Oscar Controversy: New Details Emerge About Dramatically Overhauled Ceremony

Susie may not be done with Clayton after all. At the conclusion of Monday night's episode of , fans got a sneak peek look at the second part of the season's two-part finale, in which Clayton grapples with his feelings for the one who got away.During part one of the season finale, Clayton convinced Gabby and Rachel not to leave the show when they learned that Susie did just that because he was in love with three women and had been intimate with two.Both Gabby and Rachel met Clayton's parents and brothers to successful results, but despite that, Clayton couldn't stop thinking about Susie, and told host Jesse Palmer that he wants «one more shot» with the wedding videographer.In the preview for Tuesday's finale, Clayton reiterates those feelings, saying, «I have fallen in love with two women, but I can’t stop thinking about Susie.»With that in mind, Jesse has a conversation with Susie, telling her, «I think he really regrets how it ended.

Clayton Davis Belfast native Ciarán Hinds finally received the recognition he’s deserved with an Oscar nomination for his role in the Focus Features picture “Belfast.” Hinds’ career has spanned over 120 films and television series, but he tells Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast that knew when he began to read writer and director Kenneth Branagh’s script for “Belfast” that he wanted to be a part of it.On this episode, Hinds talks about the impressive career that has seen him share the screen with the likes of Andrew Garfield and Daniel Day-Lewis and working under the guidance of master filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson and Steven Spielberg, whom he reunited with at this year’s Oscar nominees luncheon. He also discusses what it was like to work with an outstanding cast that included Caitriona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan and the young Jude Hill.

Claudia Eller Co-Editor-in-ChiefThe latest prediction from our film awards maven Clayton Davis is that coming-of-age drama “CODA” will run away with the best picture Oscar at the March 27 ceremony.I have to say that would be awfully fabulous given that everyone — me included — loves a little-engine-that-could underdog story, and this feel-good, scrappy movie filmed in a short amount of time certainly fits that bill. A remake of an award-winning French film, “La Famille Bélier,” the story, written and directed by Siân Heder, centers on the only hearing member of a deaf family (played by Emilia Jones) who’s torn between pursuing her passion for music and her fear of abandoning her family’s fishing business.

Viva Las Vegas! The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards comes to Sin City on Sunday, March 7, to honor the brightest stars in the genre, and the full list of nominees and winners is jam-packed with celebs.

Clayton Davis Will Packer, the producer of this year’s Oscars telecast, has responded to the artisans community’s outcry about the decision to pre-record eight craft categories.During an interview with Variety, the Hollywood producer behind box office hits like “Girls Trip” says he is setting out to make a fun and engaging telecast for all viewers, while sharing he has the utmost respect and compassion for all artisans in the industry. Still, he stands by the decision to pre-tape eight categories and weave them into the live telecast.“I think it was the right decision,” Packer says.

Clayton Davis Aunjanue Ellis was content being a journeywoman actor in the business and providing for her family — but now the acclaim is pouring in.And yes, that includes an Oscar nomination for her role as Oracene ‘Brandy’ Williams in Reinaldo Marcus Green’s “King Richard.” On the latest episode of the award-winning Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, we talk to Ellis about what it feels like to now be an Academy Award nominated actress, which she still can’t say out loud. She discusses her experience with working with double Oscar-nominee Will Smith (for best picture and actor) and the difference between his “lore” and the “good person” she was privileged to work with, in addition to her cast members.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterMary J. Blige’s iconic ’90s song “Real Love” is being turned into a Lifetime movie, with the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul executive producing the made-for-TV film.One of her most beloved and memorable tracks, “Real Love” was Blige’s first song to hit the Top 10 and was certified gold two months after its release in 1992.Per Lifetime, in the coming-of-age romantic drama “Real Love,” Kendra sets off on her own for the first time to a college in upstate New York, determined to focus on her studies.

The reasons why Cain Velasquez allegedly perpetrated a shooting in San Jose on Monday are becoming more clear.

Clayton Davis As one Oscar season comes to a close, another opens (at least to speculation) with Matt Reeves’ newest take on the Batman franchise starring Robert Pattinson, Jeffrey Wright, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano and Colin Farrell.The director and co-writer (along with Peter Craig) delivers a dark take on the world’s greatest detective as he battles villains the Riddler, the Penguin and (sorta, but not really) Catwoman. Receiving positive reviews from critics, will this new take on the Caped Crusader land major Oscar attention —  including best picture — following in the footsteps of “Black Panther” (2017) and “Joker” (2019)?But with a limited sense of what the rest of 2022 will have to offer the cinematic landscape, there are certainly two spots well worth considering “The Batman” for recognition: cinematography and original score.

Clayton Davis Will Smith and Jessica Chastain walked away with leading actor and actress statuettes for their performances in “King Richard” and “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” at the SAG Awards. Their success has catapulted the two to the forefront of their respective Oscar races, which could create a first in Academy Awards history.

Clayton Davis The SAG Awards may have signaled a shift in the Oscar season and the switch of support for the streamers.After landing 12 Oscar nominations, Netflix’s “The Power of the Dog” looked to be the odds-on favorite to win best picture, a prize the streamer has coveted since its historic run for “Roma” (2018). However, the streaming giant went home empty-handed on the film side of the house, just one year after becoming the second studio to garner the most nominations for ensemble with three.Apple Original Films’ “CODA” had a momentous evening, winning cast ensemble and supporting actor for Troy Kotsur, who’s the first deaf actor ever to be nominated and win.

Clayton Davis Kodi Smit-McPhee has maintained a stronghold this awards season for his work as Peter Gordon in Netflix’s “The Power of the Dog,” winning the most critics prizes, including the Golden Globe for best supporting actor. However, he doesn’t take his acting craft for granted and is still learning with each new outing.“I always treat myself as a student, not only my craft but of the world,” McPhee tells Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast. “I’m in a constant state of observing and acting like a sponge and taking everything in.

Clayton Davis Jessica Chastain’s nod as Tammy Faye Bakker in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” marks her Oscar third nomination — yet she says this awards season is a bit of a refreshing experience. That’s because the award is no longer overshadowed by some of the ugly campaign tactics employed by the likes of Harvey Weinstein — the disgraced studio head convicted in 2020 of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault (whom Chastain doesn’t reference by name).On this episode of Variety’s award-winning Awards Circuit Podcast, we talk to Chastain about “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” and her approach to portraying the controversial televangelist. She reveals what lies ahead via upcoming film roles including playing Tammy Wynette in the forthcoming “George and Tammy” limited series, Tobias Lindholm’s “The Good Nurse” and Rawson Marshall Thurber’s “The Division.” The actor also discusses her friendship with fellow Julliard classmate Oscar Isaac, whom she’s worked with on several films and tv projects.

Clayton Davis On Tuesday afternoon, it was reported that eight categories would not be presented on the live broadcast of this year’s 94th Oscars ceremony. The social media and industry reaction was swift and brutal from industry members and awards watchers, but some of the instant backlash was due to a lack of understanding of the process and how it will roll out.Are the categories being removed from the Oscars ceremony?No. The 94th ceremony will begin one hour earlier for in-person attendees, with the full presentation of nominees, winners and speeches from the eight selected categories of documentary short, film editing, makeup and hairstyling, original score, production design, animated short, live action short and sound.

Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy‘s clash on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road will go down as one of the most talked about feuds in Hollywood.

Clayton Davis You can find strange similarities between almost any two years for Oscar prognosticating. Just days away from the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards and three weeks out from BAFTA and Critics Choice ceremonies, there are odd correlations between this year’s crop of nominees and the ceremony that rewarded the 1952 cinematic year.Denis Villeneuve’s omission from best director for the sci-fi drama “Dune” was the most shocking when Oscar nominations were announced.

Clayton Davis Lin-Manuel Miranda is ecstatic about the success of the animated feature “Encanto,” and for his second Oscar nomination for original song — this time, for the emotional number “Dos Oruguitas.” However, the performance of the movie’s soundtrack on the music charts has been getting all the headlines, specifically the hit song, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” Miranda doesn’t regret submitting “Dos Oruguitas” rather than “Bruno” for consideration for this year’s Academy Awards. The decision had to be done by Nov.

Clayton Davis The most shocking snub of the Oscar noms was Denis Villeneuve’s omission from the best directing category for his science-fiction epic “Dune.”The film’s 10-nomination haul includes best picture and adapted screenplay, the latter perceived to be its most difficult to attain. Yet, Villeneuve’s lack of recognition for directing could rally widespread support from Academy voters and result in the film tying or surpassing a 50-year record held by “Cabaret” (1972).Bob Fosse’s classic adaptation of the Broadway stage musical set a record at the 45th Academy Awards for the most Oscars received without winning best picture.

Tim Gray Senior Vice PresidentAfter Oscar nominations were announced Feb. 8, the buzz seems equally centered on who was nominated and who wasn’t.There’s an impressive roster of work in both categories.