The Oscar overseers made the most out of the Academy Awards going host-less for the first time since 1989 by recruiting the current lineup of Queen, the band featured in the global blockbuster “Bohemian Rhapsody,” to open the show.
They brought the glittery crowd to their feet as “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert, filling in since 2011 for late singer Freddie Mercury (played in the film by newly minted Best Actor Rami Malek), wailed shortened versions of such golden oldies as “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions.” Lambert alongside original guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor concluded their performance with an image of Mercury in front of a cascade of crystals. All three music makers have cameos in the film, Lambert as a sexy trucker and May and Taylor hanging out in the rafters during the closing Live Aid concert.
SEE Who’s that sexy trucker who flirts with Freddie in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’?
Though their appearance on Hollywood’s big night was short yet sweet, 73% of the respondents to our poll said that they found the cold-opening performance to be a great way to refresh a 91-year-old tradition — especially since “Bohemian Rhapsody” turned out to be the big winner of the night with four statuettes. In addition to Malek’s win, it took film editing, sound editing and sound mixing. Its only loss — Best Picture, won by “Green Book.”
SEE 2019 Oscars: Full list of winners (and losers) at the 91st Academy Awards
They also much preferred the rousing opening act to a host cracking jokes at the expense of the nominated talent. However, 12% groused that the Oscars shouldn’t turn into the Grammys. And 14% hope the Oscars revive the use of a host.
Our candid-till-it-hurts forum participants during the show were somewhat less kind than those who took the poll. A sampling:
bicth: “I was gonna applaud them for keeping the performance short, little did I know it’s a fucking medley.”
kellis: “The nominees got cut down to 90 seconds for this? Am I at the Grammys? I honestly should just do my theory paper.”
ospencer: “I fucking hate Brian May and honestly this feels extremely unnecessary”
Atypical: “Oh it’s a medley. :-/ Huge moment for Adam Lambert tho.”
aahoto: “If it’s not Freddie then I don’t give a crap. Move on.”
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