Almost every corner of Hollywood has been shaken by claims of sexual misconduct in the months since the New York Times first exposed decades of allegations against Harvey Weinstein — and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is no exception. The organization has, like many others, taken strides to reconcile with sexual abuses in the film industry, but the latest allegations hit much closer home: Academy President John Bailey is reportedly under investigation for multiple claims of sexual harassment.
Yes, you read that headline correctly. This year’s Oscars could’ve featured an ambitious performance from the comedic musical trio commonly known as The Lonely Island. Could have. But didn’t. “WHY INTERNET WRITER LADY, WHY,” you scream, shaking your fists at the heavens, to which I say unto you: Because the Academy in its infinite wisdom deemed the performance to be “financially and logistically impossible.” Maybe also because they spent their entire budget on a stage that looked like an extreme close-up of Elizabeth Taylor’s bedazzled brain.
After delivering the acceptance speech of the night (and inspiring everyone to frantically Google “inclusion rider”), Frances McDormand was tragically separated from her Best Actress Oscar when a man — because of course it was a man — had the nerve to steal it from her at the Governors Awards ball. Thankfully, the separation was brief, as McDormand and her little golden friend were reunited, at which point they enjoyed a post-Oscars trip to In-N-Out burger. Meanwhile, the suspect has been arrested for felony grand theft.
Best Picture has recently been confined to the specialty box office, with the Academy-appointed best films of the year rarely cracking $50 million before taking home the award.
Chances are if you were watching the 2018 Oscars — like pretty much everyone else on the internet — then you saw Frances McDormand’s incredible acceptance speech for Best Actress. McDormand, who took home the honor for her performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (a timely film for the #MeToo movement), invited all of her fellow female nominees across every category to stand up and share in the remarkable moment. Then she ended the speech with a piece of advice. “Two words,” McDormand said. “Inclusion rider.”