Oscar party fun but also an Oscar Fiasco

Last week we had the annual film awards known as the Oscars, an excuse for lots of after party fun and for the stars to show off their finest designer outfits. Its broadcast in the early hours of the morning UK time but is peak viewing in the USA. Surprisingly, Forbes reports that the TV audience fell by 4% to 32.9 million but maybe new ways of sharing the event mean that these viewing figures are no longer representative of total participation. Between 5:30 pm and 1:00 am US time, Twitter reported that there were over 14.7 million Tweets about the #Oscars. Around 1.5 million of these apparently portrayed some sort of “emotion”, as measured by emotion analytics company Canvs. These reactions were generally positive: 34.7% communicated love, 9.2% crazy, 8.3% congrats, 7.3%. Only 3.6% and 3.2 % of the analysed emotional reactions expressed hate or dislike, respectively. In keeping with past years the organisers wanted to keep the event light hearted so the host was television host and comedian, Jimmy Kimmel.  Variety reports that generally he was reviewed as positive so maybe he will be invited back. Usually the media focus is on the red carpet outside and the designer gowns. The female nominees told People magazine what they would really like to wear to the awards in this article “Sweatpants and Onesies”. Naomie Harris told them ““When you’re seeing a great show, you want to be in a onesie, in a comfortable chair with some popcorn.” But this year it wasn’t the fashion, the onesies, the host or the party fun that will be remembered.

Hollywood legends Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway (Bonnie and Clyde to film buffs) presented the award for Best Film (or Motion Picture if you prefer so as not be confused with those static pictures). Beatty read the winner as (drumroll) La La Land – no surprise it was most people’s favourite, and so the La La Land team went up to accept the honour. As the acceptance speeches started it became clear all was not as it should be. Two excited accountants from Price Waterhouse, which oversees the voting procedure, rushed on the stage and then La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz took the mic. “Guys, I’m sorry,” he began. “There’s been a mistake. Moonlight, you guys won Best Picture.” Most of the audience thought that this must be a Kimmel inspired prank but it turns out that behind the scenes the organisation was in chaos. Still not enough to spoil the after party fun except for those accountants who it seems won’t be invited to help again.