The 73rd Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards was a night of laughter and fun, as the audience was entertained by Patton Oswalt's witty and hilarious remarks about Timothée Chalamet's controversial comments about ballet and opera. Oswalt, who hosted the MPSE ceremony for the fourth consecutive year in Los Angeles, kicked off the festivities that celebrated sound design with a hilarious monologue.
The comedian's jokes began with a quip that called attention to the ongoing debate surrounding Chalamet's controversial statement made last month during a Variety and CNN town hall. The actor had told Matthew McConaughey that he would not want to be involved in an art form that "no one cares about" and is struggling to stay alive, citing ballet and opera as examples.
"Thank God we're here to celebrate achievement in sound editing and not watching ballet or the opera," Oswalt said, adding with a laugh, "Thank God we are actually watching something that deserves to be alive."
The jokes were met with plenty of laughter from the audience, in addition to some groans. The host then noted, "He said it after they were done voting. He's fine. He's safe."
Chalamet's incendiary remarks were made at the University of Texas at Austin on Feb. 24, but clips of this particular segment did not make the rounds on social media until Thursday, the day Oscar voting closed. Despite the controversy, Chalamet is a nominee for the best actor Academy Award for his lead role in Marty Supreme, heading into this Sunday's Oscar ceremony.
Oswalt's monologue also featured other topical remarks, including a reference to President Donald Trump's name having been added to the facade of the Kennedy Center. "It's great to be here at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre – or any theater that Trump hasn't stuck his name on," the Goat voice star said about the ceremony's L.A. venue.
The host also referenced the L.A.-based restaurant chain Zankou Chicken – known for serving Armenian and Lebanese cuisine – when mentioning the recent attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel. "Rumor has it that if Iran wins, this place is going to be renamed the Zankou Chicken Center for the Recording Arts," Oswalt said, adding, "That one might have been too soon."
Overall, the night was a hilarious success, with Oswalt's wit and humor providing a much-needed dose of entertainment amidst the serious business of celebrating sound design excellence in the film industry.
