Dylan may beam into Oscars
By Edna Gundersen
usatoday.com:80/usatonline/20010305/3111245s.htm
Ending weeks of speculation and misinformation about his appearance on the
Academy Awards telecast, first-time nominee Bob Dylan told USA TODAY
on Sunday that he hopes to be there virtually, if not physically.
Dylan's wry and bittersweet Things Have Changed, from Curtis Hanson's
Wonder Boys, got a best-song nod last month, prompting Oscars producer
Gil Cates to invite Dylan to perform the song on the show. Cates was
informed promptly of a scheduling conflict involving overseas concerts
promoted months ago. Though nothing further was discussed, some media
reports have confirmed Dylan's appearance.
''It's quite an honor to be nominated,'' Dylan said in a statement, ''and if
circumstances permitted, I'd no doubt be there. We'll be touring in Australia
at that time, however, and it would mean canceling shows that had been
planned a while ago. So, while it's impossible for me to appear on the
Academy Awards in person, I'd be thrilled to perform live via satellite if that
could be arranged. That way, I wouldn't be disappointing my fans in Australia,
and I'd still be able to accept the Academy's gracious offer. I really hope it all
works out.''
Dylan performs in Sydney on March 25, day of the Oscars. An 18-hour time
lag would allow him to sing live for the L.A. broadcast without disrupting the
tour. |
