Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

The 2013 Oscars: Best and Worst Moments (Photos)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

At the 85th Annual Academy Awards, viewers were treated to a gamut of schtick and hoofing packaged as entertainment, as the stars packed the newly-renamed Dolby Theatre for an evening of self-congratulation and production value commandeered by first-time host Seth MacFarlane.

We got to hear a sex-obsessed animated bear make "Jews in Hollywood" jokes ahead of a nod to the great "Sound of Music," via the moment we realize the Von Trapps have escaped the Nazis. MacFarlane sang and danced (as did a number of very famous faces) but Catherine Zeta-Jones opted to lip sync. Badly. The normally terrific Melissa McCarthy and Paul Rudd were given a bad bit, and when people went on too long, they were played off by the music from "Jaws." Ouch.

There was a song about boobs, a William Shatner cameo, 76-year-old Shirley Bassey rocking a live performance of "Goldfinger," Jennifer Hudson belting out a song from "Dreamgirls," and much-ado about the 10-year-old movie "Chicago." Speaking of young things, MacFarlane ribbed all actors for being up for awards alongside a nine-year-old, meaning Quvenzhané Wallis of "Beasts of the Southern Wild." One helluva cool surprise appearance for "Best Picture" was First Lady Michelle Obama...a pretty neat way to head into the show's final moments.

Oh, and they handed out some awards, too.

It was a long night. Here's a look back at some of the best and worst moments.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today