Oscars
10 Oscar Music Rules That May Surprise You
Last month’s announcement that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is reducing the number of songs from a film that may be submitted for Oscar consideration (from five to three) prompted us to take a deep dive into the Oscar rulebook in the music categories. The Oscars have had music categories every year since 1934, when the stylish “The Continental” (performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers) won best original song and One Night of Love won for scoring. In the early years, there was no explicit rule that a song had to be written for the film in which it was featured. The poignant ballad “The Last Time I Saw Paris,” which Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote in response to the Nazi takeover of Paris in June 1940, was a hit for Kate Smith that year — the year before t...
Oscars Change Rule on How Many Songs From a Film May Be Submitted
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced rule changes for the 2023 Oscars, including a big one in the best original song category. Going forward, no more than three songs from any one film may be submitted, regardless of writer(s). The old rule was that “no more than five songs from any one film may be submitted, regardless of writer(s). The submission deadline for the original song and original score categories is Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. The Academy recently announced that the 95th Oscars will take place Sunday, March 12, 2023. The show will air live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood (formerly known as Hollywood & Highland). The eligibility period for Academy Awards consideration will return to the full calendar year: a feature film must have a quali...
Here’s the Date of the 2023 Oscars
The 95th Oscars will take place Sunday, March 12, 2023. The show will air live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood (formerly known as Hollywood & Highland). The announcement was made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and ABC on Friday (May 13). The show has emanated from the Dolby Theatre every year but one since 2002. In 2021, due to the pandemic, it was held at the Union Station in Los Angeles. The Academy also announced “key dates” for the 2022 Oscar season. The biggest one: Nominations will be announced on Jan. 24, 2023. Here’s a complete list of “key dates.” General entry categories submission deadline: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022Governors Awards: Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022Preliminary voting begins 9 a.m. PT: Monday, Dec. 12, 2022Preliminary voting ends 5...
Chris Rock’s Mom Calls Out Will Smith’s Oscars Ban: ‘You Don’t Even Go Every Year’
Chris Rock’s mom, Rose Rock, is sharing her thoughts on Will Smith slapping her son at the 2022 Oscars ceremony one month removed from the moment. Rock, an author and motivational speaker, told WIS that the comedian is doing well but “still processing” the incident that led Smith to resign from the Academy. The organization has since announced that Smith, who won best actor for his performance in King Richard, is banned from all events, including the Oscars ceremonies, for the next 10 years. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “I told someone, when Will slapped Chris, he slapped all of us, but he really slapped me,” Rose Rock said. “When you hurt my child, you hurt me.” When asked what she would say t...
Jay Leno Shares ‘Most Disturbing’ Part of Will Smith Oscars Slap Incident For Him: ‘It Was the Yelling of Obscenities’
Jay Leno has weighed in on the incident at last month’s Academy Awards, where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage after the comedian made a G.I. Jane joke about the appearance of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who is known to have alopecia. The comedian and former Tonight Show host, 71, called Smith a “good guy,” while explaining the most troubling part of the whole ordeal for him. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “To me, the thing that’s most disturbing wasn’t the slap, because he was kind of smirking after he slapped [Rock],” Leno told the Palm Beach Daily News on Friday (April 15), ahead of his standup show this weekend at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. “It was the yelling of the obscenities. Then you go, ‘Whoa. What’s going on h...
‘SNL’ Addresses Will Smith’s 10-Year Oscars Ban: ‘Is That a Punishment?’
After Saturday Night Live joked about Will Smith’s infamous Oscars moment in several segments of the episode that aired April 9, it seemed likely that the NBC series would take a moment this week to address the latest development. During Saturday’s installment of “Weekend Update,” co-host Colin Jost brought up the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Friday announcement that the King Richard star had been banned from all of the organization’s events, including the Academy Awards ceremonies, for the next 10 years after slapping presenter Chris Rock during last month’s Oscars. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “As punishment for slapping Chris Rock, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has banned Will Smith from attending the Os...
Will Smith Banned From Attending Oscars for 10 Years
The Academy has banned Will Smith from attending the Oscars and associated events for a period of 10 years. The punishment was announced by the Academy Board of Governors following a meeting on Friday morning. The meeting had originally been scheduled for April 18th, but was pushed up after Smith announced his resignation from the Academy and said he would not contest any additional punishments. “This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests, and restoring trust in the Academy,” the Academy’s president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement. “We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.” Advertisement Related Video In a bri...
Anthony Kiedis Weighs In on Will Smith’s Oscars Slap: ‘I Love Being Offended’
The Red Hot Chili Peppers visited Howard Stern‘s SiriusXM show on Tuesday (April 5) to talk about their new album, play a few songs and weigh in on the heaviness they’re feeling in the wake of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins’ death. Stern was especially eager, however, to hear their thoughts on the slap heard ’round the world, especially since their pal Chris Rock inducted the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Too much has been said already,” singer Anthony Kiedis demurred at first when Stern attempted to get their take on the Oscars incident where Will Smith slapped Rock on stage after the actor-comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair. “We love Chris Rock and I’ll stand forward ...
‘Saturday Night Live’ Pokes Fun at Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars: Watch
In the cold open of the April 2 episode of Saturday Night Live, Fox & Friends hosts Alex Moffat’s Steve Doocy, Mikey Day’s Brian Kilmeade and Heidi Gardner’s Ainsley Earhardt had James Austin Johnson’s President Donald Trump address Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars ceremony on March 27. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “I did see slap. I enjoyed slap,” Johnson’s Trump said. “I was very impressed with my Hitch. Quite an arm on Hitch. I always knew Hitch had an arm. Back in Pursuit of Happyness, he’s lugging the machine on and off the subway. I thought it was great. You know, they slept in the bathroom in that movie. It’s so sad. It’s so sad. It’s a sad night for Hitch, too. It’s a very sad night.” [embedded content] Later, host Je...
Denzel Washington Defends Will Smith: “Who Are We to Condemn?”
Immediately after assaulting Chris Rock at the Oscars, Will Smith was consoled by Denzel Washington. During an appearance at Pastor T.D. Jakes’ Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Washington spoke for the first time about the incident. During his acceptance speech for Best Actor, Smith thanked Washington for his support. “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you,” Smith recalled Washington telling him. Washington shared a similar message on Saturday. “There’s a saying when the devil ignores you, then you know you’re doing something wrong,” Washington said (via Variety). “The devil goes ‘Oh, no, leave him alone, he’s my favorite.’ Conversely, when the devil comes at you, maybe it’s because he’s trying to do something right. And for whatever reas...
Denzel Washington Prayed With Will Smith During Oscars After Chris Rock Slap: ‘I Couldn’t Have Sat in My Seat’
Denzel Washington has spoken publicly for the first time about the 2022 Oscars and his response during the ceremony after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on the stage of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. On Saturday (April 2), the Oscar-winning actor appeared with author and pastor T.D. Jakes as part of his International Leadership Summit in a discussion centered on Washington’s career and faith. During the panel, the conversation turned to Sunday night’s Oscars, where Smith took to the stage in an unscripted move and slapped Rock after the comedian and presenter made a reference to Jada Pinkett Smith, her bald hairstyle and the film G.I. Jane. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news After the slap, Washington — who was nominated for Macbeth — wa...
Will Smith Resigns From Academy After Chris Rock Oscars Slap
Will Smith, in the wake of slapping Chris Rock at Sunday’s Oscars, has decided to resign from the membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Smith said he was heartbroken and would accept all consequences for his conduct. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home,” Smith said in the statement. “I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for thei...
