5:33 p.m. I guess Paul McCartney can’t close everything out as he did with the “SNL” anniversary show. Half expected him to come and blaze through “Live and Let Die” before the end of this medley of Bond themes. — G.W.
Would like to repeat my on-record request: No big dance numbers at the Oscars. — M.M.
5:28 p.m. I feel like they decided to do this Bond tribute because Amazon’s Jeff Bezos just got his hands on the franchise? — G.W.
In protest? — M.M.
More like, ‘RIP.’ — G.W.
I am still angry that “Skyfall” did not win best picture. — M.M.
It wasn’t even nominated! And it should have been. — G.W.
The final Judi Dench-as-M scene. Sob. — M.M.
5:20 p.m. June Squibb is in the house! “I’ve actually been played by Bill Skarsgaard” is definitely a top-three line of the night as she and Scarlett Johansson present the award for hair and makeup to “The Substance.” — M.M.
I would direct everyone to check out Demi Moore’s Instagram post from Halloween, which shows the absolutely bonkers makeup work they did on “The Substance.” Also worth finding: Halle Berry pulling up to Adrien Brody on the red carpet tonight, recreating that infamous kiss Brody gave her when he won the Oscar for “The Pianist.” — G.W.
5:16 p.m. So is “Anora” vs. “Conclave” all coming down to editing, Glenn? — M.M.
I predicted both to win screenplay … and “Conclave” for editing. Which is why if Sean Baker and “Anora” wins that, it will be significant. But “Conclave” has the more obvious editing. — G.W.
5:09 p.m. Here comes “Anora,” with Sean Baker winning for original screenplay. — M.M.
Big win. Hopefully the first of many for Sean Baker. — G.W.
I was so afraid you were going to say “this means he probably won’t win for directing.” I am here for an “Anora” sweep. — M.M.
If he wins film editing later on, you’ll know “Anora” is winning best picture. — G.W.
I thought you said you were not predicting anything any more! Don’t jinx my jam! — M.M.
How many novels have you bought in an airport, Mary? Because adapted screenplay winner “Conclave” has been referred to as an “airport novel” about a million times since it premiered. — G.W.
Desultory short-hand for “successful novel.” When my novel is available in airports … I won’t be live-blogging the Oscars any more. — M.M.
I will miss you. Maybe we can co-author something? — G.W.
5:06 p.m. Nick Offerman as the Oscars announcer is a stroke of genius. Please re-up him too. — M.M.
Offerman and now Amy Poehler to present the screenplay awards. It’s a “Parks and Rec” reunion! They’ll undoubtedly be going out for breakfast after the show. — G.W.
Paul Tazewell with his costume design Oscar for “Wicked” backstage.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
5:00 p.m. After that presentation, I wanted them all to win. But I think we all knew it would be “Wicked.” — M.M.
Very deserving of the honor. And Tazewell looked marvelous. — G.W.
The speeches thus far have been so moving! — M.M.
4:56 p.m. Five is a lot of people to present costume design, but any excuse for Bowen Yang — especially in a “Wicked” costume. And this personal call-out to the nominated costume designers by the folks who wore their costumes is giving me chills. — M.M.
John Lithgow is turning into the night’s unexpected MVP! — G.W.
“That cassock was so roomy and forgiving.” — M.M.
Paul Tazewell just became the first Black man to win the costume design Oscar for “Wicked”! — G.W.
4:46 p.m. Not a huge fan of people reading speeches off phones but as they just got their visas yesterday, it is actually quite touching. Like you can see them writing it on the plane “just in case.” — M.M.
I can too. Which is why, as a traditionalist, I never want them to remove those categories from the ceremony. — G.W.
Agreed! Almost always some of best moments. Plus most people who work in the art of filmmaking are not big stars. — M.M.
“Flow” filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis accepts the Oscar for animated feature.
(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
4:42 p.m. The “Flow” folks are very happy–honestly I love it when winners actually scream because that is what I would do. — M.M.
Such a great choice. And a bit of a surprise. I thought “The Wild Robot” would win. — G.W.
Latvia is 1-0 in animated feature films. — M.M.
My chance for a perfect scorecard is over after two awards. And I don’t know anyone who picked animated short winner “In the Shadow of the Cypress.” Is this the kind of night we’re in for? — G.W.
Does that mean Ralph Fiennes might win? — M.M.
I’m not betting against anything or anyone right now. It has been that kind of year. — G.W.
4:39 p.m. Animated feature presenter Andrew Garfield is not going to be finished until he makes Goldie Hawn cry. That is what he does. — G.W.
Telling someone that “my mother loved you” is such a double-edge sword, especially in Hollywood. But Hawn has, in fact, entertained multiple generations. — M.M.
4:34 p.m. So will Culkin’s third and fourth kids be named Emmy and Oscar or what? — M.M.
Haha. Let’s hope not. My takeaway from Kieran Culkin’s predictably delightful speech: Never make any promises to your spouse after they win a major award! — G.W.
Talk about commitment to a bit. — M.M.
What’s she going to say after he wins a Tony for “Glengarry Glen Ross”? — G.W.
Kieran Culkin accepts the supporting actor Oscar for “A Real Pain.”
(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
4:30 p.m. Kieran Culkin, supporting actor winner for “A Real Pain,” was looking absolutely terrified before Robert Downey Jr. called his name. He knew he had to give one more speech. — G.W.
I love how Downey Jr. is actually calling out and chatting to the supporting actor nominees. And Culkin is Downey’s natural successor in so many ways — including all the bleeped profanity. — M.M.
4:28 p.m. I feel like Conan just took ownership of this hosting gig. Re-up him now. — G.W.
4:22 p.m. Don’t you hate it when you cover the Oscars only to find that Adam Sandler is wearing the same thing you are? — M.M.
Chalamet has already given us so much — the joke fodder, the buttery tux, Adam Sandler bellowing his name. I almost hope he wins now. — G.W.
Oscars host Conan O’Brien.
(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
4:15 p.m. “If Ralph [pronounced Rafe] Fiennes doesn’t win tonight, we get to call him Ralph [pronounced Ralph].” It’s a good night already. But no Karla Sofia Gascon reaction shot after that dig at her tweet controversy? — G.W.
They showed her asking, “What did he just say?” — M.M.
“Who is this Jimmy Kimmel?” — G.W.
Please make a joke about Chalamet’s tux. — M.M.
He obliged! And it was a good one! —G.W.
“You will not get hit on your bike tonight.” He’s coming for the streamers, too. Those Amazon/James Bond jokes were even better than the Netflix tag. — M.M.
The Lithgow sad face is going to be a great running joke through the night. — G.W.
4:10 p.m. Conan emerging from Demi Moore à la “The Substance” was a pretty good follow. And his hair really is the color of an Oscar! — M.M.
I love his energy and the self-deprecating humor. He’s leaning in to what he does so well. Always a W to dunk on Netflix, too. — G.W.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande perform the Oscars.
(Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
4:04 p.m. Here we go! The Oscars ceremony opens with a cinematic paean to Los Angeles, then Ariana Grande sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Would love to know how long it took to get her out of the big pink dress she wore on red carpet, but the ruby slippers-inspired gown she’s wearing onstage is pretty amazing. — M.M.
We’re a long way from that “Snow White” opening, aren’t we? That medley with “Wicked” costar Cynthia Erivo was gorgeous. Can’t remember a better opening for the Oscars. The voices. Soaring! Conan has a tough act to follow. I want to stand and applaud. And I’m watching from home! — G.W.
4 p.m. Hello, Mary! Are you all set for the 97th Oscars? I’m feeling good. Maybe not as sunny as Timothée Chalamet looks ln that buttery yellow tux, but I am (almost) giddy for a ceremony where we don’t know all the winners beforehand. “Anora” or “Conclave”? Demi Moore or Mikey Madison? Chalamet or Adrien Brody? (Will they let Chalamet onstage to accept an Oscar wearing that tux? I guess it’s too late to prevent that.) What are you looking forward to seeing tonight? — G.W.
Hey Glenn! I always appreciate it when the Oscars happen in middle of Girl Scout cookie season, so yes, locked and loaded for steady Thin Mint consumption. I’m excited to see Conan O’Brien in his Oscars hosting debut — I expect great things. And since I believe that only movies one would willingly watch more than once should win best picture, either “Anora” or “Conclave” — both of which I’ve already seen twice — would be a great outcome. (Though I’m definitely leaning “Anora’s” way.) As for that yeller tux, well, I can only hope Chalamet has hired someone for the express purpose of keeping any red wine drinkers as far away from him as possible. — M.M.
