The Oscars are Hollywood's biggest night and the 87th annual Academy Awards naturally kicked off with host Neil Patrick Harris's routinely big musical number, earning the O on his way to his hosting EGOT (Grammy is left but it's doubtful he'll be able to steal that spot from LL Cool J). It was a rather uneventful night for NPH hosting, a few good jokes and gags here and there- his best being seen when he is off the cuff and reacting to winners speeches and outfits. According to Entertainment Weekly, early numbers suggest that Sunday’s awards averaged a 25.0 household rating in the nation’s biggest markets, according to ABC. That’s down roughly 10 percent from last year’s ceremony hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.
Some of his best jokes of the night:
"Welcome back to the Oscars or as I like to call them, "The Dependent Spirit Awards!"
Introducing Channing Tatum: "And now, an actor who is as appealing playing a male stripper as he is playing a wrestler in a onesie. He's the real deal, pants down. Hands down! Did I say pants? I meant pants."
"Benedict Cumberbatch. It's not only the most awesome name in show business, it's also the sound you get when you ask John Travolta to announced Ben Affleck"
Nevertheless, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu was the big winner of the night with "Birdman" winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Acting nominations followed the other award shows with Eddie Redmayne, Julianne Moore, Patricia Arquette and J.K. Simmons winning best acting awards. "Boyhood" ended up being the biggest loser of the night with director Richard Linklater losing as Best Director after devoting 12 years of work to the film and losing to Birdman for Best Picture after being named a favorite.
Most Memorable Moments of the Night:
- NPH's not so subtle acknowledgement of the ongoing controversy over the Oscar nominees lack of diversity; "Today we honor Hollywood's best and whitest. Sorry, brightest."
- Best seat neighbors were Stedman and The Rock- Oprah's boyfriend Stedman Graham sat between her and The Rock all night. Possible conversations that I imagine: The Rock acts impressed that Stedman can bench 45 lbs; The Rock compliments Stedman on his mustache; and Stedman only realizes during the last award that The Rock is an actor and not Oprah's new bodyguard.
- J.K. Simmons using his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor in "Whiplash" to tell us to call home to our parents. *cue tears*
- Meryl Streep LOVING Patricia Arquette's acceptance speech about equal rights and equal wages for women in America. (Also, awesome seat neighbors- Meryl and J.Lo!)
- Terrance Howard drunkly losing his place on the teleprompter/ awkwardly giving a dramatic pause while introducing clip packages of Best Picture Nominees.
- John Legend and Common (or John Stephens and Lonny Lynn as we learned are their real names) performance of "Glory" from Selma's soundtrack brought everyone to their feet and tears to their eyes.
- NPH's Michael Keaton in "Birdman" spoof left little to the imagination when he strutted out on stage in his tight-whiteys.
- Lady Gaga absolutely blowing everyone away with her medley of The Sound of Music for its 50th Anniversary. I'll never say she gives Julie Andrews a run for her money, but ... WOW WOW WOW.
- John Travolta tried to make up for his "Adele Nazeem" flub last year by presenting with Idina Menzel and awkwardly touched her face while doing so... like NPH said, he'll have to come back next year to apologize for that. Also, he was wearing a choker...
- Beyond touching and important speech from "The Imitation Game" adapted screenplay writer Graham Moore- " I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like they doesn’t fit in anywhere. You do. Stay weird. Stay different, and then when it's your turn and you are standing on this stage please pass the same message along."
-
Kinda,
sorta Definitely inappropriate joke by Sean Penn when presenting the Oscar to Inarritu for Best Picture, saying "Who gave this SOB a green card?" According to HitFix, Inarritu thought the joke was "hilarious." They are old pals, so I'll take his word for it.
- Joan Rivers was snubbed from the Oscar memoriam, while everyone in every interview on the red carpet continued to use her infamous line "Who are you wearing?"
- This gif from Benedict Cumberbatch
See Kalan's article for a full breakdown of the winners of the night!
http://kentuckysportsradio.com/pop-culture/recap-of-the-2015-academy-awards/
The Oscars are Hollywood's biggest night and the 87th annual Academy Awards naturally kicked off with host Neil Patrick Harris's routinely big musical number, earning the O on his way to his hosting EGOT (Grammy is left but it's doubtful he'll be able to steal that spot from LL Cool J). It was a rather uneventful night for NPH hosting, a few good jokes and gags here and there- his best being seen when he is off the cuff and reacting to winners speeches and outfits. According to Entertainment Weekly, early numbers suggest that Sunday’s awards averaged a 25.0 household rating in the nation’s biggest markets, according to ABC. That’s down roughly 10 percent from last year’s ceremony hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.
Some of his best jokes of the night:
"Welcome back to the Oscars or as I like to call them, "The Dependent Spirit Awards!"
Introducing Channing Tatum: "And now, an actor who is as appealing playing a male stripper as he is playing a wrestler in a onesie. He's the real deal, pants down. Hands down! Did I say pants? I meant pants."
"Benedict Cumberbatch. It's not only the most awesome name in show business, it's also the sound you get when you ask John Travolta to announced Ben Affleck"
Nevertheless, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu was the big winner of the night with "Birdman" winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. Acting nominations followed the other award shows with Eddie Redmayne, Julianne Moore, Patricia Arquette and J.K. Simmons winning best acting awards. "Boyhood" ended up being the biggest loser of the night with director Richard Linklater losing as Best Director after devoting 12 years of work to the film and losing to Birdman for Best Picture after being named a favorite.
Most Memorable Moments of the Night:
- NPH's not so subtle acknowledgement of the ongoing controversy over the Oscar nominees lack of diversity; "Today we honor Hollywood's best and whitest. Sorry, brightest."
- Best seat neighbors were Stedman and The Rock- Oprah's boyfriend Stedman Graham sat between her and The Rock all night. Possible conversations that I imagine: The Rock acts impressed that Stedman can bench 45 lbs; The Rock compliments Stedman on his mustache; and Stedman only realizes during the last award that The Rock is an actor and not Oprah's new bodyguard.
- J.K. Simmons using his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor in "Whiplash" to tell us to call home to our parents. *cue tears*
- Meryl Streep LOVING Patricia Arquette's acceptance speech about equal rights and equal wages for women in America. (Also, awesome seat neighbors- Meryl and J.Lo!)
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