And the winner is...
Jonathan Ross on hosting ITV’S coverage of Hollywood’s biggest night of the year...
Q Which film is your pick to win Best Picture? A I have been a little mystified at the praise heaped on Oppenheimer and Killers of the Flower Moon,
I’m not huge on those two. I love Poor Things and American Fiction, and I thought Anatomy of a Fall was incredible. I suspect it’ll go to Oppenheimer – as you get older, you realise that just because a film isn’t for you, it doesn’t mean it isn’t good!
Q And who do you think will take home Best Actor and Best Actress?
A I think Paul Giamatti will get Best Actor for The Holdovers – he’s really well-loved and it’s a tremendous performance – but Cillian Murphy is in with a good chance for Oppenheimer. I think Best Actress will go to Lily Gladstone for Killers of the Flower Moon. Her performance was stunning – without her in the film, it’s nothing in my opinion.
Q US comedian Jimmy Kimmel is hosting the ceremony. What do you think he brings to the proceedings?
A He’s an interesting choice because he’s edgy enough to make it interesting and fun. He’s a safe pair of hands, but not too safe. Q What are your favourite Oscars memories? A There was a night where Sir Michael Caine, Sir Roger Moore and Sir Sean Connery joined each other on stage – that was a lovely moment and captured such a period in film history.
They’re all British stars, so that was amazing to see. And Olivia Colman’s victory speech [in 2019] was wonderful, when she blew the raspberry at the man trying to hurry her off the stage! Q Which films do you watch over and over again? A Fun action films like The Bourne Identity and Bond movies. I love romcoms: Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and Julie & Julia, which is amazing. And 70s films: I watch Three Days of the Condor on a regular basis, and I love Marathon Man.
Q This is going to be a late night for you! How are you preparing?
A I’m going to try to have a restful day – maybe have a mid-afternoon nap, and get plenty of coffee!