Given the fact that you clicked on this, it’s fair to guess you’re sitting idly with nothing to do — and nothing to even read, but for this links post telling you what to read. It’s therefore fair to guess that this interview with someone else who, at one point, sat somewhere, might be appealing, as it’s predominantly about that very act of sitting, in that particular place. To be less opaque, said place is the Oscars, and the interviewee is an elusive creature called a “seat-filler.” Many have heard of the seat-filler — someone hired to take the places of celebrities who’ve gotten up to use the bathroom or prevent themselves from yelling blasphemous remarks at Meryl Streep as she cradles another little trophy, all Smeagol-like — but few have ever captured a “seat-filler” for long enough to prove they’re real. While they are, this interview reveals, just people related to members of the Academy and nothing particularly mystical, the reason they’ve remained a mystery is because they “have to sign extensive non-disclosure agreements that prevent them from speaking about their experience.” Their job, the anonymous interviewee reveals, is to be “as stoic as possible.”
Of course, like the seat fillers, there are plenty of other types of workers in Hollywood who the Oscars refuse to see (though perhaps somewhat less literally). At The Atlantic, Katie Kilkenny writes about how, if the Oscars are going to be so heavily swayed by controversies concerning the historical accuracy of biopics (which is also, it should be mentioned, one of the most thoroughly Oscar-baiting genres), perhaps they should create an award for Best Dramatic Research. Researchers are so immensely crucial to historical films, and since everyone seems to place such weight on meticulous accuracy (over even artistry), it’s strange that the people responsible for fulfilling the criterion aren’t getting acknowledged.
I’d say not to get your knickers in a twist over the Oscars if that didn’t suddenly seem a whole lot harder: The Cut reports that “JNCO jeans are making a big, baggy comeback,” relaunching under new management, with three new lines to show for themselves.
If you need to ponder something more aesthetically appealing to repress this last bit of information, Mad Men is always a good place to start. This week’s edition of Vice’s video series The Real investigates “the real Mad Men,” especially George Lois, who, it claims, has been referred to as an inspiration for Jon Hamm’s Don Draper.
Speaking of AMC prestige dramas centering on men of questionable motives, Breaking Bad has been off the airwaves for more than a year, but that’s not stopping anyone from immortalizing it in FIMO, crayon, felt, or what have you. A Breaking Bad art show in London features superlative fan art, as well as 6 drawings by Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas illustrator Ralph Steadman. Check it out.