HERE are some snippets from the Hollywood ceremony:
The Academy’s decision to bring back late-night funnyman Jimmy Kimmel as host was widely seen as the cautious choice of a “safe pair of hands” after last year’s slap-shaped controversy.
Kimmel, who has twice hosted before, delivered a sharp, witty performance, with plenty of political zingers. Kimmel’s attempt to draw Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai into a discussion about a recent internet scandal fell flat, however.
“I only talk about peace,” she deadpanned
Other topics included Fox News’ coverage of the US Capitol riots, which host Tucker Carlson recently tried to downplay, and beleaguered Congressman George Santos, who has been accused of making a litany of improbable boasts and lies.
Introducing the presenter of the award for best film editing, Kimmel quipped: “Editors can turn 44,000 hours of violent insurrection footage into a respectful sight-seeing tour of the Capitol.”
Later, he joked: “Did you know... the last directing team to win an Oscar was Congressman George Santos?”
Top Gun flyover
The Oscars kicked off in unforgettable fashion, as two US Navy fighter jets roared over Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, in a tribute to nominated film Top Gun: Maverick. Residents ran outdoors and took to social media to speculate on what the planes were doing above the Los Angeles skies.
The planes came from a squadron at a nearby California military air base, the Academy later revealed in a statement.
Slap jokes
Kimmel also cracked several jokes about last year’s shocking moment when Will Smith assaulted Chris Rock on stage for cracking a joke about his wife.
“If any of you get mad at a joke and decide you want to get jiggy with it – it’s not going to be easy,” vowed Kimmel, referring to lyrics from one of Smith’s hit songs.
Several movie superheroes were in the audience and could protect him, he said with a staight face.
Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2023
