“I really hope that’s not the most important problem in the world,” says Oscars co-producer Ricky Kirshner. He’s talking about the prospect of another slap, having been behind the scenes for last year’s calamitous ceremony. But while it might not be a genuine concern, it also has factored into the planning for this year’s telecast, taking place this Sunday.
“Well, there have been teams of people the Academy put together,” says his producing cohort Glenn Weiss, alluding to a crisis group the organization coalesced to react to any number of wild moments, slap-related, streaking or otherwise. “But for us, it’s sort of like producing a presidential inauguration. We’re responsible for putting things on stage, the Secret Service is responsible for a whole different part of it.”
Weiss wasn’t just using a government inaugural as a metaphor. He and Kirshner were behind the expansive Celebrating America inauguration TV special in January 2021, days after the insurrection, along with a litany of other live events. A shortlist: 2020’s pandemic-era Democratic National Convention, multiple Tonys, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and the Primetime Emmys. Heck, Weiss and Kirshner were even behind a live broadcast of the SpongeBob Musical for good measure. In addition, the pair have had one hand or another in past Academy awards, including 2017’s shambolic La La Land/Moonlight snafu and the events of last year, when Will Smith, as Chris Rock later referred to it, acted as if he was Suge Knight.
“There were a lot of things last year that people should be very proud of that got lost in the noise,” says Weiss, looking back on the infamous night. “You work so hard and then that’s all everyone’s going to talk about,” adds Kirshner. “It’s unfortunate. And it’s also unfortunate that in the world of social media, that’s what people talk about. Because I think there were some really good things on that show which are never talked about.”
Aside from the aforementioned pall of #Slapgate, the producers have subsequently found themselves saddled with dual controversies. The other is the brouhaha over Andrea Riseborough and her nomination for the little-seen film To Leslie, the result of a scrutinized grassroots campaign that raised the ire of some observers.
So with all of the drama taking place off-screen, why even bother with what could amount to a thankless job? “When you’re offered it, you can’t say, ‘Well, maybe next year,’” Kirshner cracks. “You’re offered it this year, this is the offer you get. The pro is I believe we can do a great show. Also, when you’re a live TV producer, isn’t this the pinnacle? We’ve done all the big shows. If you want to do the best and biggest shows and you’re under a microscope, that’s OK.”
Ah yes, that unforgiving lens of the public’s microscope. “I will say this,” Weiss goes on to explain. “This show seems to be under this magnifying glass or microscope more than any other show I’ve been a part of.”
Adding to the attention are the blockbuster status of this year’s nominees, from best picture nominees Top Gun: Maverick, Elvis and Avatar: The Way of Water. Meanwhile, this year’s performers include Rihanna fresh from her Super Bowl bow as well as Lenny Kravitz, performing during the In Memoriam tribute. Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B Jordan and Florence Pugh are set to present.
Though, he tells me, the intense storm of curiosity isn’t a bad thing. “I think it’s inspiring, because at the end of the day we’re coming at this with our sensibilities of creating a TV show.”
The host of the show this year is Jimmy Kimmel. But there were rumblings that Rock was offered the coveted gig. I can’t resist posing that question: was there any validity to that rumor that Rock was asked to host instead?
“Not by us,” says Kirshner, with Weiss adding: “We’re not really addressing rumors, but we’re happy with the choice of Jimmy. When we came into this, we really wanted to look forwards and not backwards.”
According to the producers, they came aboard in July with the decision to go with Kimmel, who has hosted three times before, coming sometime after.
Jokes Kirshner: “We went into a room and everyone made a decision, and if the smoke that came out the chimney was white, it was one person; if it’s black, it’s another. But actually, Jimmy was the perfect solution. He came in earlier than in past years as well and he’s done the show before. I’m not calling anybody out, but Jimmy’s also very understanding of the movie season.”
In light of Rock’s jabs and other awards show hosts who play with the fires of controversy, Ricky Gervais and Jerrod Carmichael no doubt among them, they know Kimmel has a penchant for playfully ribbing as opposed to inflicting deeper cuts. “The comedy is not going to be at the expense of anybody in the room,” says Weiss. “We’re all going to be laughing together.”
So it’s the day of the show and the eyes of the world are about to be on the stage of the Dolby Theater. How do you keep your wits about you?
“You mean besides burning incense, chanting and handholding?” says Kirshner with another crack.
“We’re very used to live television,” Weiss chimes in. “It’s what we do.”
