People: Lack of diversity again bemoaned in Oscar slate

A year after host Neil Patrick Harris quipped that the Oscars were honoring Hollywood’s “best and whitest,” the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled yet another all-white slate of acting nominees Thursday, prompting a dismayed revival of the “OscarsSoWhite” hashtag.

Many also expressed regret that the highly admired N.W.A biopic “Straight Outta Compton” failed to score a best picture nod, despite being recognized in other contests. In acting categories, omissions included Idris Elba in “Beasts of No Nation” and Will Smith in “Concussion.”

Those voicing disappointment included the academy’s president herself, Cheryl Boone Isaacs.

“I really was disappointed,” Isaacs told the Associated Press when asked about “Compton,” which did receive a screenplay nomination (for, some noted on Twitter, its white screenwriters, not its black cast or director). “Fabulous movie, fabulous movie.”

But Isaacs, who is black, added the Oscar nominations are part of a much broader conversation in the entertainment industry about diversity – and that change would happen, albeit slowly.

“What is important is that this entire conversation of diversity is here and we are talking about it,” Isaacs said. “And I think we will not just talk, because people will say, ‘Well don’t just talk, you gotta do,’ (but) talking gets to the doing, and we are going to do. … It is an industry-wide situation and we need to continue this conversation. We need to bring in new talent, to nourish the talent, to allow it to flourish and to give us all the diversity of storytelling which is what the motion picture business is all about.”

There was widespread surprise that the lack of diversity persisted despite the marked backlash a year ago when – like this year – all acting nominees were white and there was only one director of color, eventual winner Alejandro Inarritu (also nominated Thursday, for “The Revenant”). The most notable omissions involved the lauded civil rights drama “Selma”; both its director, Ava DuVernay, and its star, David Oyelowo, were passed over.

“It’s business as usual at the academy,” said Gil Robertson, president of the African-American Film Critics Association, on Thursday. “We’ll have to try again. After the whole debacle with ‘Selma’ and Ava DuVernay, you would have thought some lessons would have been learned. Nothing for Will Smith. Nothing for Idris Elba. Irony of ironies, the only actor who received a nomination for ‘Creed’ is white.” (He was referring to Sylvester Stallone, who got a supporting actor nod for reprising his role as Rocky Balboa. Co-star Michael B. Jordan was not nominated, nor was director Ryan Coogler.)

Film producer and director Reginald Hudlin, who is co-producer of this year’s Oscar telecast, called the situation “frustrating.”

“Maybe if there’s 50 great films by black filmmakers, they will get three nominations,” said Hudlin, who produced “Django Unchained.”

“And again, that’s not putting down the movies that are nominated, they’re wonderful,” said Hudlin. “It’s just a frustrating thing that the voting doesn’t reflect what America is saying very loud and clear, what the world is saying very loud and clear.”

Many tweeted their disapproval Thursday.

“I love (at)TheSlyStallone,” wrote indie director Joe Carnahan, “but Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson & Ryan Coogler don’t get noms for CREED!? Come on Academy.”

“Zero nonwhite actors have been nominated for Oscars,” tweeted the Tribeca Film Festival. “There’s no excuse.”

“Compton” did receive a screenwriting nod, and one of its writers said she sees hope for change on the diversity issue in Hollywood. “I was actually at a town hall meeting on diversity last night, and I think it’s an exciting time to be having this conversation in Hollywood,” said writer Andrea Berloff. “It is not being ignored, and there’s a lot of us working at a more grassroots level to try to turn the tides.”

Berloff added there was a key positive note for women in the nominations list: four women nominated for their screenplays this year.

“That’s a huge success,” Berloff said, “and I hope we can really take the time to celebrate. It’s a huge victory.”

Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys arrested in Key West

Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter has been arrested in Florida after a fight outside a bar.

Carter, 35, made his initial court appearance Thursday and was released from the Monroe County jail several hours later on $1,500 bail. He faces a misdemeanor battery charge.

According to a Key West Police report, Carter was intoxicated when officers arrived Wednesday evening at the Hog’s Breath Saloon.

The report says a bartender refused to serve Carter and Michael Rae Papayans of Palos Verdes Estates, California, who became agitated and aggressive. The bar’s staff repeatedly told both men to leave.

According to the report, once outside, Papayans head-butted one employee and Carter then grabbed a bouncer by the throat.

Papayans, 27, also was held on a misdemeanor battery charge. Jail records don’t show whether either man has an attorney to comment on the case.

‘Power Rangers’ actor arrested in stabbing death last year

A former “Power Rangers” actor has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his roommate to death with a sword at their Southern California home.

Thirty-six-year-old Ricardo Medina was arrested Thursday on a charge of murder. He’s jailed on $1 million bail.

Medina allegedly stabbed Joshua Sutter several times in the abdomen on Jan. 31 of last year at their house in Green Valley, a mountain town north of Los Angeles.

City News Service said the two were arguing over Medina’s girlfriend.

Authorities say after the attack, Medina called 911 and waited for police to arrive.

Medina played the Red Lion Wild Force Ranger on “Power Rangers Wild Force” in 2002. He was the voice of Deker on “Power Rangers Samurai” in 2011 and 2012.

Gar Lester, Medina’s longtime agent, described him to the Los Angeles Times as a “trusted friend” who had never exhibited a violent streak.