The Oscars have always loved a comeback story, and this year they want to be in theirs too.
This Sunday, the Academy Awards will try to recover from a 2021 ceremony that was plagued by pandemic restrictions, had a botched finale and posted its worst ratings ever.
The ceremony returns to its usual venue, the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, for its 94th edition and will be broadcast live on abc starting at 8 p.m. New York (0000 GMT). (You can also stream on services like Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, and ABC.com with provider authentication.)
How much of the Oscar crash should be attributed to COVID-19 and how much to the new normal?
That’s just a question hanging over an awards show that feels like a crossroads for one of pop culture’s most enduring institutions and remains America’s most-watched annual show post-Super Bowl.
Can the Will Packer-produced gala shake off the pandemic, reverse years of poor ratings for televised awards shows, and create a major event for a rapidly evolving film industry?
In the long run leading up to the Oscars, many in the industry were skeptical, which brings us to the first of five questions before the awards ceremony.
WILL THE LAST OSCAR CUT WORK?
The biggest drama on the horizon on Sunday revolves around a heavily modified show to curb falling ratings. As if catching up on several years without a master of ceremonies, this time there are three, Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes, who will each host the gala for an hour. Will their combined star power be able to move the needle?
Under pressure from ABC, the Academy will also present eight categories – production design, editing, sound, original music, make-up and hair, and the three short film awards – before the televised ceremony begins. Clips of his victories and speeches will be cut into the show. However, critics from across the industry have lined up to condemn the change.
The largest union representing workers behind the scenes, IATSE, on Monday called it damaging to the “fundamental purpose” of the Oscars.
What will Packer do with the extra time?
Beyoncé and Billie Eilish will reportedly perform their nominated songs. An eclectic lineup of presenters has also been announced, including some unexpected names such as DJ Khaled, Tony Hawk, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Shaun White.
WILL A STREAMING SERVICE TAKE THE OSCAR FOR BEST PICTURE?
The two favorites come from streaming services that haven’t yet won Best Movie awards. With 12 nominations, Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog was the front-runner and has long been the putative front-runner, giving Netflix what may be its best shot yet of winning Hollywood’s top honor.
But after back-to-back wins at the SAG and PGA Awards, Sian Heder’s deaf family drama “CODA” could have an edge.
Its sponsor, Apple TV+, has invested heavily in pushing the upbeat, independent film to the top of the pack. If “CODA” wins, it will be the first time since 1932’s “Grand Hotel” that a film with fewer than four nominations (“CODA” has three) will take home the trophy.
However, some predictions this year were dead wrong, leaving other nominees like Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” up for surprise.
HOW MUCH WILL COVID AFFECT THE PARTY?
Last year’s Oscars moved to Union Station for an intimate show with a small number of attendees and lots of social distancing.
A full show with irregular COVID protocols is planned for this year. Participants must provide two negative tests and proof of vaccination. Those who show up or perform do not need to be vaccinated but must have current negative COVID tests.
Face masks will also be there for attendees seated alongside the orchestra at the Dolby and for journalists on the red carpet.
Several nominees have been in self-quarantine after the virus caught the virus at the BAFTAs in London on March 13, including Branagh and “Belfast” co-star Ciarán Hinds.
With infection and hospitalization rates very low, Los Angeles County and the state of California will lift many COVID restrictions on indoor events on April 1, five days after the Oscars.
WILL SMITH WIN HIS FIRST ACADEMY AWARD?
Already twice nominated for best actor, for “Ali” and “The Pursuit of Happyness”, Will Smith seems sure of his first Oscar.
His portrayal of Richard Williams, Venus and Serena’s father, in “King Richard” (“King Richard: A Winning Family”) remains the most likely pick of the season. And the exuberant 53-year-old star’s speech would be one of the liveliest of the night.
However, his victory implies overcoming formidable competition: that of actor Denzel Washington, who beat him 20 years ago with “Training Day” and this time with “The Tragedy of Macbeth” (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”). poses a threat “The Tragedy of Macbeth”).
WHO IS READY TO MAKE HISTORY?
Many of the most important awards could have some important milestones. Ari Wegner, cinematographer on The Power of Dog, could become the first woman to win this award. Its director, Jane Campion, is also poised to make history. Campion, the first woman to be twice nominated for best director, would come third to win the category. It would also be the first time two female directors have won in a row; Chloe Zhao won the trophy for “Nomadland” last year.
CODA’s Troy Kotsur is on track to be the first deaf actor to win an Oscar. His much-anticipated win would make him and “CODA” co-star Marlee Matlin the only Oscar-winning deaf actors. And the supporting actress category, which Ariana DeBose has dominated all season for her big role in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” also gets to reward an Afro-Latin and openly gay artist for the first time.
It would also be 60 years since Rita Moreno won for her Anita in the 1961 original, and the third time two actors have won for the same role, following Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and Marlon Brando and Robert DeNiro as Vito Corleone . We’ll have to wait and see if West Side Story star Rachel Zegler is there to cheer her on.