to the editor: The Oscar ceremony was good, as was Conan O'Brien's performance as host (“'One Battle After Another' wins best picture at the 2026 Oscars” March 15). It's probably no surprise that Battle After Battle, with 13 nominations, was able to take home six of those Oscars.
Other aspects of the program affected me, specifically the in memoriam part. In previous years, these segments typically lasted between five and seven minutes and always (and I mean always), people complained that the Academy's list of tributes was too short. However, because some big stars sadly left us last year, this in memoriam segment lasted almost 15 minutes. Rob Reiner, Robert Redford and Diane Keaton received extensive tributes from Billy Crystal, Barbra Streisand and Rachel McAdams, respectively.
Although the segment was extended, the following were unfortunately left off the list during the broadcast: Richard Chamberlain, Will Hutchins, Ruth Buzzi, Joe Don Baker, George Wendt, Loretta Swit, Harris Yulin, Brian Wilson, Connie Francis, Hulk Hogan, Loni Anderson, June Lockhart, May Britt, Richard Dimitri and Brigitte Bardot. Some of those people weren't movie stars per se, but they had an impact, would be easily recognized, and should have been included.
I noticed that there were an excessive amount of commercials during the show. If only a small part of those publicity annoyances had been removed, these unrecognized people might have been seen and perhaps a short prayer could have been quietly said for them.
Bill Spitalnick, Newport Beach
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to the editor: It was disappointing that at this year's Oscars few artists used this global platform to address the pressing issues facing the world and our country. At a time when public voices matter, the silence was conspicuous and disheartening.
This was especially surprising given the subject matter of the best picture winner, “One Battle After Another,” which specifically addresses abuses of power, white nationalism and the power of resistance. The film invites conversation, but that opportunity was largely ignored onstage.
Awards ceremonies have long been platforms not only for celebration, but also for reflection and awareness. In the spirit of Rob Reiner, I hoped for more courage from our entertainment community.
Patricia Perez, Los Angeles
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to the editor: Substituting name and reason for appearance in parentheses, I repeat the correct words of the eloquent Paddy Chayefsky from 48 years ago: “I would like to say, in my personal opinion of course, that I am sick and tired of people using the occasion of the Academy Awards to propagate their own personal political propaganda. I would like to suggest to [Javier Bardem] that [his presenting] An Academy Award is not a pivotal moment in history, it does not require a proclamation and a simple [‘good evening’] “It would have been enough.”
Richard Agay, Los Angeles
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to the editor: They say that humor is a tragedy with the passage of time, but it is possible that certain events will never be funny no matter how long they have passed. The skit at Sunday's Academy Awards in which O'Brien is made the “host for life” and then killed by venting poison gas from the ceiling was a stark reminder of the way many of the more than 6 million Jews were executed during the Holocaust.
I found this weak attempt at humor insensitive, inappropriate, and insulting to the precious memories of those who were exterminated in such a way during World War II. Even if it were an homage to “Battle After Battle,” of the many ways O'Brien could have been “killed” in the play, the Academy's producers and writers couldn't have chosen a worse one.
Barry S. Rubin, Beverly Hills
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to the editor: I'm confused. Please clarify this for me: How can a film get a record 16 nominations and win for best original screenplay, actor, cinematography and soundtrack? No win best picture? It doesn't make sense that “Sinners” didn't take the top prize.
Is the Academy so in love with Leonardo DiCaprio that they will reward him and everything he does with awards they don't deserve?
What a shame, Academy, what a shame.
Kathleen McCord, Encinitas
