And this year’s Oscar goes to . . .

                The 84th Academy Awards ceremony aired Sunday night, and while many viewers tuned in simply to see which starlet wore a certain designer’s dress and was draped in diamonds worth the national debt, others watched with great anticipation, celebrating the year’s best offerings from the cinema.

                Then, there are those who don’t watch the Awards. At all. (More than likely, these are the same individuals who refuse to fork over a Hamilton – and I’m not talking George – for a movie ticket or another twelve bucks for the buttery tub o’ popcorn and diet Coke.)

                As I watched snippets of Sunday’s broadcast, I wondered how many Oscar statuettes have been awarded to actors, directors, writers, editors, and musicians with Nebraska ties. Off the top of my head, a few winners came to mind. I was surprised to discover 22 individuals from our state have been nominated by their peers since the awards began in 1927.

                In all, Nebraska natives or residents have been nominated 55 times for their talents on stage or behind the scenes. Of those nominations, 21 have been named the best of the best.

                Five honorary awards have been given to Nebraskans.

                Count the two movies that won Best Picture– “Boy’s Town” in 1938 and “Terms of Endearment” in 1984 – associated with Nebraska, the total of statutes with Nebraska implications equals 28.

                Henry Fonda, born in Grand Island, was nominated for and won three Oscars. In 1941, he won Best Actor for his performance in “The Grapes of Wrath.” He was part of the cast comprising 1958’s Best Picture, “12 Angry Men.” In 1981, Fonda struck gold again in “On Golden Pond.”

                Lincoln-born Hilary Swank earned two Best Actress Oscars. Her portrayal of Teena Brandon in 2000’s “Boys Don’t Cry” told the story of the brutal rape and murder of a cross-dressing teen in Falls City, Nebraska. In 2005, her depiction of a struggling-waitress-turns-boxer in “Million Dollar Baby” was golden.

                Omaha’s Marlon Brando was nominated eight times and won twice, for “The Godfather” and “On the Waterfront.”

                What about the behind-the-scenes folk?  

                A short story by author Bess Streeter Aldrich of Elmwood won the 1942 Oscar for Best Scoring of a Dramatic Picture.

                A short documentary, “Quicker ‘N a Wink,” explained stroboscopic photography, a slow motion technique developed by Harold E. Edgerton of Aurora and won Best Short Film in 1940.

                Mike Hill of Omaha is one of Hollywood’s top film editors. He has four nominations and won Best Film Editing for Apollo 13.

                Even a Northeast Nebraska native has brought home Oscar. In 1938, the song “Sweet Leilani” from the movie “Waikiki Wedding” won Best Music, Original Song. The writer: Harry Owens of O’Neill.

                Don’t forget Alexander Payne, who has won two Best Adapted Screenplay Oscars in the past seven years.

                Plus, Johnny Carson hosted a handful of Oscar ceremonies.

                While everyone may not enjoy watching yet another award ceremony, we Nebraskans can be proud of the cinematic contributions made by our state’s award winners.

Perhaps Carnac the Magnificent would have predicted the growing success of one of Northeast Nebraska’s hottest summer treasures.

Some of you – if over age 25 – may remember the mystic of the East portrayed by Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Sidekick Ed McMahon would assure the audience that the envelopes had been enclosed in a mayo jar that had been under Funk and Wagnall’s porch since noon, and absolutely no one knew the contents of the hermetically-sealed packets.

Then Johnny – or Carnac – placed the envelope against his beaded red turban, announced the answer to the impending question, ripped open the envelope, and produced the punch line.

For the fourth year, Carnac’s favored spot in June undoubtedly would be center stage at the Johnny Carson Theater, as Norfolk hosts the Great American Comedy Festival. The festival began as a tribute to hometown hero Carson and his legacy to the comedy world.

Called the King of Late Night, Carson played an instrumental role in the career paths for multiple comedians. This year’s headliner, Louie Anderson, got his big break after appearing on The Tonight Show. While performing his set, Anderson listened for Johnny’s laughter and for him to hit the desk.

Other past festival performers have mentioned another sign of comedic success: being invited to sit in the chair next to Johnny’s famous desk and chat with Carson.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend one of the myriad shows available, pencil it in on your calendar. Shows begin next Wednesday, June 15!

Amateur competition heats up Wednesday evening with the winner determined by audience vote.

On Thursday and Friday, 20 professionals vie for a chance to compete in Saturday’s Gala showcase, featuring Anderson and this year’s Johnny Carson Legend Award winner, Cloris Leachman.

On Sunday, the Skit Guys entertain at the family show. The duo combines humor and faith for hilarious results.

If you’re looking for something a little more risqué, check out the late-night sets on Thursday and Friday. The professionals will share different sets with content for a mature audience.

I’ve been fortunate to be a part of the festival’s planning committee and director of the youth camp since its inception. The youth camp remains one of the festival’s quiet commodities and proves anyone can tickle someone’s funny bone. Instructors come from top comedy institutions: The Second City and the San Francisco Comedy College.

Here, students learn more than the art of a joke or the timing for a Saturday Night Live-style skit.  As an observer, I see confidence take root, break through the underlying barrier of shyness and self-doubt, and form into a confident individual who realizes it is okay to laugh and poke fun at your own mishaps.

That’s one of the beauties of humor.

Carson once said, “Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: “Are you ready?”

Placing envelope to the forehead, Carnac’s answer for the participating comedians: Yes.

Great! I posted all the 2010 Nebraska-isms. And, I finished this little project four days ahead of schedule!   Now, I’ll be able to add the new column on a weekly basis.

Not sure what a Nebraska-ism is? It’s a unique look at the Cornhusker state and what sets the landscape and people apart. Column topics include:

• The Lure of Friday Night Lights – High School Football
• Autumn in Nebraska
• Husker Football Fans
• The Kitchen-Family Connection
• Farm Safety
• Clotheslines
• Nebraska Literary Scene
• Popcorn
• FFA Emblem: Drawn in Nebraska
• WWI, Draft Cards, and Grandpa
• Hunting Widows
• Drama of One-Act
• Fruitcake
• Poinsettias
• Christmas Traditions
• Ice Fishing
• Symbolism of a State’s Culture
• I’m a 30.
• The Late Night TV Dilemma:  What Would Johnny Think?
• Press Trips – Marketing Nebraska
• Unique Libraries
• Valentine’s Traditions from Nebraska
• Going for Olympic Gold:  Nebraska Olympians
• Sandhill Cranes
• Happy Birthday, Nebraska!
• 4N6: What I Learned Competing in High School Speech and Coaching HS Forensics
• Nebraska’s Irish Roots
• Nebraska Tall Tales & Legends
• Husker Women’s Basketball

Interested in reading one of these weekly columns? All columns are included as PDF files on the Nebraska-isms page .