Among the more controversial aspects of the 98th Academy Awards was the acceptance speeches. It wasn’t only political statements that caused backlash online. On two occasions, filmmakers were cut off before they could finish speaking. Host Conan O’Brien joked, “I know we’re tight, but to retract a microphone on a man as he’s speaking is hilarious. Next up!”
Many people online and in the industry aren’t laughing. Now Disney is looking at how it will handle Oscars’ acceptance speeches going forward.
A Controversial Cut-Off
In a lengthy interview with Variety, Rob Mills, the executive vice president, unscripted and alternative entertainment for Disney television discussed Sunday night’s telecast. “One thing, as we post mortem for next year, will be to look at how we’re handling speeches,” Mills said. “You win the Oscar, you know you go on stage, it could be one person, it could be five or six. Immediately you’ll see the sort of allotted time we have for them. Do we need to look at it and say, okay, designate one person to speak.”
Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler present together at the Oscars – X, @priceoreason
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The Oscars have traditionally been considered the biggest night in Hollywood. Even as broadcast ratings for awards shows continue to decline, the Oscars remain a symbolic benchmark for the industry. In a rare moment, there was a tie in the Best Live Action Short category. The filmmakers behind one of the winners, Two People Exchanging Saliva, were cut off just as director Alexandre Singh said, “And thank you…”
Kpop Demon Hunters‘ Songwriters Played Offstage
However, the shortened Oscars acceptance speech that sparked the most controversy was for Kpop Demon Hunters. The Sony-produced Netflix film won for Best Original Song. Some viewers felt that songwriter Yu Han Lee barely got out “thank you” before the mic was drowned out by the orchestra. The Oscars audience reportedly expressed their disapproval with boos.
While the Kpop Demon Hunters songwriting team was able to finish their remarks backstage, many users online felt that the interruption was disrespectful. Producers are weighing ways to respect winners’ moments while keeping the broadcast on schedule.
HUNTR/X at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Peacock
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Mills suggested that allowing Oscar winners to conclude their thoughts backstage may be an option moving forward. “Maybe you continue it backstage, and we have a feed on social or something like that,” he said. “We look at everything and figure out what is the most elegant solution, because it is difficult, especially when you’re cutting somebody off and it’s their one moment.”
Looking further ahead, the upcoming platform change may also affect how speech time is managed.
The Future of the Oscars
Disney-owned ABC has broadcast the Oscars since 1976. However, the Academy Awards are moving to YouTube in 2029. Any changes Disney makes for handling Oscar speeches will only be in effect for the next two ceremonies.
Moving to YouTube suggests that the Academy can coordinate with the streamer to do whatever they want, free from time limitations and network television restrictions and expectations. While it seems unlikely that Oscar winners will be given unlimited time for speeches, there may be room for greater flexibility.
A screenshot of the YouTube logo – YouTube, Major Motions
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For now, though, Disney and Mills are still considering their options for handling acceptance speeches. “I don’t know what the most elegant solution is,” Mills said. “But it’s obviously something we should look really, really long and hard at.” As the Oscars evolve, balancing live broadcast constraints with the moments that matter to winners and viewers will remain a central challenge.
How do you think Disney should handle Oscar acceptance speeches? Sound off in the comments!
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Does anyone even care about this political shitshow anymore?
I remember an Oscar show free of politics, focus on the art of filmmaking, a Jack Palance doing pushups on stage, or a Jack Nicholson owning the front row, or a Billy Crystal hilarious opening monologue.
That is a show i want to watch, not this modern bunch of whiny nobodies pushing the agenda du jour telling everyone else how to live while slumming it in their mcmansions..
Fuck those people!!
Nobody cares about interrupts, that’s just staged to get publicity. Fake news.
What they should do, of course, is repeat Gervais’ famous speech before every ceremony. You are not qualified to tell us what to do. Pick your bauble up and f*ck off.
The fact that the movie that won was the least interesting for me this year speaks about the quality of this award.
It is a turd, and most of the guests are turds.
I predict it will get another 10-15% drop next year. And then again.