Hollywood’s 98th Academy Awards ramped up the political hostility in signature Trump Derangement Syndrome style. Former late-night show host Conan O’Brien set the tone for the evening in his monologue: “Last year when I hosted, Los Angeles was on fire. But this year, everything is going great,” a sarcastic shot about the war in Iran. “I should warn you, tonight could get political,” O’Brien said. “And if that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock.”
The comedian was referring to the late Charlie Kirk’s conservative organization Turning Point USA, which hosted The All-American Halftime Show, celebrating faith, family, and freedom, to counter the Super Bowl halftime show.
Incidentally, Rock’s performance featured his cover of Cody Johnson’s song ‘Til You Can’t that included a new lyric Rock wrote urging listeners to give their lives to Jesus. That Rock recording released the following day, hit Number 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Christian Songs chart and reportedly outsold Bad Bunny’s DTMF, performed during the Super Bowl, by more than four times.
O’Brien’s hits kept coming. Using Hamnet’s scene of Shakespeare’s wife Agnes giving birth to her first child naturally in the woods — which was notably her choice — O’Brien joked, “Whereas we call that here in America ‘affordable health care.’” The joke didn’t seem to get the response he wanted.
Taking a shot at the Trump Justice Department, O’Brien said, “It’s the first time since 2012, that there are no British actors nominated for best actor or best actress. British spokesperson said, ‘Yeah, well at least we arrest our pedophiles.’” The audience cheered and applauded.
The comedian called the show an “international event,” in making his most political statement, under the guise of “optimism”:
“Everyone watching right now around the world is all too aware that these are very chaotic, frightening times. It’s at moments like these that I believe that the Oscars are particularly resonant. Thirty-one countries across six continents are represented this evening. And every film we salute is the product of thousands of people speaking different languages, working hard to make something of beauty. We pay tribute tonight not just to film, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience, and that rarest of qualities today: optimism. So, let us celebrate — not because we think all is well — but because we work and hope for better.”
While O’Brien took a jab at Kirk’s organization, several actors mourned their own who died in the past year. Actor Billy Crystal paid tribute to Rob and Michele Riener, recounting snippets from his films. Sandwiched between A Few Good Men and The American President, Crystal played off of Jack Nicholson’s famous line: “You can’t handle the truth,” saying, “Which is simply what we all want today.”
Free Speech
Bitter foe of the president, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel litigated free speech: “There are some countries whose leaders don’t support free speech. I’m not at liberty to say which. Let’s just leave it at North Korea and CBS.”
Presenting the award for Best International Feature Film, Spanish actor Javier Bardem litigated the war in Iran. Bardem’s opening was: “No to war. And free Palestine,” to loud applause and cheers. Bardem wore a pin with the same words in red, and in an interview before the show, called it an “illegal war.”
Yet President Trump has reiterated the objectives of the war and underscored the plight of the Iranian protesters whose free speech was punished by death.
Kimmel didn’t stop at the president. He attacked the first lady, referring to her documentary Melania: “There’s an international community of filmmakers dedicated to telling the truth, oftentimes at great risk … and there are also documentaries where you walk around the White House trying on shoes,” Kimmel said.
Introducing the winner for Best Documentary Feature, Kimmel made a not-so-subtle jab at President and Mrs. Trump: “Oh man, is he going to be mad his wife wasn’t nominated for this.”
Politico Poll
The show came on the heels of a UC Berkeley Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research-Politico poll of the California electorate and policy influencers in the state. The majority of respondents — 48% say Hollywood has too much influence on politics and 47% say Hollywood is “too liberal.” Even in the Democrat stronghold, 39% of respondents believe the entertainment industry has a negative impact on American culture, as opposed to 29% saying Hollywood’s impact is positive. Those numbers did nothing to tone down the Academy Awards ceremony.
2003 Oscars
By contrast, when Steve Martin hosted the 75th Oscars in 2003, during the Iraq war under President George W. Bush, the tone was more subdued. When Michael Moore received an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, he brought his fellow nominees on stage and unleashed a personal rant against Bush, “fictitious election results,” and a war “for fictitious reasons.” Moore was quickly met with boos from the audience and music from the orchestra to cut short his rant. Unlike this year’s Oscars, Martin turned the tension around with a joke, “Oh, it was so sweet backstage, you should see it. The Teamsters are helping Michael Moore into the trunk of his limo,” drawing robust laughs and applause.
In December 2005, Trump appeared on O’Brien’s show and ended up giving the host the tie he was wearing after O’Brien said he liked it. He then asked Trump for his watch. Trump said, “No, no, I’ll send you one.” At the end of the show, O’Brien shook Trump’s hand, and said, “You know you’re a good sport. It’s always nice of you to stop by. Thanks so much.” The two congratulated each other.
That was a long time before businessman Trump famously announced on June 16, 2015, his first candidacy for the presidency of the United States.
