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The 97th Academy Awards: A Night of Anticipation and Controversy
This year, fans of cinema eagerly await the Academy Awards, where humor and star power will be on full display. Confirmed to bring his unique flair to the ceremony is Nick Offerman, best known for his role in Parks and Recreation. He will serve as the official Show Announcer alongside host Conan O’Brien, promising an entertaining evening of accolades and celebration.
The announcement of Offerman’s involvement came from The Hollywood Reporter, who spoke with executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan. This marks Offerman’s first attendance at the Oscars, although he and his wife, Megan Mullally, have previously been spotted at the exclusive Vanity Fair after-party.
Joining Offerman and O’Brien will be a star-studded line-up of presenters, including Oprah Winfrey, Selena Gomez, Ben Stiller, Willem Dafoe, Goldie Hawn, Sterling K. Brown, Joe Alwyn, Lily-Rose Depp, Ana de Armas, and Connie Nielsen. This announcement is in addition to previously confirmed celebrities like Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Robert Downey Jr., Elle Fanning, Whoopi Goldberg, Scarlett Johansson, John Lithgow, Cillian Murphy, Amy Poehler, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, June Squibb, Emma Stone, and Bowen Yang.
A Complex Year for Oscar Nominations
This year’s awards season has been marked by notable controversies, including dialogue around the representation of marginalized communities in film. The anticipated film Emilia Pérez, which was once seen as a frontrunner, faced backlash after resurfaced tweets from its star Karla Sofía Gascón sparked outrage. Critics have drawn parallels to the film’s approach and content to Green Book, highlighting similar issues of insensitivity and misrepresentation concerning Mexico and trans individuals. Netflix’s label of the situation as “a bummer” underscores the film’s disappointing reception.
Amid these controversies, public figures like author Stephen King have voiced opinions on potentially canceling the awards due to environmental concerns stemming from raging wildfires in Los Angeles. While King’s stance has garnered attention, many local residents and industry stakeholders are not in favor of such a drastic measure, understanding the economic impact of the awards show on the local community.
The Oscars will take place live at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood and are scheduled to air on ABC and stream on Hulu on March 2, starting at 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT.
Release Date: March 19, 1953
Network: ABC, NBC
Directors: Glenn Weiss, Alan Handley, George Seaton, Hamish Hamilton, Roger Goodman, Max Miller, Trevor Newman
Writers: Buz Kohan, Dave Boone, David Steinberg, Ed Driscoll, Hal Kanter, Jeff Cesario, Marc Shaiman, Jon Macks, Carol Leifer, Bruce Vilanch, Robert Wuhl, Dan Harmon, Phil Alden Robinson, Billy Crystal, Amberia Allen, John Hoffman, Mason Steinberg, Colleen Werthmann, Joelle Boucai, Greg Martin, Agathe Panaretos, Blaire Erskine, Louis Virtel, Jordan Rubin
Source
movieweb.com