One of the surprises of Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards was the winner of Best Song.
Almost everyone assumed that Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For,” from “Barbie” would be the winner. Billie and brother Finneas showed up, were very enthusiastic, and also felt like they were on the fast track.
But the winner was “I’m Just Ken,” written and produced by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. But it’s also performed in the Greta Gerwig film by star Ryan Gosling.
At the dinner before the show started, I asked Ryan if he would take the Oscars stage if he and the song were nominated. You see, at the Oscars, only two songs from one movie can be nominated. A third “Barbie” song, by Dua Lipa, is the dark horse.
Gosling seemed skeptical until I reminded him that novelty songs sometimes make the cut. One example is “Blame Canada,” from the movie “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut.” It was a big on the 1999 Oscars performed by Robin Williams, although lost to the Phil Collins song from “Tarzan.”
Ryan wouldn’t tell me if the Oscar producers had already asked him to perform “I’m Just Ken.” He’s waiting for Academy Award nominations next week. But he didn’t say no. He fully expected Eilish to win the CCA.
When “I’m Just Ken” did win on Sunday, I went by his table and said, “I told you so!” He shook his head and pointed back to me: “You did!”
My guess is, we’ll be seeing Ryan Gosling return to his musical roots — Mickey Mouse Club, “La La Land” — on March 10th at the Dolby Theater.
