Michael Schulman on Oscars History, and a Visit with Annie Composer Charles Strouse
b'Despite years of controversy, the Academy Awards and the other awards shows remain must-watch television for many Americans. The awards may be \\u201cunreliable as a pure measure of cinematic worth,\\u201d Schulman tells David Remnick. \\u201cBut I would argue that the Oscars are sort of a decoder ring for cultural conflict and where the industry is headed,\\u201d Schulman says. \\u201cThey are a way to understand where pop culture is.\\u201d With theatre attendance in continuing decline, the Academy is looking for solutions, Schulman believes, and that could result in a higher-grossing outlier winner for the coveted Best Picture award. Plus, a visit with the Broadway composer Charles Strouse, who is ninety-four and compiling his archives to donate to the Library of Congress. He reflects on his work with Jay-Z and his \\u201cfriendly enemy\\u201d relationship with Stephen Sondheim: \\u201cHe didn\\u2019t like me much. I didn\\u2019t like him less.\\u201d Still nimble at the piano, Strouse plays a rendition of his classic, \\u201cTomorrow.\\u201d'