe and Snow White sang a parody and cringe-inducing version of “Proud Mary.” It is generally accepted to be one of the worst Oscar performances (or any showbiz performance) ever. You can watch it here.
Snow White and Merv Griffin at the 1989 Oscars
Where Did the 1989 Oscars Go Wrong?
Producer Allan Carr made a bold, and eventually disastrous, choice to have a helium-voiced Snow White guide the viewer through the 11-minute opening. Her voice was grating; while watching we’re wondering why we care this much about Snow White. They changed the song lyrics to integrate Snow White and she told the audience about her life. Again, why do we care? How did she get so much screen time? Why is this happening at the Oscars?
Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jodie Foster are in the audience, and we’re watching Snow White and people in star (of the five-point variety) costumes? Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O’Neal, Sigourney Weaver put on a pleasant face while Snow White walks through the audience warbling out “We Only Have Stars For You” (to the tune of “I Only Have Eyes For You”). Tom Hanks looks down in embarrassment when Snow White walks past him.
Snow White mingles with the audience including Tom Hanks.
After Snow White wraps up the horrendous tune, the stage is turned into the Cocoanut Grove and Merv Griffin introduces us to stars of the past like dancer Cyd Charisse and her husband actor Tony Martin, as well as Alice Faye (who happens to be the ex-wife of Tony Martin, scandalous!), married couple Vincent Price and Coral Browne, Dorothy Lamour, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. 68 year old Charisse proves she’s still got it as she dances with one of the waiters (oh, did I not mention the dancing waiters?). Great performance by Charisse, but where is this routine going? Enter Rob Lowe.
What Did Rob Lowe Do at the Oscars?
Halfway through the opening number at the 1989 Oscars, just after the nod to the stars of yesteryear, Rob Lowe is introduced by Griffin as Snow White’s blind date. Lowe joins Snow White in the whose-idea-was-this song “Keep the Cameras Rolling” (to the tune of Proud Mary). Rob Lowe is a singer, you ask. No, no he is not.
After the way too long song is over the camera pans past a cheerful Cybil Shepherd, Bob Hope talking to his seat mate and a not-too-thrilled Robert Downey Jr seated next to Sarah Jessica Parker. Oh, but there’s more! 4 more minutes, to be exact. Snow White sings about Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Her and Lowe open doors which reveal a chorus line of ushers. The crowd applauds. Back in the ‘80s dancers kicking in a straight line seemed like a big deal. Or maybe the audience felt it signaled that an end to the performance was near. The ushers break into a version of “Hooray For Hollywood.” Finally Lily Tomlin shows up not singing and dancing and relieves us from whatever that was we just watched.
Who Played Snow White at the 1989 Oscars?
Eileen Bowman was 22 years old when she played Snow White at the 61st Academy Awards. She signed an NDA, so she couldn’t talk about the infamous night for years. When she eventually could discuss the Oscars, she chatted with The Hollywood Reporter but was light on details such as how she was discovered for this role (they just found her) or much else about the evening. She told The Hollywood Reporter the producers wanted her to go to an after party dressed as Snow White, she refused. She then went home to San Diego. That was pretty much the last time she was heard from in Hollywood. She is still an actress in local theater.
Adding to the list of problems for the Academy after the 1989 Oscars, Disney sued claiming copyright issues with the characther Snow White (the Oscar people didn’t know this would be a problem?). After an apology by the Academy, Disney dropped the suit. Not directly related but worth noting, seven years later Disney bought ABC, the network which airs the Oscars.
Who Was Responsible For the 1989 Oscars?
In 1989 Allan Carr was an established producer with films like the ‘80s Girls favorite Grease and it’s cheesy-but-we-love-it-also sequel Grease 2 on his resume. Allegedly he was chosen by the Academy to produce the 1989 Oscars based on his reputation for lavish parties. The Academy felt like the past Oscars were boring and wanted something jazzier. Well, they definitely got a show that people remember. After the Oscars, several members of the Academy signed a letter saying a show like that can never happen again. Carr’s Hollywood career never recovered.