From Gaga to 'Green Book': The best and worst Oscar moments of the night

We're still confused.
 By  Alison Foreman and Proma Khosla  on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Even without a host, the 2019 Oscars managed to be simultaneously entertaining, infuriating, insipid, and bizarre. For the most part, the good seemed to outweigh the bad, but the bad was divisive and confusing.

We can explain.

BEST: Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler

This powerhouse trio of SNL alumni were the first presenters to take the stage, emphasizing that they were not hosts (and making us wish they were). They delighted in puns about the nominated movies, including such gems as “Hey Chadwick Boseman, Wakanda plans you got later?” Rudolph even took a crack at Lady Gaga’s iconic “Shallow” riff right in front of the star, and may we just say – she nailed it!

BEST: All the Marvel love

From Chris Evans fist pumping for Black Panther's Best Production Design win to Michelle Yeoh twirling with glee for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to Captain Marvel's Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson happily bantering as they presented their awards, to Black Panther's THREE Oscars, it was quite a night for Marvel fans and their beloved films.

WORST: Best Hair & Makeup Acceptance Speech

It’s not Best Makeup and Hairstyle winners Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia DeHaney’s’ fault that their speech was so disjointed and slow...except it kind of is? The idea of sharing a speech is fair enough in theory given the Oscars’ history of cutting off groups of winners before one person has even finished speaking. Unfortunately, the trio struggled to execute, leading to awkward pauses and that dreaded playback music they were trying to avoid. This one requires some rehearsal before we try it again.

BEST: That "Shallow" performance

We're off the deep end.

BEST: Melissa McCarthy as Olivia Colman, covered in rabbits

The breathtaking work of The Favourite and Mary Poppins Returns costume designer Sandy Powell earned her two nominations for Best Costume Design, as well as a delightful nod from category presenter Melissa McCarthy. Dressed in a lavish gown covered in a few dozen toy rabbits, McCarthy gave her own spin on Best Actress winner Olivia Colman’s Queen Anne costume from The Favourite. Ultimately, the category went to Black Panther costume designer Ruth Carter.

WORST: Hearing the same Queen riff over and over

How does music licensing work for the Oscars telecast? Could ABC not afford more than 15 seconds of Queen’s entire discography? They were already there...couldn't Queen just come out and sing each time??

BEST: Spike Lee climbing Samuel L. Jackson like a koala on a tree

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

This was Lee's first year as an on-air Oscar winner after decades of acclaimed filmmaking, and he received the Best Original Screenplay award from longtime friend and collaborator Jackson. They hugged and cheered on stage, and for a moment all was well.

WORST: Everything about Green Book

Hey, uh, what? Green Book was an objectively well-made movie, but drew scrutiny for sanitizing and sanctifying the relationship between its central characters. The producers were criticized by Doc Shirley's family for distorting facts. An old tweet from writer and producer Nick Vallelonga revealed troubling anti-Muslim conspiracy rhetoric, and here's a sexually predatory anecdote about the director.

Mashable Image
Proma Khosla

Proma Khosla is a Senior Entertainment Reporter writing about all things TV, from ranking Bridgerton crushes to composer interviews and leading Mashable's stateside coverage of Bollywood and South Asian representation. You might also catch her hosting video explainers or on Mashable's TikTok and Reels, or tweeting silly thoughts from @promawhatup.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Turn ideas into a book faster with Aivolut AI Book Creator for $118.99
Laptop on desk

The best and worst moments from the 2026 Oscars
Michael B. Jordan wins the Oscar for Best Actor

Super Bowl 2026: When Green Day performs, how to watch live
Tré Cool, Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt of Green Day perform onstage during The FanDuel Party Powered by Spotify 2026

Green Day's Super Bowl performance did the unexpected
Green day performing on stage

Lady Gaga tells women in music to 'fight for your ideas' in Grammys speech
Lady Gaga accepts the award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the Grammys.

More in Entertainment

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

You can track Artemis II in real time as Orion flies to the moon
Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman piloting the Orion spacecraft

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 2, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!