By Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --It's the 60th anniversary of the first James Bond movie and the 50th anniversary of "The Godfather"–and those landmarks will not go uncelebrated Sunday at the 94th Oscars.
"We have some surprises around that. Wink, wink," Will Packer, who is producing the show, said Thursday.
It's all part of the overriding theme of the year: "Movie lovers unite."
"Movies are the one thing that actually do unite so many of us as a global community," Packer said. "Movies make you feel something, they inspire you, they make you aspire."
Packer was joined by hosts Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes, director Glenn Weiss, co-producer Shayla Cowan, Oscars production designer David Korins and musical director Adam Blackstone to preview the ceremony, which is just days away.
Amy Schumer, who is the third host of the evening, was not present but had a message that her colleagues delivered: "Don't worry, it's not COVID."
They promised a crowd-pleasing night of escape and celebration, including a performance of the hit "Encanto" song "We Don't Talk About Bruno." And while there might not be a Glenn Close "Da Butt" repeat planned, Sykes laughed that they talked about having Dame Judi Dench "do the worm."
The show is aiming to recover from last year's ratings low and have made drastic strides to keep the runtime to three hours, including the controversial decision to hand out eight awards before the show and edit into the live telecast.
"We're going to make sure that everybody has their moment," Packer said. "It's about celebrating the most talented people and what they do."
They will also return to the tradition of ending the night with the best picture category after last year's experiment closing on best actor. And, Packer said, though they've announced an army of high-profile presenters, from Lady Gaga to Bill Murray, that they haven't necessarily revealed yet who will be presenting the best picture award.
As for the hosts, Sykes said they want "everyone to have a good time" but aren't "going to trash anyone … none of us are mean spirited."
The three women will open the show together but also get solo moments to shine.
Packer said they will acknowledge the state of the world respectfully, including the pandemic and the war, but that he wants the evening to be first and foremost "a celebration, a release, an escape for people who really need it."
Behind the scenes, the pandemic is still top of mind for those involved, especially after reports that some got COVID-19 after attending the BAFTAs in London. The Academy is requiring every attendee to submit two negative PCR tests before the show. Audience members also have to be vaccinated.
"We want to make sure that everybody is safe coming to the show," said Packer, who declined to talk about whether he knew of any individual nominees who had COVID-19. "We have a lot of protocols in place … We want to pull off a show that keeps everyone safe."
The Oscars will be broadcast live Sunday on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. EDT.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More