AceShowbiz - The 98th annual Academy Awards are set to air this Sunday evening on ABC and stream on Hulu, marking another significant event in Hollywood's calendar. Conan O'Brien returns as host after receiving widespread praise for his performance last year, offering hope that the telecast will start strong. However, the overall success of the show will hinge on several factors: the winners, the style of acceptance speeches, and production decisions such as the use of clips and musical segments.

To gain insight into what viewers might expect from this year’s Oscars telecast and what could be improved, I spoke with two colleagues from Vulture who closely follow the Academy Awards: Gold Rush columnist Nate Jones and movie critic Alison Wilmore. We reflected on the awards show’s recent history, discussed potential changes, and touched on the surprising announcement that starting in 2029, the Oscars will move from network television to YouTube, owned by Google.

Alison Wilmore shared her overall impression of the Oscars in recent years, noting a tendency toward overly cautious acceptance speeches and segments that drag in parts. She explained that such elements are typical of awards shows, as celebrities often deliver rote thank-yous to their teams and loved ones, tempered by social media awareness that dulls spontaneity. There will always be humor that misses the mark, she added, but what truly undermines the ceremony is when fear dictates the show’s creative choices.

Wilmore emphasized that the Oscars should not feel apologetic or self-deprecating about the ceremony itself. Instead, the event should celebrate Hollywood’s mythology boldly. She expressed frustration with attempts to downplay the show’s significance, contrasting it with comedians like Nate Bargatze’s running gag at the Emmys, which she felt missed the mark. According to Wilmore, the Oscars are put on by professional entertainers who shouldn’t hesitate to deliver a confident and engaging performance.

One memorable highlight for Wilmore was the 2019 performance of "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. She praised the staging, where the performers rose from their seats and ascended to the piano in a cinematic moment that blended intimacy with spectacle. This kind of unfiltered Hollywood magic is something she hopes to see more of in future broadcasts.

Nate Jones reflected on the ups and downs of recent Oscars telecasts, identifying 2022 as a low point due to the infamous slap incident and an experimental approach that eliminated traditional hosts and pre-recorded craft category presentations. He described that year’s atmosphere as “strange,” noting a misguided attempt to make the Oscars less like the Oscars.

Jones praised the decision to bring back a traditional host with Conan O'Brien, who balances lightheartedness with respect for the films and performers. He also pointed to the Academy’s evolving tastes, with voters now embracing popular films like Everything Everywhere All at Once, Barbie, and Sinners, which has reduced criticism about the awards ignoring mainstream hits in favor of niche or arthouse fare.

In response, I shared my appreciation for Jimmy Kimmel’s previous tenure as host, valuing his “don’t take yourselves so seriously” attitude that came from genuine camaraderie with the industry attendees. However, I echoed the sentiment that Conan was exceptional last year and expressed hope for his continued run, noting that no one has hosted the Oscars three consecutive times since Billy Crystal in the early 1990s.

When asked what one change they would make if given full control over the broadcast, Wilmore proposed a strict limit on acceptance speeches: winners should thank only one person, forcing thoughtful choice and making the moment more meaningful and less tedious for viewers. She suggested a possible compromise where additional acknowledgments could scroll on-screen, preserving inclusivity without prolonging speeches.

Jones advocated for reinstating clips for every category, a method he believes helps viewers connect with the craft recognized and differentiates the awards amid the many trophies handed out. Supporting this, I pointed to the recent Actor Awards telecast, which was highly entertaining in part due to its extensive use of well-curated clips and montages celebrating film and TV history, assembled by people passionate about entertainment.

Building on that, I suggested making historical clip packages a mandatory feature of the Oscars, with at least three segments exploring film’s past and its connection to the present. Additionally, I recommended reintegrating honorary awards into the main telecast, a tradition abandoned about 15 years ago. These lifetime achievement tributes, once part of the primary ceremony, provided emotional highlights that the current practice of separate events for honorary awards has removed. To illustrate the impact, I cited Harrison Ford’s acceptance speech at the Actor Awards as a powerful example.

Looking ahead, ABC will broadcast the Oscars for three more years before the ceremony moves to YouTube in 2029, a shift that surprised many. Jones began to share his initial reaction, but the full discussion on the implications of this transition is beyond the scope of this conversation.

As the 98th Academy Awards approach, the combination of Conan O'Brien’s hosting, the evolving tastes of the Academy voters, and production choices will shape the telecast’s reception. While the show faces ongoing challenges balancing tradition and innovation, there remains a strong desire among insiders and viewers alike for the Oscars to reclaim their status as a bold, cinematic celebration of Hollywood’s artistry and history.