As dangerous wildfires devastated neighborhoods across Los Angeles, an incendiary debate unfolded near fire containment lines: Should the Oscars be canceled this year?
As celebrities including Stephen King, Jean Smart and Rosanna Arquette have expressed concerns about how the ceremony should be conducted while fires are still burning, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has taken a stance firm: the show must go on.
Earlier this week, the organization said that despite some calls to roll out the red carpet, it was determined to keep the Oscars ceremony on track on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.
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“After consultation with ABC, our Board of Directors and other key stakeholders in Los Angeles and the film community, we have made a carefully considered decision to proceed with the 97th Academy Awards as scheduled on March 2,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer. Los Angeles Times in a press release published on January 15.
Currently, thousands of structures have been destroyed and at least 27 people have died due to fires in Altadena, Malibu and Pacific Palisades. Focusing on a ceremony spotlighting wealthy stars and the “glitz” of the red carpet could potentially be seen as tone-deaf, some celebrities argued.
On Bluesky, King posted that he “would not be voting at the Oscars this year.” (In my honest opinion) they should cancel them. No pomp with Los Angeles on fire.
However, in this case, these fires affected many of the people the ceremony is supposed to celebrate – and not just the wealthiest.
Kramer acknowledged as much, adding: “We believe we must move forward to support our film community and use our global platform to call attention to these critical moments in our history.”
Given the economic shock that Hollywood has suffered over the past five years – from a global pandemic that saw theaters close to two writers’ and actors’ strikes that halted production on dozens of films and of TV shows – everyone from stars to production assistants and “Gig workers have felt the financial pinch.
For Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times, the ceremony moves forward with not only support for blockbuster and independent films that are recognized, but also provides an economic boost to those who are essential to Hollywood but who don’t usually see the spotlight – think of Carolina from Craft Services who received a shout out from The Penguin Actor Colin Farrell in his Golden Globes acceptance speech.
“The fires are just the latest blow to many people who are already struggling to find work, pay their rent and feed their children,” she wrote, noting that about 1,000 people are needed people “not including presenters and guests” for the Oscars to take place.
Additionally, the Oscars have never missed a year – even during World War II or after 9/11 – although they have been delayed or postponed at different times during their 94-year history.
This does not mean that everything will be business as usual for the celebrations.
Kramer also noted that, like the Grammy Awards, which continue with their Feb. 2 ceremony at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, this year’s awards show will honor first responders and include “special moments recognizing those who fought so bravely against the wildfires.
While planning for the event is still underway, the academy is monitoring “the situation closely” and Conan O’Brien is still scheduled to host it, celebrities like Arquette and Tips The Smart star is asking organizers to donate or raise money for those displaced by the fires, with Smart going even further.
Calling on the academy (including a board of directors, four of whom plus a former CEO lost their homes in the fires) to abandon broadcasting altogether, Smart said in an Instagram post: “I hope the One of the networks televising the upcoming awards show will seriously consider NOT televising them and donating any revenue they have earned to fire victims and firefighters.
Some commentators pointed out that televising the ceremony brought in essential advertising revenue that could be donated to the victims. Others pointed out how people who rely on these ceremonies for a living could suffer.
“Awards season provides essential work for many people: makeup artists, drivers, stylists, editors and countless others behind the scenes. Rather than canceling these events, perhaps we could find ways to both raise money and awareness while keeping the industry running,” makeup artist Benjamin Puckey wrote in a comment on the publication.
Similarly, Arquette wrote on Instagram that the Oscars should be turned into “the biggest telethon in the world,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The Recording Academy has already committed to fundraising during the Grammys broadcast in addition to its initial $1 million donation for fire relief.
While the academy has already postponed announcing Oscar nominations and canceled its annual nominees luncheon (donating those funds to wildfire relief), the series itself is reportedly moving forward, with multiple fundraising appeals resonating throughout Los Angeles and beyond.
What Hollywood is often criticized for – the glamorous celebration of film and television – is arguably part of what keeps this city going through this period. Some say celebrating an industry that injected an estimated $43 billion into California’s economy in 2023 shows continued commitment to a vital local resource.
For Kramer and many others, it’s also about courage. “The spirit of Los Angeles and our filmmaking community has always been one of resilience,” he said in the release, “and the Oscars represent not only a celebration of cinema, but also of strength and “industry unity in the face of adversity”.
