12 chapters across the catalog
Producer Will Packer discusses the 94th Academy Awards with Tiffany Cross, highlighting the show's first-ever all-black production team. The conversation touches on Amy Schumer's suggestion to have Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky appear during the broadcast. Packer emphasizes his goal of creating an "escape" and a fun, uplifting celebration rather than a purely political event.
The hosts discuss Amy Schumer's performance as an Oscar host, noting a conflict between her "woke" public persona and inappropriate physical humor during the show. Reference is made to claims by Joe Rogan that Schumer is widely disliked by fellow comedians due to allegations of joke stealing. Despite these criticisms, the hosts admit some of her scripted bits during the ceremony were effective.
The roots of the Smith-Rock feud are traced to the 2016 "Oscar So White" boycott led by Jada Pinkett Smith. Chris Rock, who was hosting that year, felt the boycott put him in an awkward position, making him look like a "sellout." The hosts discuss how Rock's 2016 monologue mocked Jada, setting the stage for the 2022 confrontation.
Jada Pinkett Smith's 2016 video calling for a Black boycott of the Oscars is reviewed. She argues that "begging for acknowledgement" from the Academy diminishes the dignity of Black people and calls for the community to build its own institutions. The hosts interpret her closing message to Chris Rock as "shade," questioning her sincerity in supporting his hosting gig.
Will Smith discusses his disappointment over not being nominated for the film *Concussion* and his belief in the American Dream. The hosts note a shift in Smith's tone and articulation during this period, suggesting he was being coached or playing a specific role. They argue that the 2016 controversy directly led to the "Black Oscars" production of 2022.
April Reign, the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag, explains the origins of the movement and its expansion into a broader critique of corporate diversity. She describes the distinction between diversity, inclusion, and equity (DIE). The hosts argue that Reign's movement created a massive "windfall of corporate cash" and a new industry for diversity consultants.
Legendary producer Quincy Jones describes the chaotic reality of producing the Academy Awards, comparing it to "running through hell with gasoline underwear." He explains that there is very little rehearsal time and that "serendipity" or unexpected moments often define the show. The hosts use this to argue that the Will Smith slap didn't need a massive conspiracy to occur, just a few people with an agenda.
Kiana Tipton explains the "call and response" nature of black digital language and its role in campaigns like "Say Her Name." This is compared to the invention of the turntable; while Thomas Edison created the technology, users innovated the "scratching" technique, illustrating how culture builds on top of existing tools in unintended ways.
The discussion shifts to the viral incident where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Awards. One host describes going "micro-viral" on YouTube after reacting to the event in a live stream that garnered 25,000 views. They briefly touch upon the long-standing tension between Smith and Rock dating back to the 2016 "Oscars So White" boycott.
April Reign, the creator of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag, is identified as a key figure in the movement to diversify the federal judiciary. The hosts link Reign's activism to the 2016 Oscars boycott led by Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith. They suggest that the recent conflict between Will Smith and Chris Rock is rooted in the fallout from that boycott and Rock's subsequent monologues.
A clip of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris following the Chauvin verdict highlights their use of the term "systemic racism." Tucker Carlson criticizes Biden for weighing in on the jury's deliberation before a verdict was reached. Mo suggests that many people accepted the guilty verdict simply as a means to "get back to normal," similar to the social pressure surrounding vaccines.
During the 2018 Academy Awards, TMZ reporters attempted to stir controversy regarding Kobe Bryant's win for the animated short "Dear Basketball" by questioning attendees about his past legal issues. Despite the height of the Me Too movement, Bryant received a warm reception from Hollywood, suggesting his status as a major corporate asset for brands like Nike protected his image. The media's tendency to cycle between tearing down heroes and celebrating "comeback kids" was evident in the coverage.
