The first actor who refused to accept his OSCAR for Best Actor was George C. Scott, for the motion picture, "Patton". He said that the politics surrounding such awards was "demeaning" and described the Oscar ceremony as "a two-hour meat parade".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/obituaries/455563.stm

His response to his Nomination was widely reported prior to the ceremony, which explains why they were prepared, as well as Goldie Hawn's reaction.



Two years later, Marlon Brando refused the offer, however, there was no announcement prior to the ceremony. Everyone was surprised.

Fortunately, no one believes in anything (except money) anymore.

Looking at those videos and remembering the way they were, it seems The OSCARS put on a spit and polish in years when there are a quantity of high-quality, high-profile films of artistic and popular merit. The ceremony seems to take a low-rent approach in years of famine.
Else, they just don't take the effort anymore, apart from set pieces and production numbers.

I used to love watching the Oscar show. Now, I can hardly be bothered to skim through it on my tivo because all the spontaneity has been sucked out of it. I blame two things: the Oscars are pretty much bought and paid for (moreso than ever) and the damnable quest to keep it on time has eliminated the one really revealing aspect of the show: the speeches. Sure they were previously rambling and often boring, but if you listened closely, the finest little tidbits of goodness were all hidden in there.

Not seen that Brando clip before. Awesome stuff. Wish stuff like that happened these days.