The Brief: Green Book took home the Oscar for Best Picture, but the hilarious memes from the 91st Academy Awards and Red Carpet might be more entertaining than the actual ceremony.
DEEP DIVE
On Sunday February 24th, the best and brightest of Hollywood stars gathered inside the Dolby Theater for the 91st Academy Awards. There were some laughs (Best Actress recipient Olivia Colman takes the cake for cheekiest speech), there were tears (Lady Gaga has a gift for making audiences cry), and there were some surprises (Green Book took home the grand prize of Best Picture, surprising everyone). There were also many memeable moments…
It should come as no surprise that the internet was all-a-Twitter when it came to Hollywood’s biggest night, starting hours before the ceremony began, on the Red Carpet.
Social media commentators weren’t shy about sharing their feelings…
Umm… okay#EmmaStone #Oscars2019 pic.twitter.com/4knxhKr9xu
— 𝗖𝗜 (@CIProfile) February 25, 2019
Me going to my prom, my wedding and my funeral at the same time. #Oscars #BillyPorter #Oscar2019 pic.twitter.com/XtIW7H7gmk
— cosita (@GheraldTaylor) February 24, 2019
We learned Best Actor winner Rami Malek might have the acting chops, but he hasn’t quite mastered the bow tie…
Perhaps the most meme-able moment of the evening was Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s performance of Oscar-winning Best Song, “Shallow”. It’s been rumored by many that the pair must be engaged in some sort of off-camera situationship and if you didn’t believe it before…
A meme is born. #oscars pic.twitter.com/XcWVm0wCSX
— Samantha Rae (@ASamanthaRae) February 25, 2019
Their chemistry is off the charts hot. Thirsty much, Gaga?
America is too, it seems.
Lady gaga and Bradley Cooper #oscars pic.twitter.com/ZoNnz2ynmo
— Reece (@sixyeetunder) February 25, 2019
Director Spike Lee took home his FIRST Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his film, BlacKkKlansman. Upon taking the stage, he and his bright purple suit immediately jumped into the arms of presenter, Samuel L. Jackson.
President Trump later took to Twitter to call out the director for his speech, which called for Americans to “mobilize” for the 2020 election and “make the moral choice between love versus hate.” Though Lee never directly mentioned President Trump in his speech, the President interpreted Lee’s speech to be a “racist hit”.
Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other Pres!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019
The evening progressed smoothly, especially considering the lack of host. Speeches were cut short by the orchestra, as per usual…
Captain Amer- I mean, Chris Evans, saved the day when he helped Best Supporting Actress Winner, Regina King, to the stage.
Love seeing Captain America out there doing his thing. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/1f48ogd9ux
— The Big Picture (@TheBigPic) February 25, 2019
Chris Evans:
Me: pic.twitter.com/JpNZgqgZiP
— dio (@robsongrll) February 25, 2019
And many criticized the Academy for the lack of popular films nominated – whatever happened to A Quiet Place?
Perhaps the most controversial moment was when Green Book took home the grand prize for Best Picture of 2018, shocking attendees and viewers at home.
Everyone in #Publishing mad about #GreenBook beating out actual Black movies by Black people staring Black people, keep that same energy when you get to the office tomorrow.#Oscars #Oscars2019 pic.twitter.com/eM0NdxTAvo
— LL McKinney (@ElleOnWords) February 25, 2019
The film, which has now been dubbed, the “Worst Best Picture to Win Since ‘Crash'”, has caused a divide between audiences and filmmakers alike. While some see it as a film celebrating friendship, others have found the film to be straight-up racist.
Though the message behind the film might be one of friendship and confronting racism in an era of segregation, Green Book is the prime example of the Academy’s current conundrum. They may aspire to be progressive, diverse, and woke AF, but traditionally, the Academy has been progressive…as seen through the eyes of privileged white folks, predominantly white men.
The team behind Green Book also happens to be predominantly white men.
“The Oscars weren’t so white” is a real headline I read this morning in response to Green Book winning. 😂 people cannot be serious pic.twitter.com/SI0Mta4pWv
— Demi Henriquez (@demihenri) February 25, 2019
Green Book‘s win has definitely rubbed some people the wrong way. It’s even spiraled into a meme comparing Green Book to white allies who choose not to “see color” and are all about Black rights…as long as it’s convenient.
Green Book thinks you’re not like those other black people, you know which ones. https://t.co/ODQAq5xXQq
— roxane gay (@rgay) February 25, 2019
Green Book stopped you for a broken taillight https://t.co/vqty0Dl9vo
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) February 25, 2019
It’s clear that while the film industry is definitely moving in the right direction, Hollywood has still got a lot of work to do.
Green Book is a perfect best picture for a country in denial about where it is, how it got here and what is necessary to change course.
— Adam Serwer🍝 (@AdamSerwer) February 25, 2019
However, to end on a positive note, we can forever be grateful for the 91st Academy Awards bringing us forever memorable moments like this…
When you have the #Oscars at 10 and Easter brunch at 11 @melissamccarthy pic.twitter.com/4GBUYM7kho
— Kelsey Vedder (@spartyved) February 25, 2019
Thank you and good night!