In a year of controversy and a self-proclaimed atypical Oscars, co-host Wanda Sykes promised Thursday there would be some bumps at Sunday’s ceremony, but no one will be hurt.
“We’re trying to stay consistent with the themes,” the The Good Fight alumnus said of the film’s unifying power at a virtual press conference for the 94th Academy Awards today. “We’re not going to trash anyone – satire but not mean,” Sykes added.
Sykes was never one to let off a good joke, however, and noted how hard it is to keep things PG and good-natured.
“Regina, we have to hold her back sometimes, she goes on the jugular,” the Upshaws star said of co-host and Girls Trip star Regina Hall.
Sitting next to Sykes, Hall had her own take on working with Sykes and Amy Schumer and Sunday’s show.
“What’s been fun is being able to collaborate and create something together that showcases what we’re all doing differently,” Hall said. “We really want to make the night that festive.”
“The beautiful Amy Schumer cannot be with us today,” AMPAS PR chief Jennifer Davidson said at the top of today’s press, promising that the Trainwreck star’s absence had nothing to do with Covid-19.
Schumer, who will be a guest at the Dolby on Hollywood Boulevard on Sunday, will host an hour of the Oscars, as will Sykes and Hall for the most part. As Sykes said today, the plan is for the trio to open the show together and perform as a duo throughout the Oscars. It’s not yet known who will present the Best Picture winner at the end of a night that producer Will Packer has promised will last no longer than three hours on ABC.
Sykes, Hall and Packer were joined at today’s press conference by producer Shayla Cowan, director Glenn Weiss, production designer David Korins and musical director Adam Blackstone.
Given that the Russian invasion of Ukraine will surely come from hosts and winners, Packer sidestepped Schumer’s earlier suggestion that the Eastern European nation’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, take the spotlight during Sunday’s show.
“The show is still going – we wouldn’t say that either way,” the powerhouse producer said in a much more serious tone than he’d assumed for most of the press conference. “Hold on,” Packer said dryly.
Sykes, being Sykes, kicked off the whole Zelenskyy cameo venture with a quick “Isn’t he busy right now?”
Referring to how the TV show’s handling of the anti-NATO invasion by Putin’s forces, Sykes also said that “Will and Shayla have planned something” that is “organic and thoughtful.” Her co-host Hall added, “It’s a delicate situation.”
As a matter of fact.