So, it turns out, the Oscars don’t even need a host! After the seemingly endless controversy surrounding Kevin Hart dropping out as host, the Oscars this year moved at a refreshingly brisk pace, with minimal awkward skits and interruptions.
Who knew that the only thing the Oscars, which are constantly being criticised for being stale and out-of-touch, needed to feel relevant again was a break from tradition?
Here are the nine biggest moments from this year’s Oscars.
Amy, Maya and, Tina Made A Case For Hosting Next Year
The lead up to this year’s ceremony were a complete mess. Among the several controversies was the decision to have the Oscars go host-less (for some reason) after Kevin Hart dropped out. So, when Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Tina Fey stepped out to present the first awards it left us aching for what we could have had. Maybe next year?
“Not your #oscars hosts” Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and @MayaRudolph open the show https://t.co/U1WtzAb5a5 pic.twitter.com/6RE3IKRxME
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 25, 2019
Black Panther’s Historic Wins
Early in the night, Black Panther picked up two history-making awards. First, Ruth Carter picked up the award for Best Costumes, the first time a Marvel Studios film to ever win an Oscar. Then, Hannah Beachler (alongside set decorator Jay Hart) won the award for Best Production Design, making both Carter and Beachler the first black woman to win in each of their categories.
Black Panther’s Hannah Beachler is the first black woman to be nominated and the first black woman to win for Best Production Design. #Oscars Via ABC https://t.co/6ZsHfH2BZ0 pic.twitter.com/Q5RRqhzM8e
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 25, 2019
Ruth Carter wins Oscar for Best Costume Design for “Black Panther.”
“Marvel may have created the first black superhero, but through costume design, we turned him into an African king!” #Oscars https://t.co/XQU450bcno pic.twitter.com/LxuEvZ2re7
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 25, 2019
There Were Some Onstage Call-Outs
The first presenters of the night Poehler, Rudolph, and Fey came out swinging, immediately referencing the host-less ceremony as well as the Academy’s much-maligned and quickly abandoned plans to introduce a Popular Film category and air certain awards during commercial breaks. While presenting awards, Tyler Perry also called the Academy out for its commercial break snafu, and Trevor Noah reminded the audience that working actor/director Mel Gibson is still very much a racist.
“Even backstage, Mel Gibson came up to me like, Wakanda Forever. He said another word after that, but the Wakanda part was nice.” – @TrevorNoah #Oscars pic.twitter.com/7Tzc9AZCxs
— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) February 25, 2019
Keegan-Michael Key Was the Mary Poppins Of Our Dreams
He entered from the ceiling with an umbrella to introduce Bette Midler’s performance of a song from Mary Poppins Returns. This is the kind of stunts and drama we expect for a night all about the magic of movies.
keegan-michael key presents: an entrance! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/lwgvdygK3l
— Vulture (@vulture) February 25, 2019
Lady Gaga Brought the House Down
Not gonna lie, we were on the verge of Lady Gaga fatigue this award season. Not only has the pop star been meme-d to death, but her A Star is Born cut Shallow has been pretty much inescapable. But when her and Bradley Cooper performed the song, it reminded us why the song won Best Original Song and, of course, that there can be 100 people in a room…
Olivia Coleman wins Best Actress
The upset of the night. With stacked competition like Glenn Close, who is long overdue for an Oscar, and Lady Gaga, who is an international popstar, Coleman took the award for her high strung take on Queen Anne in The Favourite. She also ended her speech by saying “Lady Gaga!” for no apparent reason. Side note: if you haven’t seen The Favourite yet, it’s amazing and you need to get on that.
Olivia Colman is blown away as she accepts her Best Actress Award for her performance in @the_favourite. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/4oQAUUv19Y
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 25, 2019
Billy Porter Wore This Incredible Tuxedo Dress
Pose actor Billy Porter decided to push the envelope to a new level on the red carpet, by wearing a crazy tuxedo dress designed by Christian Siriano. Safe to say this is an Oscar moment we’ll never forget, incred.
Shutting the carpet down In a Siriano velvet tuxedo gown! #billyporter at the #oscars @theebillyporter pic.twitter.com/7PaSPJkRi2
— Christian Siriano (@CSiriano) February 24, 2019
Spike Lee (Finally) Wins an Oscar
After literal decades in the business, Spike Lee finally won an Oscar. He received an honorary Oscar in 2016, but this is his first for a specific film. It’s about time. He used his acceptance speech to tribute Black History Month and also reminding the audience of the impending 2020 US Presidential election. Also, never one to hide his feelings, Lee also apparently had a less-than-enthusiastic reaction to this year’s controversial Best Picture winner. Speaking of which…
Spike Lee was visibly angry when “Green Book” was announced as the winner of best picture at the Oscars, waving his arms in disgust and appearing to try to storm out of the Dolby Theatre before he was stopped at the doors. He returned to his seat when the speeches were over.
— Andrew Dalton (@andyjamesdalton) February 25, 2019
Green Book Wins Best Picture, and the Internet Hated It
Hated it. If you were paying attention to your social media feeds towards the end of the ceremony, you may have caught on to a wave of collective confusion. The most meh of all this year’s nominees won the night’s biggest award, against much more memorable competition like Black Panther, Black KKKlansman,and Roma. There’s always next year.
my condolences to spike lee for having to lose to driving miss daisy again
— E. Alex Jung (@e_alexjung) February 25, 2019
um so what? #oscars #wut pic.twitter.com/9FoUebVC1h
— Eliza Ward (@elizameiward) February 25, 2019
We might just need Awkwafina to pass us her purse after that.
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Check out a deleted scene from Oscar winner Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Cover image via Twitter @lukeleifeste.
