Oscar producers want to put the focus on the films, not politics or causes

The New York Times

"In this #MeToo era the people behind the Oscar telecast have a message: Our show will be focused on films, not the cultural moment around them," says Brooks Barnes of the plans for the 90th Academy awards. The Golden Globe Awards revolved around the #MeToo and Time's Up movements, the SAG Awards focused on gender equality and anti-domestic violence activists swarmed the red carpet at the recent BAFTAs. "We want to make it as entertaining as possible — reverential and respectful but also fun and emotional,” said Jennifer Todd, who is producing the Academy Awards for the second year in a row with Mike De Luca. “The Oscars should be a spectacle. Fun and funny and great performances. It should also be a giant commercial for the movie business, which we all need to keep going.” ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey adds: “We certainly want to honor and respect Time’s Up and allow that message to be heard. But we’re trying to make it more planned than spur of the moment — it has its moment and then doesn’t feel like it overshadows the artists and films being honored...I would love for every award recipient to not feel like they have to acknowledge it independently." ALSO: Oscars reveal this year's performers, including Gael García Bernal, Mary J. Blige and Common.