Many people tolerate it, most people avoid it, but the annual Hollywood panegyric affair that is The Academy Awards is something of a touchstone on the annual calendar. Even with diminishing ratings over the years, the Oscars still shows up as one of the few programs to break through the NFL’s ratings blockade on broadcast TV, so it still holds some shelf space in the national culture.

Yes, the program delivered much in the way of expected proselytizing and political lectures - amid pro-Palestine protests in the limousine lanes. This year’s fashionable virtue-signaling adornment was the smattering of red pins seen disrupting the flow of the designer ensembles. These are the symbols from the activist organization Artists 4 Ceasefire, the neutered effort to lend their name to a long list of celebrities wanting to halt the Israel-Hamas war. (I looked, but saw no notable names wearing Artists Call to Return The Hostages pin in a similar fashion.)

The host was once again Jimmy Kimmel, since the show was held on ABC, and that network continues to foist their late-night host on America. His opening monologue was considerably weak. He bantered with celebrities in expected fashion but had nothing of real import to say, and his jokes were as tepid as his talk show monologues. (Movies are so long this year, amiright? I had my mail delivered to the theater!) The closest he came to biting commentary is when he pandered by noting that the star and director of “Barbie” were not being nominated, and when it was met with applause, he pointed out that they are the same people who provide the nominations.

But while Kimmel was mostly a non-factor the production managed to get a few things right. For starters, the ceremony began an hour earlier than usual, at 7:00 pm EST, so it did not conclude into the stretches of the night. Another good idea was to allow for more merriment, in that it was not the usual self-serious affair and made room for more mirthful moments. Maybe these stood out amid the self-serving platitudes during the acceptance speeches, but overall, it worked. Here were some of the better moments.

The Power of the Dog

One simple move was to have the dog Messi from the movie “Anatomy Of A Fall” seated in the auditorium. At one applause point they cut to Messi and had a pair of prop paws used to make it appear the charismatic canine was clapping. It was a simple gag, but it delivered the mirth and showed how this was not just a tepid night of lectures.

Messi in the audience at the #Oscars.
pic.twitter.com/RwFUCRhRyL

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 10, 2024

Body Of Work

John Cena made a stark appearance, literally coming out stark naked. It might have been a touch desperate to do so for presenting the category of Best Wardrobe, but Cena has shown himself to have good comedic chops and he dedicated himself to the bit, selling what would have otherwise been a flopped gambit.

A naked John Cena and Jimmy Kimmel bicker on stage at the 2024 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/1JYd5qth6F

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 11, 2024

Bringing the Thunder Lizard

After 70 years as a movie franchise, the Japanese monster property won its first-ever Oscar for special effects in the largely hailed “Godfzilla Plus One.” The production crew in attendance had all of the proper fun at the ceremony.

The "Godzilla Plus One" crew had the proper vibe for The #Oscars:
They carried the titular action figures, and they sported matching dino claw footwear. pic.twitter.com/JBK8dHieaM

— Brad Slager: Flips On The Highbeams In Fog Of War (@MartiniShark) March 11, 2024

Hollywood Econ-101

In his acceptance for Best Original Screenplay for “American Fiction,” writer Cord Jefferson had a proposal most could get behind: Studios should take fewer risks with $200 million films and instead use that cash to make 20 $10 million films.

#AmericanFiction writer Cord Jefferson wins best adapted screenplay at the 2024 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/APq1TBG0eL

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 10, 2024

One Last Hit on the Hits

Two of the biggest films were out last summer, as “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” were conjoined as a theater event for many people. To give a nod to the Barbenheimer phenomenon, the stars from each film - Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling - had a fun interlude before giving a presentation to the stunt performers in the industry. In displaying a willingness to put celebrity gloss aside and have fun at his own expense, Gosling has positioned himself as one of the cooler personalities in the industry.

"I'm just happy we can finally put this Barbenheimer rivalry behind us." Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt joke on stage at the #Oscars. https://t.co/UNgGySGz3r pic.twitter.com/QAXcIeeZ9W

— Variety (@Variety) March 11, 2024

Iron Man Constitution

A nice revision to the ceremony was having five past winners in the acting categories presenting together, each giving a monologue regarding one nominee. Sam Rockwell introduced Robert Downey Jr. and brought up his “Tropic Thunder” role, mentioning he stays in character until the DVD commentary.

The ironclad lock for the win was Downey, who IS the coolest figure in Hollywood, and he was expectantly funny and self-depricating as he accepted the win. Downey seems like someone who has spent his life in the industry and gets just how shallow the whole affair is, still taking his work seriously while understanding how little else in entertainment is serious business.

There will be a movie made one day of just Robert Downey Jr. acceptance speeches and interviews. https://t.co/6jqbtB27zu

— Brad Slager: Flips On The Highbeams In Fog Of War (@MartiniShark) March 11, 2024

It Was a Dark Night

While presenting for Best Special Effects, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, and Michael Keaton had a good Batman moment. 

I love this moment between Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito and Michael Keaton at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/2ZCvITnr1V

— Sarah O'Connell (@SarahO_Connell) March 11, 2024

The Hosting Audition

Many came away with the assumption that comedian John Mulaney should be the next host when he gave an abbreviated stand-up routine while presenting for Best Sound. He noted the importance of sound to films by giving a backhand compliment to the biggest bomb of this year, “Madame Web,” and then launched into a lengthy description of “Field of Dreams” that was well done. He managed to make Jimmy Kimmel appear even smaller as a result.

The best part of the #Oscars was John Mulaney. Just have him host and do stand-up for the whole four hours. pic.twitter.com/Enme9S3TUp

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) March 11, 2024

Creating Kendimonium

Probably the biggest point of the night - apart from the trophies handed out - came when Gosling performed the nominated Best Song, “I’m Just Ken,” and he sold it perfectly. What is actually a weak song was delivered hilariously with an over-the-top production and his straight-faced delivery, complete with background dancers replicating the famous Marilyn Monroe “Diamonds” routine, Slash from Guns ‘N Roses, and culminating with him serenading with his female co-stars in the seats.

Ryan Gosling and the cast of "Barbie" perform "I'm Just Ken" at the #Oscars. https://t.co/UNgGySGz3r pic.twitter.com/00hd0Jw8cy

— Variety (@Variety) March 11, 2024

It was still an overlong affair, and there was plenty in the form of perfunctory platitudes delivered, all of it from the Left, of course. It was an arduous night but overall far less painful than normal, with some actual enjoyment to be seen at times.

Oh, right - the awards. As expected, “Oppenheimer” won most of the important trophies, which seemed both inevitable and appropriate. It is not often a crowd-pleaser like this one - $330 million domestic and over $950 million global - also wins Best Picture, so count this as a good year.