Hollywood’s hypocrisy will be on full display during the 93rd Academy Awards this Sunday. While many actors preach about the importance of wearing masks, 2021 Oscars attendees will not be required to wear a mask when they are on camera.
The Academy of Motion Pictures doesn’t want the ceremony to be on Zoom. They want an in-person ceremony and hope that the winners will be present to accept their Oscar awards. This Sunday’s show will take place at Los Angeles’s Union Station.
While the audience will not have to wear masks when seated in the main room and the cameras are rolling. They will have to put them on for commercial breaks.
Live Audience Split Into Rotating Groups
2021 Oscars attendees will be split into three groups. The groups will rotate between the main floor and two adjoining courtyards.
This will allow more people to attend while having a slimmed down number in the main room at any given time.
The live television audience will be maxed at 170 people at once.
Masks will be required when attendees are in the courtyards. The Academy’s concern, however, is how the masks will look if worn on camera.
In contrast, members of the Grammys audience in March had to wear masks at all times except during on-stage speeches.
The Hypocrisy Of The Oscars 2o21 Mask Policy
The Oscars’ mask announcement ignited some criticism.
If masks are so important, why is Hollywood’s elite class exempt from a mandate? Are they all immune?
If yes, are they immune to the virus or government mandates?
Either #COVID19 knows not to infect #Hollywood actors at the #AcademyAwards OR#Masks aren’t about protection.
Wake up people!!!#Scamdemic https://t.co/DdQML2xbe9— A Voice For Choice Advocacy (@avoiceforchoice) April 19, 2021
Even our neighbors around the globe are perplexed by the Oscars mask policy.
Yes, Sunday night’s Academy Awards will bring a welcome injection of glamour – but what message does organisers’ ruling on face coverings send out at a critical time in fight against Covid? https://t.co/OFHgSSWLxa
— Irish Independent (@Independent_ie) April 20, 2021
While you might expect a cacophony of Hollywood elite to be questioning the safety of the policy – it seems to be crickets so far.
Of course, only time will tell if this event is labeled a “super spreader” by activists.
The Academy claims the reason for this mask policy is because the Oscars are being shot like a movie. Presenters are even referred to as cast members.
“It’s not going to be like anything that’s been done before,” said Steven Soderbergh who is producing the Academy Awards.
The “Contagion” director said organizing this award show is like “trying to build an airplane while it’s in the air.”
Excited to make some more #Oscars moments. Tune-in on Sunday, April 25 on @ABCnetwork at 8PM EDT / 5PM PDT. pic.twitter.com/l1EKF63w0j
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) April 16, 2021
Oscars Diversity
The Academy has been heavily criticized in recent years for its lack of diversity amongst its nominees despite how Tinseltown preaches to the rest of America.
This year, there is a bit of a change on that front with diversity rules being instituted.
Related: Ricky Gervais Blasts Oscars – Calls Out Hollywood Hypocrisy On ‘Equality’
The result is nine people of color being among the twenty acting nominees.
A year of masks + lockdowns = the most catastrophic 12 months in the history of movie theaters. But also: a banner year for diversity at the Oscars.
"Odd as this might seem, I suspect those two things are related." –@Bob_Mondello https://t.co/CvLkWWhz73
— All Things Considered (@npratc) April 15, 2021
In a year where few if any of use made it to the theater, you might be asking yourself what films are even nominated.
The 2021 nominees for Best Picture include: The Father, Judas and the Black Messiah, Mank, Minari, Nomadland, Promising Young Woman, Sound of Metal and The Trial of the Chicago 7.
Of course, you are far from alone if you have not hear of this year’s Best Picture nominees.
The Academy is again opting to not have a single host. This decision is in keeping with the change that followed the Oscars’ abrupt (and controversial) replacement of comedian Kevin Hart with late night host Jimmy Kimmel back in 2018.
After Ellen DeGeneres stood up for Kevin Hart following his removal as host of the Oscars last year, Hart is returning the favor and sticking by Ellen's side. https://t.co/T7smcFmhs8
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) August 4, 2020
I’d venture to say the Oscar ratings are in trouble this year.
Read next: James Woods And Kirstie Alley Blast Oscars New Diversity Rules