Chapter 362: An Incredible Scene

North American cinema needs the Oscars, and Hollywood needs the Oscars. They represent the most glamorous aspect of the industry, attracting attention and creating substantial economic value.

Hollywood and the media industry need such a grand, colorful, star-studded, and lively event to promote their film production and, by extension, American culture. Even if the American public isn't always interested in the films winning Oscars, the big-name stars who appear are enough to stir up a frenzy.

Even if this year's Oscars lacked films with a large audience base, the apparent weakness couldn't be overturned. Nevertheless, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made active efforts to boost the viewership of the Oscars ceremony. They postponed the ceremony date to avoid clashing with the Winter Olympics in February, extended the red carpet ceremony from thirty minutes to one hour, and strictly limited acceptance speeches to 60 seconds...

Moreover, the Academy invited Jon Stewart, the popular host of "The Daily Show," hoping his influence would attract more young viewers to the Oscars.

"The Academy is really going all out for ratings," Murphy remarked as he walked down the glamorous red carpet, waving to fans and reporters while escorting Gal Gadot forward. "If they don't try hard, the Oscars might fall out of the top three in American viewership ratings."

Gal Gadot, however, was more interested in the reactions of the reporters.

From the moment they stepped onto the red carpet, photographers' cameras went wild, incessantly snapping photos of them.

"I chose this sculpting suit for you that not only highlights your tall and strong build," Gal Gadot said with a bit of pride, "but also matches my dress perfectly."

Before coming, Murphy had complained several times that the suit was too tight and uncomfortable.

However, Gal Gadot insisted on her choice, making him wear the dark suit she had carefully selected.

As they walked, she was well aware that due to Murphy's line of work, they couldn't avoid media and reporters. Since they couldn't hide, they might as well present themselves boldly.

Unlike others who lingered, Murphy moved along the red carpet quickly, almost at a normal walking pace. He routinely paused for media photos and to sign autographs for fans, nearly stepping on the heels of Sean Bean ahead of them as they entered the media interview area.

Sean Bean, known affectionately as "Uncle Bean," being on the red carpet was the result of operations by Stanton Studios and 20th Century Fox, having him serve as a presenter at the ceremony primarily to promote the upcoming "Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire."

As Murphy and Gal Gadot passed by an interviewing Sean Bean, they heard him praising "Game of Thrones" to the reporters.

"The investment in 'Game of Thrones' is incredible, and its production is unlike anything I've seen, including the 'Lord of the Rings' series. It's exceptionally well-made. Of course, I'm very proud to be part of it. Whether on the indoor or outdoor sets, the attention to detail, the massive scale, and the pursuit of exquisite craftsmanship impressed me: everything is so meticulous, so grand, and it requires a lot of preparation..."

Just as they walked past Sean Bean, Murphy was also stopped by reporters. These interviews were nothing new, primarily focusing on potential awards. 

Murphy gave routine responses but continually steered the conversation towards "Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire."

"The outcome for 'Gone Girl' at this Oscars ceremony is already sealed; saying more won't change it. Better to look forward and do everything possible to promote 'Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire.'"

After dealing with the reporters, Murphy was about to lead Gal Gadot into the Kodak Theatre when he witnessed an unbelievable scene.

Not far to his left, a man resembling a male reporter was interviewing Scarlett Johansson, who was dressed in a red gown. Due to the distance and the noisy environment, Murphy couldn't hear their conversation but saw the male reporter unexpectedly reach out and pinch Scarlett Johansson's chest a few times. Seemingly shocked by his actions, Scarlett Johansson froze.

Not just Scarlett Johansson, but even Gal Gadot next to Murphy was taken aback.

This was the Oscars red carpet ceremony, broadcast worldwide, where everyone, like her and Murphy, was extremely careful with their etiquette and posture, afraid to make any untimely jokes. But that male reporter...

She couldn't comprehend such behavior.

Especially seeing Scarlett Johansson stunned by the assault, she just shook her head.

"What's wrong?" Murphy noticed her reaction.

"That reporter," Gal Gadot pointed out bluntly, staring in that direction, "is shameless."

Murphy had also seen the scene, "To grab attention."

Dressed in red, Scarlett Johansson was still dazed, seemingly unsure how to react. Although the actress enjoyed fun, she had never experienced such an incident before. If it were five years later, she probably would have slapped the

 reporter twice and kicked him harshly.

Murphy had seen this reporter before and vaguely remembered him as Isaac Mizrahi, a fashion designer, actor, and host who was openly gay in Hollywood.

Murphy knew that this guy was using his openly gay status to create controversies for attention.

Sure enough, Isaac Mizrahi moved away from Scarlett Johansson and approached other popular actresses like Hilary Swank and Jennifer Garner, harassing them to varying degrees.

"That guy is coming over here."

As they prepared to leave the interview area, Gal Gadot gently pinched Murphy's arm and nodded to the right, "It looks like he's heading our way."

Murphy turned to see Isaac Mizrahi, microphone in hand, approaching with a camera operator carrying a camera on his shoulder.

This guy seemed not to notice Murphy at all and walked straight towards Gal Gadot.

Murphy didn't care about others, but he definitely couldn't let this guy harass his girlfriend. He stepped to the right, positioning himself in front of Gal Gadot.

Seeing Murphy's mountain-like figure blocking his target, Isaac Mizrahi instinctively slowed down, his eyes gradually falling on Murphy's face.

Murphy looked at him with a semi-smile, his arms hanging naturally, shaking his wrists as if warming up for a strenuous exercise.

He didn't care whether Isaac Mizrahi was gay or not; that identity meant nothing special in his eyes.

Anyone who thought to use such a method to attract attention on the Oscars red carpet surely wasn't a fool. Seeing Murphy's menacing smile, Isaac Mizrahi immediately remembered that this wasn't just any Hollywood director—rumor had it he had been a formidable figure in prison...

Isaac Mizrahi's mind raced, weighing the pros and cons. Getting beaten up by someone like Murphy-Stanton could indeed generate more attention, seemingly a good publicity stunt...

But just as he thought this, he suddenly remembered something else—Murphy had once caused a British director to suffer brain damage from a beating, leaving him unable to care for himself!

Recalling this, Isaac Mizrahi quickly stopped, turned, and walked away as if Murphy was an ancient monster ready to devour.

"Why did he leave?" Gal Gadot peeked out from behind Murphy, "I was planning to kick him hard."

Murphy shrugged, smugly saying, "He must have been scared off by me."

Gal Gadot rolled her eyes and took his arm, "Let's hurry inside."

Entering the Kodak Theatre, Murphy didn't linger in the bustling lobby but went straight into the theater, quickly finding the "Gone Girl" crew's location. The crew was small, fewer than ten people, mostly sitting in the back, except for the seats for Murphy, James Franco, and Charlize Theron, which were relatively forward.

Before sitting down, a Fox TV executive, whom Kara Faith had personally promoted and was responsible for directing this Oscars broadcast, came over to chat briefly with Murphy.

Despite the Oscars' declining viewership, advertising rates only increased.

This year, each ad during the Oscars broadcast sold for an average of 1.7 million dollars for a 30-second slot, averaging 57,000 dollars per second. Just from advertising, Fox TV could generate over 70 million dollars in revenue.

Of course, whether it was making money from ads or entertaining the public, Hollywood was actually the biggest winner of the Oscars.

As the music suddenly started, the Oscars ceremony was about to begin, and Gal Gadot's hand tightly gripped Murphy's.

As in previous years, before the Oscars ceremony, there was a video introducing the nominated films and the host. This year's Oscars video theme was searching for the awards show host.

"The tent from 'Brokeback Mountain' opened, and Billy Crystal first poked his head out, "I'm not hosting this year, didn't you see I'm busy falling in love?"

Amid laughter in the theater, the camera then pointed at the doorstep of African-American actress Whoopi Goldberg, who regally declared, "Get out! I really don't have time, I'm almost going crazy with housework!"

Finally, the camera fell on a bed, where this year's host Jon Stewart was asleep, awakened by a phone call.

"Oh God, they want me to host the Oscars? Oh, is this a dream? Why do I see Halle Berry lying on the other side?"

At that moment, the sexy Halle Berry was lying next to him, giving him flirty looks, and Stewart quickly said, "Let me close my eyes again."

When he woke up, he found himself next to George Clooney in pajamas, "Go on, get dressed and host the Oscars."

The award ceremony began.

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