George Clooney, Brad Pitt and more sign open letter demanding all the Oscars be shown live


Some of Hollywood's biggest stars are condemning yet another widely-derided Oscars decision.
Brad Pitt, George Clooney and more have signed on to a letter calling for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to give out all the Oscars live, Deadline reports. This letter was published following the Academy's announcement that the awards for cinematography, editing, makeup and hair styling, and live action short films will be given out during commercial breaks at the 2019 Oscars.
"Relegating these essential cinematic crafts to lesser status in this 91stAcademy Awards ceremony is nothing less than an insult to those of us who have devoted our lives and passions to our chosen profession," the open letter says, calling on the Academy to reverse its decision. Among those who have signed on are actors Elizabeth Banks, Jeff Bridges, Sandra Bullock, Jessica Chastain, Robert De Niro, Ryan Gosling, Woody Harrelson, Scarlett Johansson, and Emma Stone, as well as directors Damien Chazelle, Guillermo del Toro, and Alejandro Iñárritu.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The open letter has also been signed by several people who are either nominated at the Oscars this year or will be presenting an award, including Alfonso Cuarón, Spike Lee, and Frances McDormand, leaving open the possibility that one of them might chastise the Academy on stage.
The Academy responded to the letter by blaming "inaccurate reporting" for the backlash, saying that the speeches given by the four winners in these categories will still be edited into the show. But the open letter had taken issue with the idea of the speeches possibly being shortened, citing the Oscars' director as saying only the most "emotionally resonant" moments will be shown. With signatures from people like Pitt and Clooney being added on Thursday, clearly, the Academy's explanation hasn't helped much.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published