The 88th Oscars telecast, which opened with a montage of films released in 2015 delivered several humorous moments.
Stand-up comic and filmmaker Chris Rock, who previously hosted the Academy Awards in 2005, kept the humor flowing throughout the telecast immediately kicking off the proceedings with jabs on diversity.
“Well, I’m here at the Academy Awards, also known as the White People’s Choice Awards,” he stated much to a plethora of laughs. The comedian then proceeded to talk about Jada Pinkett Smith’s decision to boycott the Oscars.
“Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited,” he added. “It’s not about boycotting anything. We just want opportunities. Black actors want the same opportunities,” he added.
Rock, who also addressed the #OscarSoWhite controversy, took shots at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (A.M.P.A.S.) and Hollywood’s diversity crisis in his monologue.
“This is the wildest and craziest Oscars I have ever hosted. If they nominated the host, I won’t even get this job!” he quipped. As the camera panned to several actors in the room who included fellow comedian Kevin Hart, he continued saying that he thought about quitting his hosting duties, but said he didn’t want to loose another job to Kevin Hart.
“Why are we protesting this Oscars?” he asked in reference to the backlash that followed after black actors failed to earn a nomination in the acting category this year. “It’s the 88th Academy awards which means this has happened 71 other times. “If you want black nominees you need to have black categories like best black friend category.”
Several celebrities who were asked about Rock’s monologue thought he delivered the humor including Alicia Vikander, who won best actress in a supporting role for film “The Danish Girl.” She shared her thoughts on the Oscar host’s humor backstage.
“I thought he was great. I just admired him. I admire him as a big comedian, and I’m so happy that he came in tonight and just brought up both a lot of laughs and brought a lot of reality issues in the same way and I’m very happy that he is our host tonight,” said Vikander.
Last year, results from Nielsen for ABC’s telecast of the Oscars averaged 36.6 million viewers and the total-viewer count was the event’s lowest in six years. With Rock’s hilarious hosting and the brouhaha on diversity, these numbers, which are yet to be released are likely to be higher this year.
Known internationally for his groundbreaking stand-up comedy, Rock has won four Emmy Awards for his comedy series and specials and has enjoyed ongoing success in both film and television as a comedian, actor, writer, producer and director.
Complete List of Oscar Winners 2016
BEST PICTURE
Spotlight
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Brie Larson, Room
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Inside Out
CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Revenant
COSTUME DESIGN
Mad Max: Fury Road
DIRECTING
The Revenant
DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)
Amy
DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)
A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
FILM EDITING
Mad Max: Fury Road
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Son of Saul
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
Mad Max: Fury Road
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
The Hateful Eight
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
“Writing’s On The Wall,” Spectre
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Mad Max: Fury Road
SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
Bear Story
SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
Stutterer
SOUND EDITING
Mad Max: Fury Road
SOUND MIXING
Mad Max: Fury Road
VISUAL EFFECTS
Ex Machina
WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
The Big Short
WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
Spotlight
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