"Man or Muppet" Jason Segel and Walter

As the Oscar for Best Original Song fades ever further into oblivion, "Man or Muppet" from November's The Muppets tonight became the struggling category's latest winner. This year seemed to sound a bit of a death knell for the once-prestigious award—only two nominees, with zero performance slots during the telecast—and this humorous power ballad is, unfortunately, not the savior that it needs. Written by Bret Mackenzie, of the New Zealand comedy rock duo Flight of the Conchords, "Man" is meant to be a comically poignant examination of self-identity. But with Jason Segel's strained vocals and lyrics that are almost Dr. Seuss-ian in their repetitive simplicity, it comes across as more silly-sweet and kind of slight. It's not a bad song, but if this is really the best of what movies had to offer in 2011, then we need some pop stars back in the soundtrack game stat! B