How to Watch the Oscars 2022
A guide to everything you need to know for the 94th annual Academy Awards on Sunday night.The 94th annual Academy Awards haven’t even gotten started yet, and there’s already drama.First, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences demoted eight below-the-line and short film categories to a preshow, angering many in Hollywood who say the professionals in those races are essential to filmmaking. Next, the best director favorite, Jane Campion of “The Power of the Dog,” faced a backlash when she suggested at the Critics Choice Awards that the tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams had never had to compete against men as she had. Campion later apologized. And then, Rachel Zegler, a star of “West Side Story,” which earned seven nominations, revealed in an Instagram comment that she hadn’t been invited to the ceremony. She was later asked to be a presenter, and the academy confirmed on Wednesday that she would attend.So pop some popcorn, make an Oscars bingo card — trust us, you’ll want “golden hour” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” on there — and settle in for what may be the most normal Oscar ceremony of the past two years.What time do the festivities start?The ceremony, which returns to the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles this year, will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. Pacific — if you’re watching at home, that is. For the first time, eight of the 23 categories — film editing, sound, original score, production design, makeup and hairstyling, live-action short, animated short and documentary short — will be handed out in an in-person-only preshow that the producers are calling the “golden hour.” That starts at 7 p.m. Eastern, 4 p.m. Pacific, with highlights from the presentations later edited into the live broadcast. (The move is part of an effort to raise the broadcast’s ratings after they hit a record low in 2021.)On television, ABC is the official broadcaster. Online, if you have a cable login, you can watch via abc.com/watch-live/abc, or if you’re an ABC subscriber, via the ABC app. You can also watch via a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, AT&T TV Now, YouTube TV or FuboTV, which all require subscriptions, though many are offering free trials.Is there a red carpet?Yes, Oscars fashion is back! The academy is opening the red carpet an hour earlier than usual, at 4 p.m. Eastern, 1 p.m. Pacific, to accommodate the earlier arrivals for the eight “golden hour” awards. (Those attending the Oscars are asked to be inside the Dolby by 7 p.m. Eastern, 4 p.m. Pacific.)Explore the 2022 Academy AwardsThe 94th Academy Awards will be held on March 27 in Los Angeles.The Hosts: Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes plan to keep the show moving and make it funny, though they will acknowledge the war in Ukraine.‘Seen That Before?’: Four of the best picture nominees this year are remakes or reboots of earlier films.Best Actress Race: Who will win? There are cases to be made for and against each contender, and no one has an obvious advantage. Hollywood Legend: Danny Glover will receive an honorary Oscar for his activism. He spoke to The Times about his life in movies and social justice.Return to the Playground: For his Oscar-nominated short film “When We Were Bullies,” Jay Rosenblatt tracked down his fifth-grade classmates.ABC will have red carpet coverage beginning at 1 p.m. and running most of the afternoon, with a break for national and local news. The official Academy Awards preshow, “The Oscars Red Carpet Show,” begins airing on ABC at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, 3:30 p.m. Pacific. With Vanessa Hudgens, Terrence J and the fashion designer Brandon Maxwell as hosts, it will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the big night with red carpet coverage and interviews.Who will be hosting?Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes will be teaming up, the first time the ceremony will have a host since 2018.How is the competition shaping up?Thirty-eight features and 15 shorts are nominated in 23 categories this year, and Campion’s queer western “The Power of the Dog” leads the pack with 12 nominations. A category to watch will be best supporting actor: If Troy Kotsur, who plays the deaf father of a hearing daughter in “CODA,” can pull off the win over Kodi Smit-McPhee, who was an early favorite for his work in “The Power of the Dog,” that could bolster the best picture chances for “CODA.” Also relevant is the best adapted screenplay race, where “CODA” won out over “The Power of the Dog” at the BAFTAs. “CODA” losing one or both could be an indication that best picture is going to “The Power of the Dog.”What entertainment is planned?The eclectic lineup includes Shaun White, Tony Hawk, and Serena and Venus Williams as presenters, as well as the first live performance of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” the earworm from Disney’s animated musical “Encanto.” There also be tributes to “The Godfather,” which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the James Bond franchise.Will the Russian invasion in Ukraine be mentioned?Yes. The hosts told The Times there will be a segment devoted to it.Our Reviews of the 10 Best-Picture Oscar NomineesCard 1 of 10“Belfast.” More