This year, however, A-list nominees like Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep and Allison Janney have been keeping a low profile, likely afraid journalists will want to chat less about their projects and more about Harvey Weinstein, Woody Allen and Kevin Spacey. Gaudy publicity stunts also could be seen as out-of-touch during a time when women have committed to wearing black dresses on the red carpet in solidarity with sexual harassment and abuse sufferers.

This long, solemn wake is an over-reaction that’s led to boredom and disinterest from the general public who actually pay to watch movies. People still love sex, sizzle and controversy — but the entertainment industry is too afraid to serve it up right now.

It’s hard to believe, but 60 years ago entertainers had more guts. If you want proof, tune into “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” on Amazon, an excellent new show about a fictional woman named Midge — clearly based on Joan Rivers — who starts a risky career as a stand-up comedienne in Greenwich Village in 1958. On stage, Midge makes jokes about her sex life, her Jewish upbringing and even rips off her top, exposing her breasts. As the crowd laps up the routine, the police arrest Midge for breaking obscenity laws.