That’s a wrap on Oscar season 2024 — but first, the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast‘s Roundtable dives in one last time to take a final look at the highs, lows, and headscratchers from Sunday night’s ceremony. “Oppenheimer” did huge, but it didn’t quite sweep. “Poor Things” over-poor-formed. (Sorry, this is the Roundtable, so dad jokes and bad puns are required!) We’re still not quite sure what Al Pacino was doing before handing out the best picture Academy Award. But overall, this year’s Oscars gets high marks for good speeches, fun segments (“I’m Just Ken” leading that, of course), solid quips by host Jimmy Kimmel, and perhaps — most importantly — ending early.
Wrapping Up the Oscars 2024
The Oscars have come and gone, but the memories and moments from the prestigious event linger on. As we bid farewell to Oscar season 2024, it’s time to reflect on the highs and lows, the surprises and disappointments of the night. In this final episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast’s Roundtable, our panel of experts — Clayton Davis, Jenelle Riley, Jazz Tangcay, and Michael Schneider — share their parting thoughts on the ceremony.
The Highlights and Headscratchers
As the curtain falls on another Oscars, certain moments stood out. “Oppenheimer” made a big impact, although it fell short of sweeping the awards. “Poor Things” failed to live up to expectations. But amidst the wins and losses, the speeches shone brightly. The show was filled with fun segments, with “I’m Just Ken” leading the way. Host Jimmy Kimmel delighted the audience with his witty remarks. And let’s not forget the most important triumph of all—the Oscars ended early!
Required Readings from Oscar Night
For those who want to delve deeper into the happenings of Oscar night, here are some essential articles to peruse:
- How to Improve the Oscars: Add New Categories, Bump the Show Up to February and More
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s Oscar Win Is Just the Start: ‘The Roles Will Get Better, The Money Will Improve’
- 2024 Oscar Ratings: Academy Awards Audience Rises Slightly to 19.5 Million Viewers
- How Ryan Gosling Planned Out Every ‘I’m Just Ken’ Performance Detail, From Marilyn Monroe’s Inspiration to the Cameraman Kiss
- Oscars Team Tells All: Getting John Cena Naked, Jimmy Kimmel’s Trump Joke and Why Al Pacino Skipped the Best Picture Nominees (EXCLUSIVE)
- Oscars Season Analysis: Lily Gladstone Should Have Campaigned Supporting and Movie Studios Are Back on Top
- Brits Dominate Oscars in Non-Acting Categories With Wins for Christopher Nolan, ‘The Zone of Interest’ and ‘Poor Things’
- The ‘Oppenheimer’ Oscars Reminded Us That Movies Can Still Be the Great Mass Art Form
- Oscars: Five Things You Didn’t See on TV — A Late Start, Simu Liu’s ‘I’m Just Ken’ Prep and More
- Nine Actors on Actors, Awards Circuit Podcast and Variety Cover Stars Win Oscars
- The 96th Oscars Were More Than Kenough to Celebrate a Banner Year in Moviemaking: TV Review
- Oscars Snubs and Surprises: Emma Stone Is Shocked She Won, ‘Maestro’ Is Shut Out — and Al Pacino’s Awkward Best Picture Reveal
- How ‘Godzilla Minus One’ Topped the VFX Oscar Competition
- Jimmy Kimmel Stops the Oscars to Fire Back at Donald Trump, Who Slammed the Show as ‘Boring’: ‘Isn’t It Past Your Jail Time?’
- Oscars In Memoriam: Angus Cloud, Lance Reddick, Norman Lear Omitted From Main Segment
- Emma Stone Fights Tears and a Broken Dress While Accepting Best Actress Oscar for ‘Poor Things’: ‘Thank You for the Gift of a Lifetime in Bella Baxter’
- Oscars 2024: Netflix Wins Just One Award and Apple Shut Out After Streamers Combine for 32 Nominations
- Cillian Murphy Wins Best Actor Oscar: I’m a ‘Very Proud Irish Man Standing Up Here Tonight’
- Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell Become Oscars’ Youngest Two-Time Winners Ever, Taking Home Best Song for ‘What Was I Made For?’
- Ludwig Göransson Wins His Second Oscar for ‘Oppenheimer’ Score
- Ryan Gosling Electrifies Oscars With ‘I’m Just Ken’ Live as Margot Robbie, Emma Stone and More Passionately Sing Along; Slash Also Rocks Out on Stage
- ’20 Days in Mariupol’ Director Delivers Powerful Oscar Speech: I Wish to Exchange Award for ‘Russia Never Attacking Ukraine’
- Robert Downey Jr. Wins First Oscar for ‘Oppenheimer’: ‘I’d Like to Thank My Terrible Childhood and the Academy’
- Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt Roast ‘Barbenheimer’ Rivalry at the Oscars; Blunt Jokingly Accuses Gosling of Spray Painting Ken’s Abs
- John Cena Goes Nude on the Oscars Stage in Nod to Infamous Academy Award Streaker, Quips: ‘The Male Body Is Not a Joke!’
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph Breaks Down in Tears During Emotional Oscars Acceptance Speech: ‘Thank You for Seeing Me’
- Jimmy Kimmel Skewers Greta Gerwig’s Director Snub, ‘Madame Web’ and Robert Downey Jr.’s History of Drug Addiction in Oscars Monologue
- ‘Oppenheimer’ Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director: Full Winners List
- Protesters Turn Oscars Red Carpet Into Gridlock as Show Threatens to Start With Many Empty Seats
- Jimmy Kimmel Doesn’t Buy That He’s Now the Oscars’ Permanent Host: ‘You Assume I’ve Been Asked’
Looking Ahead
As we prepare for a busy Emmy season, the Awards Circuit Podcast will be taking a short break. But fear not, we’ll be back next month with more exciting episodes. Keep an eye out for the return of the podcast as we dive into the world of television and all things awards. Until then, stay on the circuit and keep your love for film and television alive!
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jenelle Riley, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, and Michael Schneider, who also produces, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each week, “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines, and much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or anywhere you download podcasts. New episodes post weekly.