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Talking about how disappointed one was by the Oscar ceremony, year after year, might be like beating a dead horse. We should make our peace with the fact that irrespective of our level of interest, the Oscars are something we can’t look away from–whether we have favourites among the contenders, if we’re curious about the latest couture on display, or if we’re simply looking forward to celebrities making compelling speeches on the day. The 98th Academy Awards, held in the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, was more of the same. And yet, as anyone watching it over the years will tell you, most evenings also tend to throw up their fair share of surprises.

Host Conan O’Brien started off by introducing himself as the last ‘human host’ for the event. “Next year, it will be a WayMo in a tux,” referring to the California-based driverless cab service. He then reminded the audience that around the last time he was hosting the Oscars, the city of Los Angeles was battling a forest fire. “This year, everything is going great” – O’Brien said with a wide, ironic smile – making the audience audibly gasp at the statement, which later turned into resigned laughter. 

Political jokes and speeches have been commonplace at the Oscars — with the awards night often being used as a sanctum by artists to make themselves heard. Who can forget the great Marlon Brando refusing to turn up for his Best Actor........

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