HUNTSVILLE — The Oscars are, for me, the biggest television event of the year. Bigger than the Super Bowl, bigger than the NBA finals, bigger even than the season finale of whatever show I’m obsessed with at any particular moment.

I love it because of the glory it gives to the flicks that give me so much joy, but I also, of course, love it because I get a chance to complain when the flicks that gave me very little joy get the glory.

I’m guessing most of you watched it yourself, so I’m not about to start giving some kind of massive recap, but what I will do is give you a few of my own insights into the best and worst of the 82nd Academy Awards.

Low: Sorry to start off on a bad note, but all the potential of dual hosts Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin was squandered within the first 10 minutes. We all know that teleprompter gags are tough to pull off anyway, but this just flat out wasn’t funny. There were awkward pauses, timing issues, and jokes that were simply…terrible. I haven’t seen a pair of guys die like that since…well, I’ve never seen a pair of guys die like that.

High: A great lead-in award for Christoph Waltz, who took Best Supporting Actor for his terrifying portrayal of an SS officer in “Inglourious Basterds.” It was also one of the best acceptance speeches of the evening.

Low: The “tribute” to horror films. First of all, they led in with Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart, who have no business being at the Oscars.

Secondly, they put a bunch of films up that aren’t horror films. “Jaws,” for all its brilliance, is a thriller, not a horror film. And yes, there is a difference.

Thirdly, it felt like pandering, and much as I love a scary flick, I also don’t like pandering of any sort (unless you pander to me and me alone, of course).

High: Mo’Nique’s win for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Precious.” Not only did she deserve, but she gave her speech from outside of the Hollywood mentality, lending a sincerity to her graciousness that you honestly don’t see very much.

Low: That weird wall of lamps that kept coming in behind the presenters. Who thought that was a good idea?

High: “The Hurt Locker” taking a large percentage of the technical awards away from “Avatar.” Money and technology doesn’t mean greatness, folks; greatness is the skill you apply with the tools you have.

Low: Leaving Farrah Fawcett out of the “In Memoriam” segment. For shame!

High: Jeff Bridges winning the Oscar, on his fifth try, for Best Actor in “Crazy Heart.” His acceptance speech was wonderfully reminiscent of his performance as The Dude in “The Big Lebowski,” which made the moment both surreal and delightful. One of our great American actors finally got his due.

Low: “Avatar” taking Best Cinematography honors. You shouldn’t be allowed to throw people up on a green screen and win awards for drawing in stuff around them and then moving the camera any way you want. I call cinematic cheating, and move the award be given to “Inglourious Basterds” instead.

High: Sandra Bullocks’ acceptance speech. She was not my choice for the award, but she won with grace, and her heartfelt thanks to parents was worth it.

Low: The ego-stroking that came before the acting awards. Didn’t like it last year, still don’t.

High: Kathryn Bigelow becoming the first woman ever to win the Best Director Oscar, for her awesome “The Hurt Locker.” As Barbara Streisand said just before handing out the award: “…the time has come.”

High: “The Hurt Locker” beating box office giant “Avatar” to take Best Picture of 2009 honors. You might notice that I ended my little spiel with three highs, and that’s because for all its flaws, the night ended very, very well. If you read my previous Oscar picks, you know I went four for five with my choices, but more importantly I really feel like for the most part the right people won. It was a good year, because generally when you watch the Oscars you have to hope that the people who deserve it won’t lose to the people who spent the most money.

This time, that didn’t happen, and we can celebrate. See you next year.