Ken Tucker reviews rock, country, hip-hop and pop music for Fresh Air. He is a cultural critic who has been the editor-at-large at Entertainment Weekly, and a film critic for New York Magazine. His work has won two National Magazine Awards and two ASCAP-Deems Taylor Awards. He has written book reviews for The New York Times Book Review and other publications.
There are two clear frontrunners in this year's best original song race, either of which would be a worthy Oscar winner. Diane Warren is also nominated, for the 17th time.
You're inviting folks over to watch the Oscars, but you want to serve them a bill-of-fare that reflects this year's idiosyncratic slate of best picture nominees. We can help with that.