3 chapters across the catalog
Producer Will Packer discusses the 94th Academy Awards with Tiffany Cross, highlighting the first-ever all-Black production team. The conversation touches on Amy Schumer's suggestion to have Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appear during the broadcast. Packer expresses his desire for the show to serve as an uplifting escape during tumultuous times.
Quincy Jones, who produced the 1996 Oscars, explains the chaotic nature of the Academy Awards production. He notes that there is very little rehearsal time and that major changes, such as Christopher Reeve requesting to change his entrance music, often happen minutes before going live.
April Reign, a member of the "She Will Rise" collective, is identified as the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag in 2015. This movement led to significant changes in the Academy's diversity requirements but also created a rift with Chris Rock, who hosted the Oscars during the 2016 boycott. Mo links this historical tension to the recent Will Smith slap, suggesting the conflict between the Smiths and Rock has roots in this diversity advocacy.
