Hollywood’s Biggest Night quickly became Hollywood’s biggest political campaign.
Oscars 2022 co-hosts Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes began the three-hour show with jokes about gender discrimination, diversity, political divisions and homophobia.
“This year, the Academy hired three women as presenters because it’s cheaper than hiring a man,” Schumer quipped as the comedians greeted viewers.
Sykes then shot Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell with a joke about “toxic masculinity,” before she and Hall teamed up against Schumer to block her from Black Twitter.
The trio ended the opening monologue with the three women singing “Gay, gay, gay!”
“We’re gonna have a great night, and for you folks in Florida, we’re gonna have a gay night! Gay, gay, gay!” Sykes scoffed.
The actress was referring to Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education Act, which bans teaching about gender or sexuality in school between kindergarten and third grade, in what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
Ariana DeBose was the second woman to win Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita on West Side Story. DeBose, who is Black, Latina and White, is now the first openly queer woman of color to win for her acting, and the only one nominated, took the moment to acknowledge her historic win.
“To anyone who has ever questioned your identity…I promise you, there is indeed a place for us.”
Producers were reportedly skeptical about taking a political stance at the awards ceremony and planned to keep the show upbeat while acknowledging the crisis in Ukraine that has killed thousands and displaced millions.
“This is really [momentous] time in human history and we are very aware of that. And that’s not how you go on a show like this, I think, and not be aware of it and not find a way to respectfully acknowledge where we are and how fortunate we are to even be able to perform this show,” the executive producer said Series, Will Packer, at a press conference.
Ben Proudfoot made an appropriate connection, urging President Joe Biden to “bring Brittney Griner home” as he accepted the Oscar for best documentary for directing “The Queen of Basketball,” which tells the story of Lusia “Lucy.” Harris—a Black woman—recounts the athlete is widely considered one of the pioneers of women’s basketball.
“It’s really, really weird to be standing here in a tuxedo and knowing what’s going on in Ukraine,” said Emile Sherman, producer of Power of the Dog. “It is not an easy time trying to process what is happening in this part of the world while also celebrating the achievements of everyone who made this film and all the films here tonight.”
Mila Kunis and her husband Ashton Kutcher have raised nearly $3.5 million to support Ukraine. Getty Images
But while domestic politics wasn’t taboo, Putin apparently was.
Ukrainian-born actress Mila Kunis didn’t mention her homeland by name, but spoke of the devastation of “recent global events” as she introduced “Somehow You Do,” performed by Reba McEntire from “Four Good Days.”
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“Recent global events have left many events feeling burnt out,” Kunis said in a celebratory moment. “But when one sees the strength and dignity of those facing such devastation, it is impossible not to be moved.”
The Academy held a minute’s silence in solidarity with Ukraine following McEntire’s performance of their nominated Best Original Song.
“We would like to observe a minute’s silence to show our support for the people of Ukraine who are currently facing invasion, conflict and prejudice within their borders,” it said in an on-screen message to a global audience. “While the film is an important way for us to express our humanity in times of conflict, the reality is that millions of families in Ukraine are in need of food, medical care, clean water and emergency services. Resources are scarce and we – together as a global community – can do more.”