Hugh Jackman – Opening Number (2009)
Some kind of opening musical number has become, if not essential, than certainly traditional, usually exemplified by Billy Crystal. They’re usually big production numbers that name-check the big nominees, with a few gags thrown in. Given his status as both a Broadway song-and-dancer and A-list movie star, hopes were high for Hugh Jackman‘s hosting gig in 2009, and he didn’t disappoint, following the Billy Crystal template, but with a topical, handmade recession feel. Penned by, among others, “Community” creator Dan Harmon and “Parks and Recreation” star Ben Schwartz, the song took in the nominees, addressed the controversy that “The Dark Knight” had gone un-nominated, pulled Anne Hathaway on stage to re-enact “Frost/Nixon,” made a surprisingly cutting, electro-scored gag that acknowledged that no one really liked “The Reader,” and closed with Jackman, dressed as Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler,” exclaiming “I’m Wolverine.” Energetic and legitimately funny even when the music was a bit strained, it’s the high watermark of present-day openers.
Jack Black, Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly – “A Comedian At The Oscars” (2008)
Another familiar tradition of late is bringing up big comedy stars—Ben Stiller, Jim Carrey et al.—to do a bit for the smaller categories, to liven things up mid-show. Having teamed up in 2004 for a fairly funny illustration of the lyrics to the “Get Off The Stage” Oscar song, Will Ferrell and Jack Black returned in 2007 to sing a lament (with music by “Hairspray“/”South Park” composer Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Judd Apatow and Adam McKay) to how comedians are ignored by the Academy Awards. “A comedian at the Oscars is the saddest, bitterest, most alcoholic clown,” begins Ferrell, before Black takes to the stage and challenges Peter O’Toole to a fight. But fortunately, John C. Reilly stands up from the audience, and tells them that “you can be in both Boogie and Talladega Nights.” It’s an ingenious and totally winning bit—how have these guys never hosted together?
Bruce Springsteen – “Streets Of Philadelphia” from “Philadelphia” (1994)
Musical legends from Michael Jackson to Madonna have all had their moments on stage at the Oscars (and Sting has done it like fourteen fucking times). But our personal favorite might be the Boss. His theme tune to Jonathan Demme‘s AIDS drama “Philadelphia” isn’t at the top of the Springsteen canon, but the moody, synthy ballad was a deserving winner, and the performance was a great one, free of gimmicks, and just letting the songwriting, and Bruce’s voice, sing out. Sure, the backing vocalist who looks like a bodyguard undermines the whole thing a bit, but it’s leagues better than most performances in the last couple of decades.
Wow came on here thinking sooner or later by madonna would be in top spot and dont see it and funny enough the firdt comment i read even mentions that performance
Wrong!
'we saw your boobs' was the best musical number I've ever seen at the oscars.
The raw emotion of Reba singing "I'm checking out" just a week after her band died, that is as great of a performance as you can get.
Beyoncé singing "Voir Sur Ton Chemin" from Les Choristes is atrocious. Why they didn't have the boys choir sing it, or anybody that had a decent french accent, is beyond me.
http://youtu.be/haswc0OKDpY
Last year's ensemble performance of the Les Miserables medley that brought the house down and the audience to standing ovation was as good as it gets.
For me, the worst and the best performances occurred for the same song — "Al Otro Lado Del RÃo" from The Motorcycle Diaries in 2005.
First, you had Antonio Banderas and Carlos Santana mauling this sweet contemplative tune when they performed it as a nominee (http://youtu.be/LC0ROEfEvfY). Then composer/singer Jorge Drexler showed them how it should have been done, singing a few bars as his acceptance speech-cum-protest when he won the Oscar later in the show (http://youtu.be/YPSxbWwI7A4?t=1m29s).
Santana and Antonio Banderas singing Al Oltro Lado Del Rio (which is a great song) was pretty terrible as well
The 10 minute long number called "I Wanna Be An Oscar Winner" from the 61st Oscars, featuring Ricki Lake, Corey Feldman, Patrick Dempsey, Chad Lowe and so so many more. It's excruciating.
Falling Slowly was just lovely. Best song winner ever. Streets of Philadelphia was great too.
Madonna performing Sooner or Later was the best, it was a total Hollywood moment which the oscars are all about.
Frozen’s “Let It Go” I think is by far one of the worst performances! Hahahaha. It was so painful to watch!