91st Academy Awards: No Host, No Problem

Last night, the 91st Academy Awards went off without a hitch and without a host. After Kevin Hart abdicated the position following some inappropriate tweets, the Academy could not find a willing replacement. Therefore, the awards forged on. This was the first time in 30 years that the show has gone host-less, leaving the “Best of Hollywood” to lead themselves, crack their own jokes and be their own timekeepers.

Would the lack of a host lead to a show without continuity and humor? Ratings were up for the first time in five years so apparently the public had faith that the amazing minds behind the art could speak for themselves. The strong mix of planned bits along with the emotional spontaneity that accompanies nights like this created an atmosphere that was not in need of strict direction.

Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph kicked off the night with comfortable quips and their classic, impeccable timing. In her presentation of Excellence in Costume Design, Melissa McCarthy raised the comedic bar. Her royal bunny robes, mocking Olivia Colman’s bunny children in “The Favourite,” got things hopping. Her struggle to open the envelope with the bunny puppet just added to the moment. The four honors bestowed by the Academy on Bohemian Rhapsody were varied, from Sound to Best Actor, but possibly the best praise was when Mike Myers and Dana Carvey spoofed themselves, reviving their Wayne’s World bit from decades ago. “We’re not worthy” works on so many levels and on every level when talking about Queen.

The classic comedy was paralleled by emotionally charged moments that came naturally from the passion on the stage. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s heated performance of “Shallow” and Regina King’s (Best Supporting Actress) heartfelt thank you to her mother, making her cry, were instances that could not have been planned or expected. The absence of a host almost highlighted these amazing moments, cutting out the constant narration, and letting them speak for themselves.

While “Green Book’s” impressive showing last night was a shock to much of the entertainment community, one of the names that followed the film was familiar to the Middlebury community. Last night’s winner of Best Original Screenplay, Brian Currie, was the class of ’83. He went from the Middlebury football field to center stage at the Dolby Theatre. Currie walked away with two Academy Awards last night. In addition, not only was Brian Currie’s classmate, Ted Virtue – yes our Virtue Field House Ted Virtue – listed as a co-producer and was thanked by Peter Farrelly in his acceptance speech. It looked like Virtue was on stage alongside Currie to close the Oscars with Green Book’s success. What we didn’t hear was a “Go Midd!”

But Currie was not the only Middlebury alum to walk away a winner. Rodney Rothman ’95 was one of three directors to take home an Oscar for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” which won Best Animated Feature.

It looks like Hollywood pulled it off. No Host, No Problem.