Host Chris Rock cracked wise on rappers acting in films. If anyone can fault a career that includes both “Anaconda” and “Three Kings” they have more discerning tastes than I.
The cameras consequently kept a close eye on several of the music stars in attendance. A joke about Beyonce, followed by a cut to Jay-Z shifting uncomfortably; then a joke about the Source awards, followed by a cut to P Diddy shifting uncomfortably. I guess Suge Knight wasn’t available.
Beyonce herself performed several of the pieces that were nominated for the Best Song category. Her French rendition of “Look to Your Path” from “The Chorus” reminded viewers how technically good her voice actually is and was one of the highlights of the night.
The Academy hasn’t lost its love for “Lose Yourself,” spreading it liberally through montage sequences. Someone should check and see if “Encore” syncs up with “The Wizard of Oz.”
As in every other public event of the last 14 months, Janet Jackson was referenced. Viral marketing, people.
Before presenting an award, Robbin Williams pulled a piece of tape from his mouth, in what was apparently a protest to strict network censoring that kept him from performing a song criticizing a conservative group that has said Spongebob Squarepants is gay. This may have been one of the few occasions where audiences appreciated the efforts of network censors.
Clint Eastwood (best picture, best director) and Jamie Foxx (best actor) were two of the biggest winners of the evening. Eastwood composes much of his own music for his films, while Foxx played the piano himself to better imitate Ray Charles.