Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga backstage during the live ABC telecast. Photo Credit: Mike Baker © A.M.P.A.S.

For only the second time since 1989,  the Academy Awards had no host to run the show and did just fine in the ratings. Not spectacular but fine.

12 percent up to be exact. Nielsen states that Sunday night’s awards show averaged 29.6 million viewers and a 16.4 household rating, an improvement of 12 percent compared to 2018’s broadcast which drew in about 26.5 million viewers. Those are good numbers but nothing compared to the 2014 broadcast in which host Ellen DeGeneres drew 40 million. America loves Ellen.

So what gives? Glad you asked.

Some critics are saying that a more youthful list of nominees this year combined with a strong, diverse group of actors, producers, directors and writers drew more interest. Also, shorter speeches, limited political wisecracks, (actress Maya Rudolph did managed to get in her “Mexico will not build the wall” comment which got some laughs) also contributed to the slight ratings increase.

The show indeed had some great moments. Green Book won for Best Picture (pretty predictable many were saying),  the stunning Regina King won her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for If Beale Street Could Talk, actor Rami Malek also won his first Oscar for Bohemian Rhapsody, a role which many were saying he was born to play, Lady Gaga won for Best Song from A Star Is Born and a surprise win for British actress Olivia Coleman for her role in as Queen Anne in The Favourite. For a complete list of winners, go to www.oscar.go.com

Oscar® winner Regina King poses at the Governors Ball.Photo Credit: Matt Sayles/ © A.M.P.A.S.

The winning song “Shallow” from A Star Is Born performed live on stage between Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga had so much chemistry and emotion, audiences were in awe of the two stars during their singing. Fans were hoping that the dynamic duo would seal the performance with a light kiss, but no such luck. Damn!

Spike Lee won his first Oscar after 30 years of directing for Best Adapted Screenplay for his terrific movie BlackKKKlansman. Backstage gossip was that Lee was a bit angry for not winning for best director. The Academy presented Lee with an honorary Oscar in 2015, but this was his first competitive win. Lee gave a little dig to president Trump by stating in his acceptance speech that the 2020 election is coming soon and that “Let’s all mobilize, let’s all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let’s do the right thing.” Lee also showed and shared his disappointment that Green Book won for Best Picture and his film lost out again.

If two-time Oscar-winning actor Robert Di Nero were a presenter, some media folks have commented that there would have been stronger negative comments about the president and the current political climate at the show.  The legendary actor has been very vocal about his disregard for the president at public events. According to many reports, Di Nero’s  soon to be ex-wife of 21 years is a Trump supporter.

Oscar® winner Rami Malek gets his Oscar engraved at the Governors Ball. Photo credit: Troy Harvey/©A.M.P.A.S.

The red carpet arrivals displayed designer fashions and unique styles but the one, iconic star stole the show. Lady Gaga came wearing a 128 carat Tiffany diamond necklace, the same one worn by legendary actress Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961. Slightly changed for more of a modern-day feel,  the price tag for the diamond masterpiece has now jumped to a mere $30 million. The cost to make A Star is Born was $36 million. I want everyone to think about that for a minute.

Walmart was one of the biggest sponsors for the Oscars this years featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest stylist curating fashionable looks for behind the scene crew members. The 30 second spots featured looks  are available on www.walmart.com. The well-loved retailer is no stranger to celebrity branding. Ellen DeGeneres line EV1 is extremely popular with consumers.

The journey continues….and congrats to all the winners!