(I literally laughed out loud when I read the nominees) by selecting a pathetic two songs from 39 eligible options. They're not even going to perform the songs on the show, as that would only compound the embarrassment.
The problem, as most perceive it, is the arcane grading system whereby eligible songs are screened and given a score between six and ten by each member. Only songs that achieve a minimum average score can qualify for the nomination. What this system does is effectively allow members to kibosh any song they don't wanna see nominated. Some people believe the real malady is in the screening procedure which shows an obvious bias against end credit tracks, but I think this year's fiasco has proved that that's only the tip of the iceberg; When friggin' "Star Spangled Man" – a song used in the body of the film to advance the narrative of the movie – can't get nominated, your system is broken. Fix it.
And the embarrassment doesn't stop at which songs were left out, but continues at which songs were included. Everyone assumed that The Muppets, being the only original musical of the year, should have little trouble earning a nod for songwriter Bret Mackenzie (of Flight of the Concords). The question was which song(s)? After most pundits had decided on either "Life's a Happy Song" and/or "Pictures in My Head", both of which keep very much to the spirit of the Muppets, the music branch opted for the loopy "Man or Muppet", which is funny enough in the film, but doesn't have nearly the bliss nor staying power of the other two contenders.
And the fun doesn't stop there! The second nominee is from the annoying-as-f*** kid flick Rio, and it's called "Real in Rio". Most people couldn't even remember which song from the film this was (how's that for forgettability!). Turns out it's the briefly used opening number that plays for barely a minute on screen, before having an even shorter reprise at the very end. I chalk the nomination up to the song's exotic tang. Tune's with foreign flavour have had a strong showing in this category in recent years, but given that people can barely remember the film, let alone the song, it seems only natural that voters will go for The Muppets.
Will win: "Man or Muppet", The Muppets
Runner-up: "Real in Rio", Rio
Should win: "Man or Muppet", The Muppets
Should've been nominated: "Hell and Back", Hell and Back Again
(or anything good)
