Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes Host the Oscars

Regina Hall and Wanda SykesTwo of the comic actresses tasked with bringing the Oscars back into the spotlight definitely aware that the bar is low.

Since 2018, there hasn’t been a single Oscar host, let alone three. And last year’s television broadcast received record low ratings.

Now, the hosts of Sunday’s 94th Academy Awards say their goal for tonight is pretty simple: Go ahead and make it fun.

“It’s a night of celebration,” Sykes said in an interview he and Hall gave to The New York Times from inside the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

Hall and Sykes video chatted with The Times on Thursday, after a general press conference earlier in the day. The show’s third co-host, Amy Schumer, was scheduled to appear at the interview and press conference, but it was bent. At the press conference, representatives of the academy simply said, “Don’t worry, it’s not Covid,” quoting Schumer. They later told The Times that Schumer was not feeling well and was resting for rehearsals.

At the press conference, the show’s producers Will Packer and Shayla Cowan and their crews revealed what viewers can expect on Sunday. Then change last year, the best film award will again be given last; the show will honor 50th anniversary of The Godfather and 60 years of James Bond; “Encanto” actors Performing “We Will Not Talk About Bruno”; and some prizes will be distributed and accepted by the audience.

“For the best picture, you shouldn’t assume we’ve just announced the server,” Packer added. “We definitely want this to be part of a few unexpected surprises.”

Hall and Sykes said the three hosts will be on stage together to open the show, and will leave at other points in the show.

“We can be one, we can be the two of us, we can all be drunk, so it can be nobody,” Sykes said. “We all make our moment together and live our moments alone.”

They also said that the producers have a plan to accept this. war in ukraine. And asked how to get to the top Glenn Close performs “Da Butt” At last year’s Oscars, Sykes had an idea: “We’re going to try to get Judi Dench to do the Worm.”

These are edited excerpts from our interview.

What compelled you to sign up for such an ungrateful job?

WANDA SYKES If they were to come to me and say, hey, do you want to host the Oscars alone, I would say absolutely no, absolutely no. Why would I want to do this? I love my life. But with the two of them, I’m really looking forward to it.

REGINA HALL I’m excited to have Will Packer and Shayla Cowan at the helm. But then when I heard about Wanda, I thought, “Wait, that sounds fun.” And then Amy. I thought, three women, we collaborate together and we have a huge support system.

I’m sure there are benefits to being able to collaborate, but I imagine there are also challenges as there are so many parts and people. Did you figure everything out in rehearsals? How is it going so far?

LIVING ROOM How you get to the material, I think, is likes and dislikes and arguing. That’s really how you create things. I don’t think everything has to move completely smoothly for it to be great. What we appreciate in collaboration is making sure each other’s ideas are heard.

SYKES We’ve been really honest and open to each other’s ideas and say, “I don’t think this is working for me” or “Oh, I love this!” we said.

LIVING ROOM Or “Here’s what will make it work better.” That’s the joy of having Wanda and Amy: Sometimes there’s a good idea, but then someone takes it to the next level.

Can you give us a more precise idea of ​​who is doing what? Who is monologue? Who is frying? Who is singing? Who is dancing?

LIVING ROOM We all do. Really, that’s true.

Do you all usually watch the Oscars? And what do you think of the hostless approach and the show over the last few years?

SYKES I usually watch the Oscars. Hostless was not working for me. The show looked longer—it felt longer.

LIVING ROOM I guess last year was specific with the pandemic, we get it. But in the first year without the host, I think you missed the entertainment part that kept the show going. I’m glad you’re back.

SYKES The host is like a connection to the people watching at home. We bridge the people in the room and the people in the house. Build bridges. it [the show] was a homeless candidate.

LIVING ROOM Now we have three bridges in the back.

There has been a lot of discussion about the movement of the eight categories. outside the main broadcast. Considering you both work in Hollywood, what do you think of this decision?

SYKES I trust Will. And from what he said, it will be very respectful and these categories will have their moments.

LIVING ROOM They are part of the live show. That hour was not televised, but will be included in our main television show.

SYKES These decisions are above our pay grade. I think everyone is above our pay grade.

Do you feel any pressure to create a viral moment? there ever was scheduled selfies for the night?

SYKES We didn’t plan this, but I think there are some things we do, you know… we’re not trying to create a viral moment ——

LIVING ROOM — but We have moments to go viral-to be able to.

Wanda, you said earlier today that you didn’t want the jokes to be malicious. Given that we’ve seen backlash before, is anything or anyone off limits? Statements made at the Critics’ Choice Awards?

SYKES I will not say that everything is forbidden. If you can do something funny ——

LIVING ROOM —— that’s the creativity of what we do. It is the intention behind it.

SYKES Yes thank you.

I’m from San Diego – I love Shaun White and Tony Hawk as much as anyone. But can you help me explain why they happen? Presenters at Oscar?

SYKES This is a Production by Will Packer. This is different.

LIVING ROOM They like movies.

SYKES Definitely.

LIVING ROOM they love us. We love them. So we are united.

Like bridges on an island…

SYKES We are the bridge baby!

There is serious and terrible things are happening in the world. Could you elaborate on how you plan to deal with these challenging tasks, which we hope will be a very joyful environment?

LIVING ROOM Will and Shayla decided to respect and accept what was going on. We really support the idea they have for the show. He is honest and sincere and we believe that this is how these difficult moments should be handled. And that’s why we’re so proud of the way it’s handled on the show.

To put a good point on this: Will there be an episode of the show that will acknowledge what’s going on abroad?

LIVING ROOM Yup.

Can you promise the show will be less than three hours?

LIVING ROOM Alright, We cannot control how long people talk.

SYKES I suggested air hornbut …

Do you have any other suggestions that haven’t been approved?

SYKES We talked about Patti LaBelle and Chaka Khan singing to people. There’s nothing like a shouting Black woman to get you going.