The Academy Awards always have great speeches. Here are 15 of our favorites.
The Academy Awards have always been a great place for great speeches.
Over the years, we’ve seen incredible outpourings of gratitude mixed in with unforgettable exclamations of jubilee. Heck, we’ve even seen someone do push-ups.
We’ve tallied 15 of our favorite speeches from over the years, ranging from ones by actors like Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Denzel Washington and Robin Williams.
While this list is by no means exhaustive, it’s a reflection of what makes for a great Oscars speech and some admiration for some of our favorite Academy Award moments.
Sit back, relax and get those Academy Awards memories going.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s court victory was never about the money.
The bizarre trial involving actress Gwyneth Paltrow that has saturated the news cycle in recent weeks has come to an end. In case you somehow missed it, here’s a quick rundown on what’s been going on. Former optometrist Terry Sanderson sued the 50-year-old Goop founder and Oscar winner over a skiing accident that occurred in 2016 in Park City, Utah. Sanderson claimed Paltrow bowled him over on the slopes, sending him flying, which he said led to a concussion and losing the ability to enjoy things like wine-tasting.
Paltrow — who countersued for just $1 in addition to legal fees — claimed it was Sanderson that ran into her, causing her to lose “half a day of skiing.”
Ultimately, Paltrow was cleared of all fault in the incident, but why was she awarded only $1 in damages?
Paltrow said in court it was “symbolic” — meaning money was not the reason for the countersuit, but clearing her name. It was noted during the trial that $1 is also the amount that Taylor Swift asked for and received in a 2017 sexual assault trial against David Mueller, after the former radio personality groped her at a promotional photo shoot. Sanderson’s attorney Kristin VanOrman grilled Paltrow on the stand about whether her $1 ask was inspired by Swift and pressed her on whether they had a close friendship.
“I would not say we are good friends,” said the Iron Man and Shakespeare in Love star. “We are friendly. I’ve taken my kids to one of her concerts before, but we don’t talk very often.”
On her Instagram story, Paltrow shared her thoughts after the ruling, posting: “I felt that acquiescing to a false claim compromised my integrity. I am pleased with the outcome and I appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.”
It’s lipstick wishes and deodorant dreams—with a candle chaser.
Ahead of the brand’s Super Bowl commercial that will air during the game on February 13, Uber Eats has revealed a teaser trilogy featuring actresses Jennifer Coolidge and Gwyneth Paltrow and “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah.
In a one-eighty from your typical takeout, the three spots waste little time raising eyebrows and tilting heads while sprinkling in a few dashes of cringing and squinting for just the right amount of…oof, no, don’t eat that. (Fitting, of course, when considering the online food ordering company has titled the sneak peeks: “Uber Don’t Eats.”)
This will be the brand’s follow-up act to its Super Bowl commercial debut in 2021, which was an impressive showing that featured a mashup of nostalgia and pop-culture present with Wayne and Garth, and Cardi B.
That big game ad finished 21st in the Ad Meter ratings.
As for 2022?
Even at the hefty price tag of $6.5 million for 30 seconds of possible fame, it’s shaping up to be an increasingly competitive group of national ads. The glaring vacancies from last year are now filled with many of the ones that sat out in 2021, creating a mix of newcomers and iconic brands.
But while much of the hoopla in the coming week will be highly focused on the talent in front of the camera, don’t overlook Uber Eat’s Sophomore campaign from behind it.
The brand tapped writer-director Jake Szymanski, who has a list of credits—”Saturday Night Live,” “Funny or Die,” and even features like “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates”—to back a reputation for bringing out the humor in his work.
In an advertising game that passes or fails on the ability to effectively deliver the punchline in a crunch, that type of sketch background makes for an intriguing element.
