LOS ANGELES (AP) — “I’m Just Ken” is a tough act to observe.
Final 12 months’s Oscars was by all accounts a profitable present, with memorable performances and unscripted moments (thanks partially to Emma Stone’s gown), and a successful film that most individuals had seen. However the workforce behind final 12 months’s present is “aiming for the stars” as soon as extra.
“We’re feeling the pressure,” stated Oscars government producer and showrunner Raj Kapoor. “But we’re not ones to rest on our laurels. We always want to push the envelope.”
With simply days to go till the three-and-a-half hour reside broadcast, airing on ABC and streaming reside on Hulu Sunday, March 2, the workforce behind the present gave The Related Press just a little perception into what to anticipate.
“We want people when they watch the Oscars to be inspired by the films but also be inspired by the broadcast and feel something like it’s a show that you can watch with your friends and your family and debate on who should have won and who is winning,” Kapoor stated. “We want people to have all the feels when they watch the show.”
Conan O’Brien has some surprises in retailer
One of many main issues that the producers are enthusiastic about this 12 months is their first-time host, Conan O’Brien.
“That alone brings this fresh, invigorated energy,” Kapoor stated. O’Brien, he stated, has been a “wealth of ideas and imagination” since he accepted the gig and that he and his workforce are going to maintain writing up till the present — and as a veteran of reside tv, he is expert at in-the-moment improvisation as nicely.
“He is going to be this great, exciting, warm hug and guide us through the night,” stated Oscars government producer Katy Mullan. “He’s got some surprises up his sleeve, which is fantastic because we love to keep people guessing.”
There’ll nonetheless be performances
The Oscars this 12 months determined to nix performances of the unique songs, however there’ll nonetheless be some huge names gracing the stage together with “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo — although they’re staying mum on whether or not any gravity can be defied in that efficiency.
“We’ve been talking for months,” Kapoor stated. “And it’s a moment that’s been very special.”
Lisa of Blackpink and Doja Cat may also be a part of the printed, and the producers promised a musical second that can honor Los Angeles and filmmaking in Hollywood.
How will the present deal with the wildfires?
The wildfires, Mullan stated, can be acknowledged within the present.
“The Grammys did an incredible job with their show and how it was treated,” Mullan stated. “Our present being a month after that and Conan having been affected himself, we’re simply wanting on the proper strategy to calibrate it in order that it appears like the suitable present for March 2 — that we do acknowledge it and replicate on it but in addition permit folks the prospect to step on that stage and have their second and rejoice their expertise.”
A brand new spin on the ‘fab five’
Final 12 months the Oscars made a second out of what’s often only a record of names by inviting previous Oscar appearing winners to discuss every of the nominees earlier than the winner was learn. This 12 months it is again, however developed. It received’t be the actors this time, however a number of the different classes that “maybe don’t normally get the spotlight on the Oscar stage,” Mullan stated.
She added: “Our theme is all about collaboration and the alchemy of filmmaking and really taking a look behind the scenes and understanding a bit more of the interconnectedness of how a film comes together.”
What in case you haven’t watched all the flicks?
First, Mullan stated, it’s solely Wednesday — there’s nonetheless time to catch the various group of 10 greatest image nominees earlier than Sunday in case you actually attempt. However don’t fret in case you’ve solely seen a couple of. The present could possibly be a discovery occasion.
“If you love the movies, like come to the Oscars and maybe you’ll discover things that you actually have not seen yet but will want to,” Kapoor stated. “Hopefully you’ll fall in love even with a few pictures while watching the show.”
Additionally? It is simply stuffed with main stars.
“We’ve bought some reunions that I feel will hit folks within the coronary heart,” Mullan stated.
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For extra protection of this 12 months’s Oscars, go to: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards
