A Recap of the 96th Academy Awards: Surprises, Predictions, and Jimmy Kimmel's Return

The glitz and glamour of Hollywood once again graced our screens as the 96th Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, unfolded at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 10, 2024. With comedian Jimmy Kimmel at the helm for the fourth time, the ceremony promised an evening of laughter, tears, and, of course, the celebration of outstanding cinematic achievements from the past year.

Before the red carpet rolled out and the statues were handed out, we delved into the pulse of the movie-watching Tellwut community. The results were intriguing, showing a mixed bag of enthusiasm and indifference towards the Oscars. While 15% of respondents were definite about tuning in, a whopping 58% seemed uninterested. However, the charm of Jimmy Kimmel seemed to hold sway over half of the participants, with 50% agreeing that he was a great Oscars host.

When it came to the Best Picture nominees, our Tellwut members seemed to have varying degrees of engagement. "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" garnered the most views, with 26% and 28% of respondents respectively having seen them. "Killers of the Flower Moon" trailed behind with 11% viewership, while the remaining nominees struggled to breach the 10% mark in Tellwut member viewership.

Predicting the winners proved to be a tantalizing challenge, with Tellwut members making their guesses in various categories. In the Best Actress category, the competition was fierce between Lily Gladstone for "Killers of the Flower Moon" and Emma Stone for "Poor Things". Ultimately, Emma Stone emerged victorious, much to the surprise of the 35% of members who backed Lily Gladstone. It was a close race through, as 34% of members thought Emma Stone would win.

In the realm of Best Actor, the battle between Bradley Cooper for "Maestro" and Cillian Murphy for "Oppenheimer" kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Despite a close call, Cillian Murphy clinched the award, proving the majority (48%) of Tellwut members right in their prediction.

Christopher Nolan's directorial prowess was recognized as he secured the Best Director award for "Oppenheimer", a decision backed by a solid 59% of Tellwut members who voted in his favor. With 54% of members deeming him the best director among the nominees, Nolan's win was a testament to his undeniable talent behind the camera.

In the supporting categories, Robert Downey Jr. stole the spotlight with his win for Best Supporting Actor in "Oppenheimer". Despite facing tough competition, Downey Jr. prevailed, much to the delight of 68% of Tellwut members who were glad to see him take home the Oscar.

In a twist of expectations, Da'Vine Joy Randolph emerged victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in "The Holdovers", surprising many who had placed their bets on Emily Blunt. With only 11% of Tellwut members predicting her win, Randolph's triumph added an element of unpredictability to the evening's proceedings.

As the curtains closed on yet another memorable Oscars ceremony, the 96th edition proved to be a blend of anticipated victories and surprising outcomes. From Jimmy Kimmel's witty banter to the well-deserved accolades bestowed upon cinematic talents, the event encapsulated the magic of Hollywood while leaving audiences eager for another year of cinematic excellence.