Follow along for real-time updates on the 2023 Oscars on the decidedly non-red carpet, at the Dolby Theater and behind the scenes.
GLENN CLOSES DUE TO COVID
Glenn Close has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be attending the Oscars as planned.
A representative for the actor says she is isolating and resting. Publicist Catherine Olim told CBS News that Close was “very much looking forward to participating in the show”.
It is not immediately known who will replace Close as presenter. She was one of about 40 stars, including Halle Berry, Andrew Garfield, Jessica Chastain, Michael B. Jordan and Sigourney Weaver who will be presenters on Sunday.
Last year, Oscar nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda had to leave the show after his wife tested positive for COVID-19.
THREE FOR KIMMEL
Jimmy Kimmel is hosting the Oscars on Sunday night, his third time holding that accolade — which puts him in rare company.
He becomes only the fifth person to be the solo host of the Oscars at least three times, joining Bob Hope, Billy Crystal, Johnny Carson and Whoopi Goldberg.
Hope organized 14 times solo and five times with others. Crystal was a nine-time solo presenter, Carson a five-timer and Goldberg a four-timer.
There are four others who have hosted at least three times, but are missing the three solo appearances. Jack Lemmon organized twice alone and twice with others; Steve Martin and Jerry Lewis have each hosted on their own twice and once with others; And
David Niven hosted three times, but never did the job solo.
A total of 84 people have been recognized as hosts for the Oscars. That list doesn’t include one water bird; Donald Duck was credited as host in 1958.
BEST ACTRESS PROSPECTS
The Best Actress category at Sunday’s Oscars has the potential for history.
Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”) would become the first Asian woman to win in this category if – as many expect – she gets the Oscar.
The biggest threat to Yeoh’s win has to be Cate Blanchett, the two-time Oscar winner who starred in “Tár” – in which she portrays Lydia Tár, the fictional conductor of a German orchestra. Blanchett learned to play the piano, speak German and conduct an orchestra for the film.
There was a surprise nomination from Andrea Riseborough for her performance as an alcoholic single mother from Texas in the scarcely seen indie drama ‘To Leslie’. Five-time nominee Michelle Williams (“The Fabelmans”) is also in the mix, as is Ana de Armas for her performance in the divisive “Blonde.”
BEST ACTOR PROSPECTS
There’s definitely a first Best Actor winner awaiting — as none of the nominees won an Oscar.
It’s probably a two-man fight between Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”) and Austin Butler (“Elvis”) for the prize. Colin Farrell (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) is a potential thief, with Paul Mescal (“Aftersun”) and Bill Nighy (“Living”) potentially in for a surprise.
Will Smith was the winner of “King Richard” last year, though few can remember that given the night’s extracurricular events.
SUPER COME TO OSCARS
Rihanna stole the show at halftime on football’s most important night, and now she’s got a chance to make her mark on Hollywood’s biggest night.
She is scheduled to perform “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”.
“Lift Me Up,” featuring music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Göransson and lyrics by Tems and Ryan Coogler, is nominated for original song. It is Rihanna’s first Oscar nomination.
ARGENTINA LOOKS FOR MORE GOLD
Less than three months have passed since Argentina celebrated one golden trophy: the World Cup, lifted for all to see by the legendary Lionel Messi.
There may be another trophy lift on Sunday. And that too would give rise to a national celebration.
The award for the best international film is “Argentina, 1985,” which chronicles how prosecutors brought to justice the leaders of Argentina’s bloody military dictatorship from 1976-1983. It won a Golden Globe in January, which was big news in the South American nation, and now Oscar buzz could be the latest cause for celebration.
“After winning the World Cup, this is a huge joy,” said film star Ricardo Darín in Spanish at the Golden Globe Awards in January. But it takes on Germany’s “All Quiet on the Western Front,” which was also nominated for best picture.
YEAR OF THE SEQUENCE
For the first time this year, two sequels (‘Top Gun: Maverick’, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’) were nominated for best picture.
And of course The Slap will be back.
There probably won’t be a sequel to Will Smith punching Chris Rock at last year’s Oscars – would anyone dare? – but it will be talked about early and probably often. Host Jimmy Kimmel has already revealed the obvious, that it will be brought up in his opening monologue. We keep track of how often it occurs.
The job of keeping the show running smoothly — and in the headlines only for the right reasons — falls to Kimmel. He was brought in in part to have a steady hand on the broadcast, which will restore all categories in the live show. The Oscars also have a ‘crisis team’ ready, in case there is an unwanted sequel.
HOW THE OSCARS LOOK
The 2023 Oscars will air live on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern / 5 p.m. Pacific. If you want to tune in on the red carpet, there’s an official Oscars pre-show starting at 1:30 p.m. on YouTube. The Associated Press will also livestream the first 90 minutes of arrivals on YouTube. Here’s more information on how to watch and stream the Oscars.
HOLLYWOOD STREET CLOSURES
A litany of streets remain closed ahead of the awards ceremony. Click here for a full list of affected streets.
