Steve Harvey weighs in on Oscars fiasco
Theoretically, as fans are suggesting, this means that Leo could have plonked it down in the wrong place backstage or given it to a producer, leading Beatty and Dunaway to pick it up or be given it by mistake. “And unfortunately that took enough time to get through two-and-a-half acceptance speeches”, Ryan added.
Directed by Barry Jenkins, Moonlight won over critics decisions in many categories. After the cast and crew of La La Land took the stage to accept their award for Best Picture, they were soon informed they had not actually won. Presenter Warren Beatty announced the musical, directed by New Jersey’s Damien Chazelle, as victor of the evening’s most coveted award Sunday night, until people up on stage noticed that the envelope containing the name of the victor read “Moonlight”.
“As planned, I gave it to Faye”. Beatty was obviously bewildered, checking and double-checking and triple-checking before eventually making Dunaway read the words “La La Land” off the card.
“I have spoken with the Academy and expressed our apologies and accountability, and I am in the process of reaching out to the other affected parties”, Ryan said. The best explanation is Beatty was on the side of the stage with the accountant who hadn’t handed DiCaprio Stone’s envelope, and that accountant accidentally handed over the duplicate Best Actress card instead of the Best Picture one.
After she made the announcement, Beatty missed another chance to stop the proceedings by saying something like, “Wait a moment, there seems to be something wrong with this card-can we get confirmation please?”
Jordan Horowitz should win the Oscar for classiest reaction.
No one watching knew what happened until producer Fred Berger announced-after thanking his family-that, “We lost, by the way, but you know”.
The president, who vowed not to watch the ceremony, was constantly referenced throughout the evening by the show’s host Jimmy Kimmel, who tweeted at him in the middle of the ceremony. After all, they’ve been through it all, and Kimmel did just blame Steve Harvey for this. When they announced Moonlight as the real victor, Jimmy Kimmel put our thoughts into words: “WHAT DID YOU DO?!”
We’re guessing Warren Beatty won’t be asked back to present an award at the Oscars anytime soon. “I wasn’t trying to be amusing”. Aside from the prestige a Best Picture Oscar win brings, it usually results in a box office boost.