From Southern California, Oscars 2026 tells a different story

‘One Battle After Another’ cast members and team celebrate after winning Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards

This year’s Oscars was, as expected, remarkable for both good and bad. But having been on US soil for the past four Oscars, I am seeing the yearly telecast from quite a different point of view. I’m saying that because I’ve been to the Dolby Theatre and its surroundings a number of times.

When, during the red carpet telecast, the hosts mentioned it was hot, I knew and felt that kind of dry heat myself, in real time.

Of course, I still have not attended an Oscars event in person, and I am not expecting that I would anytime soon, though pardon me, I have added it to my bucket list.

So may I say that from my vantage point navigating Southern California the past few years, talking about the Oscars is personally more exciting than ever.

Here are ten details I believe made the latest Oscars worth remembering.

1. That live meme from the king of the memes: The young man who screamed, “I’m the king of the world!” in Titanic has adapted to the times, and host Conan O’Brien rightfully labeled him as such. Leonardo DiCaprio was certainly game, as he flashed a face showing “that feeling when you didn’t agree to this.” His mustache sold it!

2. Sean Penn making his absence felt: If you’re alive and well to go up on stage to accept an Oscar, no amount of reasoning can excuse being absent. So Kieran Culkin may not have been joking but rather implying the truth when he said that Sean, who won Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another, “couldn’t be here this evening or didn’t want to.” It would have been the biggest news if somebody came up to read a message from Sean himself saying he was not accepting the trophy in protest over something. Well, such a scenario has actually happened before.

3. Michael B. Jordan celebrating at In-N-Out: I’m glad the actor did it amid surprised diners at a very Californian fast-food stop, where else but in L.A. It’s a juicier bit than telling everyone he’s the sixth Black actor to win the statuette.

4. Netflix CEO’s presence: Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos laughing when Conan joked it was his “first time in a theater” appeared natural. He must have seen it coming.

5. Golden speech cut off: The songwriting team behind the song Golden from KPop Demon Hunters became victims of the play-off music, which they didn’t deserve. But as a blessing in disguise, that made their triumph more highlighted. I wonder how it would have been if a Hollywood legend had gone up and angrily told the band to let the winners further enjoy their moment. 

6. Horror uproar: The horror genre finally scored big at the Oscars. Sinners won four, including Best Original Screenplay; Frankenstein took home three; Kpop Demon Hunters bagged two; and Amy Madigan of Weapons’ fame snatched a Best Supporting Actress award. She was nominated 40 years ago, and her character Aunt Gladys is among the most remarkable in recent memory.

7. Thomas Anderson finally winning: The talented but previously Oscar-less director won three awards (Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Picture, and Best Director) for One Battle After Another. He lost more than 10 times before Sunday. Some notable films he directed in the past include There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, and The Master. 

8. Timothee party: For commenting “no one cares about this anymore,” referring to opera and ballet just a month before, Mr. Chalamet became the night’s butt of the joke. I feel sorry for him, but it’s a lesson that every criticism is subject to public criticism, so think again before you speak. That punchline from Conan about jazz curiously being left out in the controversial comment was solid.

9. Forever host: Conan’s hosting was well received because the jokes were tasteful and he didn’t let partisan politics get in the way. That’s a personal opinion, which I think I share with many others. He also looked classy on stage.

10. Woman standing up: Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s victory in the cinematography category was historic for all the right reasons. She was the first woman cinematographer to win and, even before that, the first woman of color nominated. Not to mention, she is of Filipino descent. That she asked the women in the audience to stand up with her was pure empowerment. — Yugel Losorata

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