Oscars 2012: George Clooney would dig a more diverse academy

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Oscars 2012: George Clooney would dig a more diverse academy

February 26, 2012

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George Clooney was as calm as ever walking down the Academy Awards red carpet Sunday, that same charming smile on his face as per usual.

"This is fun because usually it's people who want to have a good time," he said. "This is sort of the Super Bowl of all of the events."

Clooney, up for the two biggest awards of the night -- actor in a leading role for "The Descendants" and adapted screenplay for "The Ides of March," plus "The Descendants" is up for best picture -- said he had the sense it was "going to be a pretty big French night," referring to "The Artist."

"And I'm all right with it, because I really like the film."

Meanwhile, the actor, who has been an academy member since 2006, said he was hopeful the organization would become more diverse.

"That'd be a good idea, don't ya think?" he joked. "I think it represents almost every -- directors in Hollywood, as well. It represents not just Hollywood. You can look at the Senate and it's roughly the same thing. I don't think to diversify is ever a bad idea."

But how does the group actually make change happen?

"It's a tricky thing. I think you'd have to open it up to more, as opposed to trying to kick people out," he said. "Instead of taking their cards away."