Ranking the Late, Great Gilbert Cates's 14 Oscar Ceremonies, From 1990 to 2008
10. 73rd Academy Awards (2001)
Host: Steve Martin
Most Remembered For: Björk's infamous swan dress and Marcia Gay Harden's shocking Suporting Actress upset notwithstanding, it's hard to surpass Julia Roberts waving off "Stick Man" Bill Conti, who dared to commence playing the Best Actress winner off before her acceptance filibuster was finished.
Highlight: Ahem. Imagine Cates backstage, quietly ruing to his aides, "Sweet Jesus, I have seen it all."
9. 75th Academy Awards (2003)
Host: Steve Martin
Most Remembered For: Surprise winner Adrien Brody's overtime tonsil-hockey game with Best Actor presenter Halle Berry.
Highlight: Olivia de Havilland introducing the epic reunion/roll call of living Oscar-winning actors. No embeddable video exists, but you can check it out at the Oscars' YouTube page. I'm fond of the George Chakiris cameo, myself:
8. 69th Academy Awards (1997)
Host: Billy Crystal
Most Remembered For: The historical significance of Saul Zaentz winning his third Best Picture -- -- for The English Patient -- in as many decades. Ha! Kidding. Who can forget Supporting Actor winner Cuba Gooding Jr. losing his shit?
Highlight: Did I mention Cuba Gooding Jr. lost his shit?
Cuba Gooding Jr. Oscar Acceptance Speech by Lilia44540
7. 67th Academy Awards (1995)
Host: David Letterman
Most Remembered For: Two words: "Uma... Oprah." Well, that and Forrest Gump eclipsing Pulp Fiction for the evening's top honors. Another feather in the Academy's cap, there.
Highlight: Theoretically it should be Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary scoring Adapted Screenplay, but come on. Witness again what might be the most cringe-inducing bit of live television Gilbert Cates ever produced:
6. 78th Academy Awards (2006)
Host: Jon Stewart
Most Remembered For: Being the year Crash won Best Picture, thus setting Oscar culture, politics and/or legitimacy back about 50 years.
Highlight: I don't know what was funnier about Three Six Mafia's win for Best Song: Fellow nominee Dolly Parton's slightly overgracious reaction, presenter Queen Latifah's dance-chant, or Stewart's genius follow-up, "For those keeping score, that's Three Six Mafia, one, and Martin Scorsese, zero."
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Comments
I think Stewart's first reaction to Three Six Mafia was even more priceless: "You know what? I think it just got a little easier out here for a pimp!" Also, Three Six Mafia included Cates in their list of thank-yous. We'll miss you, Gil.
Oh man, I love watching all these clips... But how could you not include at least one of those fantastic Debble Allen choreographed dance numbers? Those were a Gil Cates staple!
I agree with putting the 66th ceremony (1994) at the top. SO much stuff happened that year.