Award Curse Podcast is a popular podcast that delves into the topic of the curse that seems to befall many recipients of prestigious awards. The podcast explores the notion that winning a major award can sometimes lead to negative consequences in the recipient's personal or professional life. The podcast features in-depth interviews with experts from various fields who have studied or experienced the so-called "award curse." These experts provide insights into the potential reasons behind the curse and offer their opinions on whether it is a real phenomenon or simply a series of coincidences. Listeners of the Award Curse Podcast can expect to hear captivating stories and anecdotes from award winners who have suffered setbacks or experienced unexpected difficulties after receiving accolades. Some of these stories involve celebrities, while others focus on lesser-known individuals in various industries.
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Perhaps part of the problem is that the category rewards numerous women who are older than 40, who are black or ethnic, or who are character actresses, rather than traditional beauties. The Ambies, hosted in its inaugural run by comedian and podcaster Cameron Esposito, aspires to be for podcasts what the Emmys and the Oscars are for TV and movies a recognition of the industry s best by the industry s best and a guide for would-be fans who just want a recommendation for something good.
Some of these stories involve celebrities, while others focus on lesser-known individuals in various industries. The podcast also delves into the psychological impacts that winning an award can have on a person. It explores the pressure to live up to the expectations associated with receiving a prestigious honor and the potential toll it can take on an individual's mental well-being.
What's Behind The Best Supporting Actress Curse? Plain, Old, Unmagical Sexism
As legend has it, women's film careers are "cursed" by winning the best supporting actress Academy Award. (From left) winners Marisa Tomei in 1993, Jennifer Hudson in 2007 and Mira Sorvino in 1996. Barry King/Liaison/Getty Images; Dan MacMedan/WireImage/Getty Images; Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption Barry King/Liaison/Getty Images; Dan MacMedan/WireImage/Getty Images; Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty ImagesAs legend has it, women's film careers are "cursed" by winning the best supporting actress Academy Award. (From left) winners Marisa Tomei in 1993, Jennifer Hudson in 2007 and Mira Sorvino in 1996.
Barry King/Liaison/Getty Images; Dan MacMedan/WireImage/Getty Images; Jeff Haynes/AFP/Getty Images
As if there's not enough controversy over the Oscars, there's also the matter of a curse.
This Hollywood rumor is often said to have started back in 1993, when Marisa Tomei won best supporting actress for My Cousin Vinny. Rather than going on to star in huge movies, as one might expect of a comely and talented Oscar winner, Tomei's film career fizzled. She appeared in small roles, or small films. Even the legitimacy of her win became an urban legend. Thus the curse: Winning best supporting actress is a career killer.
The A-list, movie-star promise that an Academy Award might suggest never materialized with Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite) or Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King), either — even though both are extremely accomplished thespians with impressive resumes. And Jennifer Hudson virtually disappeared from the big screen after Dreamgirls. Amy Nicholson, chief film critic for MTV News, points to Kim Basinger as yet another classic example.
"She won for L.A. Confidential and then she just immediately had no work for three years," she says. "You look at a winner like Brenda Fricker, who won for My Left Foot — the same film that Daniel Day-Lewis won for, which turned him into a huge star. And three years later, you have [Fricker] playing roles like 'Pigeon Lady' in Home Alone 2. And you see that happen to a talented actress and you can't help but wonder — yeah, is there a curse?"
It's a symptom of the fact that there aren't a lot of roles. It's really just a symptom of the movies.
Amy Nicholson, chief film critic for MTV News
To be clear, Nicholson does not believe in this curse. Not at all. Not even remotely. This, she says, is plain, old, unmagical sexism. Basinger was 44 when she won best supporting actress. Perhaps part of the problem is that the category rewards numerous women who are older than 40, who are black or "ethnic," or who are character actresses, rather than traditional beauties.
"It's a symptom of the fact that there aren't a lot of roles," Nicholson says. "It's really just a symptom of the movies, you know?"
Then there's the expectation for Oscar winners to follow up with meaty, meaningful roles. If you're a best supporting actress who doesn't want to play a background wife or mom, that often means having to appear in smaller movies. Show up in a big blockbuster for exposure and to capitalize on your win, and you risk being mocked.
Nicholson says that happened to Angelina Jolie, when she starred in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider after winning best supporting actress for Girl, Interrupted. But Jolie helped prove that the best supporting actress curse is utterly bogus. "Now she's the most reliable female box office draw that we have," Nicholson says.
Curse? What curse? Above, best supporting actress winners Cate Blanchett in 2005, Penélope Cruz in 2009 and Anne Hathaway in 2013. Frank Micelotta/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images hide caption
toggle caption Frank Micelotta/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesCurse? What curse? Above, best supporting actress winners Cate Blanchett in 2005, Penélope Cruz in 2009 and Anne Hathaway in 2013.
Frank Micelotta/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Curse-truthers, look at the spectacular careers of Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Penélope Cruz and Tilda Swinton. Before Swinton's best supporting actress win for Michael Clayton, she flew under the pop culture radar for years. Now Nicholson says, it feels like she's in everything.
There's no talk of a best supporting actor curse, partly because the awards tend to be bestowed on established older stars of the Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin generation, or to sexy foreigners such as Javier Bardem or Christoph Waltz. Meanwhile, Nicholson says, female Oscar winners have to deal not just with one alleged curse, but two.
"Sure, you might win an Oscar for best supporting actress or best actress — but then you're probably going to get divorced," she says, sounding irritated.
This curse was taken seriously enough that researchers at the University of Toronto did the math. They found best actress winners have a 63 percent higher chance of divorce.
Yet another story Hollywood tells us about the perils of women having it all.
One of those nominees, for podcast of the year, is “Say Their Name” from DCP Entertainment, a Black-owned independent production company, which tells the stories of Black people killed by police and fundraising for their families.
In addition to the personal stories and expert interviews, the Award Curse Podcast also analyzes historical cases of award winners who faced negative consequences. It examines patterns and commonalities among these cases and attempts to draw overarching conclusions about the existence and nature of the award curse. Throughout the podcast series, the hosts actively engage with their audience, encouraging listeners to share their own experiences or thoughts on the award curse. This interactive element adds depth and diversity to the discussions and creates a sense of community among avid followers of the podcast. Overall, the Award Curse Podcast offers a thought-provoking exploration of a phenomenon that has long intrigued many. By delving into the stories, research, and analysis surrounding the award curse, this podcast aims to shed light on whether winning a prestigious award is as desirable as it may initially seem..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Secrets to Avoiding the Award Curse for Podcasters"
1. Jane - 1 star
I can honestly say that the "Award curse podcast" is one of the worst podcasts I have ever listened to. The hosts clearly have no idea what they are talking about and their lack of knowledge is evident throughout each episode. The discussions are shallow and there is a constant sense of self-importance that is incredibly off-putting. Save yourself the time and skip this podcast.
2. Mark - 2 stars
I was initially intrigued by the concept behind the "Award curse podcast," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The hosts often go off on tangents and stray away from the main topic, making it difficult to follow the conversation. The sound quality is also subpar, with background noise and poor editing. While there are occasional moments of interesting insight, they are overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution of the podcast.
3. Sarah - 1 star
I tried giving the "Award curse podcast" a chance, but I couldn't get past the pretentiousness that oozes from every episode. The hosts seem more interested in showing off their knowledge and opinions rather than engaging in meaningful discussions. There is also a lack of diversity in the topics covered, making it repetitive and uninteresting after a few episodes. Overall, I was thoroughly disappointed and will not be listening again.
4. Michael - 2 stars
The "Award curse podcast" had the potential to be interesting, but it quickly became evident that the hosts are too biased and opinionated to provide a balanced take on the subjects they discuss. It often feels like they are just trying to push their own agenda rather than offering objective insights. The podcast lacks depth and critical analysis, resulting in superficial and unfulfilling discussions. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking podcast.
5. Emily - 1 star
I had high hopes for the "Award curse podcast" but was left utterly disappointed. The hosts' constant interruptions and overbearing personalities made it difficult to enjoy any episode. The lack of structure and coherent discussions further added to the frustration. It feels like listening to a group of friends trying to out-talk each other rather than a well-thought-out podcast. I was hoping for an engaging and informative experience, but unfortunately, it fell incredibly short.