The 2022 Oscars were one that surely won’t be forgotten soon. While all the films featured were entertaining, the discourse and drama of celebrities was definitely the main event this year. Among these shenanigans were many distasteful jokes, physical blows and many other catastrophes.
Let’s start with the bad comedy. To introduce them for the evening, the three hosts—Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes—definitely delivered some tone-deaf or even distasteful jokes in some cases. While this was a monumental moment for the Oscars, with three female hosts for the first time ever, they might not have taken this opportunity to shine. Amy Schumer, while she might be the queen of problematic jokes, had a bit of a fumble this year. She had a few jokes banned that lightened the situation of Halyna Hutchin’s death on the set of the movie “Rust.” After other inappropriate events taking place at the Oscars, she made a joke about not being allowed to make her jokes while others could act out. This received some serious backlash as Schumer was accused of not taking any of the situations at hand seriously enough. Wanda Sykes also received backlash when she joked in the prerecorded segment by comparing Harvey Weinstein (a Hollywood director accused of many counts of sexual assault) with an orc from “The Lord of the Rings.” Again, this is a mishap of lightening a situation that probably shouldn’t be lightened. Last of all, we have Regina Hall. She was by far the most problematic of the three. She made many jokes sexually objectifying young men, even one about the young age of an award winner. She also made a few tone-deaf jokes not taking the ongoing pandemic and safety procedures very seriously. These three definitely played along with the drama of the night, and not in a good way.
The next event has been dubbed “The Slap Heard Round the World.” It took place when Chris Rock took the stage to present an award. He made some jokes that were questionable, but things really took a turn when he began making jokes about Will Smith’s wife, Jada. Rock referenced the fact that Jada is bald due to a hair loss condition, Alopecia, by making a GI Jane joke. Will was first sighted laughing at this, but then we see him come onto the stage and strike Chris. This is followed by Smith returning to his seat and yelling “Keep my wife’s name out your f**king mouth!” Chris kept it professional and continued. This all was followed with an awkward, emotional apology and acceptance speech on behalf of Smith when he won “Best Actor.” In following reports, viewers learn that he was asked to leave the ceremony and refused. Many fellow actors have spoken about the actions of Smith with criticism and disapproval since the event. Definitely a blunder on both parts if you ask me.
Aside from all the other drama, there were still mishaps. To begin, on the wrongdoing of the academy, the craft and short subject awards weren’t even broadcasted this year, but rather done before the recording of the show even began. This was done in an attempt to streamline the show and cut down airtime. The Oscars still ran long and faced some backlash at the lack of respect for unrecorded award nominees and winners. Another mishap that took place was the wardrobe malfunction of Venus Williams. She delt with a bit of a nip-slip in her revealing yet beautiful Gucci gown.
Overall, the Oscars this year just missed the mark. The drama and controversy surrounding the night really brought to light how delicate and meticulous of an event this truly is.