88th Academy Awards#Films with multiple nominations

The nominees for the 88th Academy Awards were announced on January 14, 2016, at 5:30 a.m. PST (13:30 UTC), at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, by directors Guillermo del Toro and Ang Lee, Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, and actor John Krasinski.{{cite magazine|last=Coggan |first=Devan |title=John Krasinski, Guillermo del Toro, Ang Lee to announce Oscar nominations |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/11/oscars-john-krasinski-guillermo-del-toro-ang-lee |access-date=January 11, 2016 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=January 13, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113181313/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/11/oscars-john-krasinski-guillermo-del-toro-ang-lee |archive-date=January 13, 2016}} The Revenant led all nominees with twelve nominations; Mad Max: Fury Road came in second with ten.{{cite news|last1=Rottenberg |first1=Josh |title=Oscars 2016: 'The Revenant' and 'Mad Max: Fury Road' lead the pack in Oscar nominations |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/la-et-mn-the-revenant-mad-max-fury-road-oscar-nominations-20160114-story.html |access-date=June 16, 2016 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=January 14, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818144737/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/la-et-mn-the-revenant-mad-max-fury-road-oscar-nominations-20160114-story.html |archive-date=August 18, 2016}}

The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on February 28, 2016.{{cite news|last1=Phillips |first1=Michael |title='Spotlight' takes best picture, DiCaprio wins first Oscar |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-oscars-2016-20160228-story.html |access-date=July 14, 2016 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=February 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711093318/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-oscars-2016-20160228-story.html |archive-date=July 11, 2016}} With two Oscars, Spotlight was the first film since 1952's The Greatest Show on Earth to win Best Picture with only one other award.{{cite news|title='Spotlight' Wins Oscar For Best Picture; Pope Challenged By Producer From Stage |url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/spotlight-oscar-winner-best-picture-2016-academy-award-tom-mccarthy-1201710767/ |first=Donald |last=Clarke |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 28, 2016 |access-date=February 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301092119/http://deadline.com/2016/02/spotlight-oscar-winner-best-picture-2016-academy-award-tom-mccarthy-1201710767/ |archive-date=March 1, 2016}} Alejandro G. Iñárritu became the third individual to win two consecutive Oscars for Best Director.{{refn|name=Consecutive win for Director|group=N|The two previous directors to have done so are: John Ford and Joseph L. Mankiewicz}} By virtue of his previous nomination for his portrayal of the titular character in 1976's Rocky, Best Supporting Actor nominee Sylvester Stallone was the sixth person to be nominated for playing the same role in two different films.{{cite news|title=Oscars 2016: Sylvester Stallone is thrilled to be back in Oscar ring after 39 years |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-mn-oscars-2016-sylvester-stallone-returns-to-oscar-ring-after-39-years-20160114-story.html |date=January 14, 2016 |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Susan |last=King |access-date=March 24, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401224137/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-mn-oscars-2016-sylvester-stallone-returns-to-oscar-ring-after-39-years-20160114-story.html |archive-date=April 1, 2016}}

At the age of 87, Ennio Morricone was believed to be the oldest competitive winner in Oscar history.{{refn|name=Oldest Oscar win|group=N|An Academy spokeswoman said, "We do not have this kind of data for the other competitive categories." However she also acknowledged that they have no knowledge of any competitive winner older than 87.}}{{cite news|title=Oscar win at 87 may make Ennio Morricone the oldest winner ever |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-ennio-morricone-oldest-oscar-winner-hateful-eight-20160228-story.html |first=David |last=Ng |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 28, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302015403/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-ennio-morricone-oldest-oscar-winner-hateful-eight-20160228-story.html |archive-date=March 2, 2016}} Having previously won for Gravity and Birdman, Emmanuel Lubezki became the first person to win three consecutive Best Cinematography awards.{{cite news|title=Oscars: Emmanuel Lubezki Becomes First Cinematographer to Win Three Consecutive Academy Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2016-oscars-cinematography-award-goes-869427 |last1=Giardina |first1=Carolyn |last2=Szalai |first2=George |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 28, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302201321/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2016-oscars-cinematography-award-goes-869427 |archive-date=March 2, 2016}}

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double dagger ({{double-dagger}}).{{cite news|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2016 |title=The 88th Academy Awards (2016) Nominees and Winners |access-date=February 23, 2015 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125161918/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2016 |archive-date=January 25, 2016}}

The academy held its 7th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 14, 2015, during which the following awards were presented:

• To Spike Lee, filmmaker, educator, motivator, iconoclast, artist.{{cite news|title=Academy Awards Acceptance Speech Databases: 2015 (88th) Academy Awards |url=http://aaspeechesdb.oscars.org/results.aspx?QY=find%20(year%20term%20ct%202015)&AC=QBE_QUERY&RF=WebReportList&DF=WebReportOscars&MR=0&BU=/index.aspx |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |access-date=March 2, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629143943/http://aaspeechesdb.oscars.org/results.aspx?QY=find%20%28year%20term%20ct%202015%29&AC=QBE_QUERY&RF=WebReportList&DF=WebReportOscars&MR=0&BU=%2Findex.aspx |archive-date=June 29, 2016}}
• To Gena Rowlands, who has illuminated the human experience through her brilliant, passionate and fearless performances.

• Debbie Reynolds {{em-dash}} For her charitable contributions and tireless efforts towards mental health as founding member of The Thalians.{{cite news|url=http://www.oscars.org/news/spike-lee-debbie-reynolds-and-gena-rowlands-receive-academys-2015-governors-awards |title=Spike Lee, Debbie Reynolds And Gena Rowlands To Receive Academy's 2015 Governors Awards |date=August 27, 2015 |access-date=September 1, 2015 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831052936/http://www.oscars.org/news/spike-lee-debbie-reynolds-and-gena-rowlands-receive-academys-2015-governors-awards |archive-date=August 31, 2015}}

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The following individuals, listed in order of appearance, presented awards or performed musical numbers.{{cite news|last1=McDonnell |first1=Brandy |title=Transcript: BAM's Live Blog during the 2016 Academy Awards show |url=http://newsok.com/article/5481418 |access-date=June 12, 2016 |work=The Oklahoman |date=February 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304231641/http://newsok.com/article/5481418 |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Boedeker |first1=Hal |title=Oscars: Chris Rock kills it |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/tv/tv-guy/os-oscars-chris-rock-kills-its-20160228-story.html |access-date=July 31, 2016 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=February 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818063636/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/tv/tv-guy/os-oscars-chris-rock-kills-its-20160228-story.html |archive-date=August 18, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Burlingame |first1=Jon |title=Morricone Wins Oscar Music Gold At Last |url=http://www.filmmusicsociety.org/news_events/features/2016/022916.html |access-date=May 20, 2016 |publisher=The Film Music Society |date=February 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406155948/http://filmmusicsociety.org/news_events/features/2016/022916.html |archive-date=April 6, 2016}}

File:Chris Rock 2014.jpg hosted the 88th Academy Awards.|alt=Picture of actor and comedian Chris Rock in 2012.]]

Due to the mixed reception and lower ratings resulting from the previous year's ceremony, producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan declined to helm the upcoming festivities.{{cite news|last1=Hammond |first1=Pete |title=Oscars: Craig Zadan & Neil Meron Not Returning In 2016; Academy Starts New Producer Search |url=https://deadline.com/2015/03/craig-zadan-neil-meron-not-returning-oscars-2016-producers-1201399124/ |access-date=July 29, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=March 25, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427030100/http://deadline.com/2015/03/craig-zadan-neil-meron-not-returning-oscars-2016-producers-1201399124/ |archive-date=April 27, 2016}} Shortly afterwards, actor Neil Patrick Harris announced that he would not host the Oscars for a second time. In an interview released from The Huffington Post, he said "I don't know that my family nor my soul could take it. It's a beast. It was fun to check off the list, but for the amount of time spent and the understandable opinionated response, I don't know that it's a delightful balance to do every year or even again."{{cite news|last=Bradley |first=Bill |title=Neil Patrick Harris Doesn't Know If His 'Family Or Soul' Could Take Another Oscars |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/neil-patrick-harris-oscars_n_6795084.html |access-date=September 2, 2015 |work=The Huffington Post |date=March 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904000717/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/neil-patrick-harris-oscars_n_6795084.html |archive-date=September 4, 2015}} In September 2015, AMPAS recruited David Hill and Reginald Hudlin as producers of the ceremony.{{cite news|last1=Whipp |first1=Glenn |title=And the Oscar producer job goes to ... David Hill and Reginald Hudlin |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-oscar-producers-20150901-story.html |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 1, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817102353/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-oscar-producers-20150901-story.html |archive-date=August 17, 2016}} "We're delighted to have this talented team on board," AMPAS president Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in a press release announcing the decision, "David is a true innovator with a dynamic personality. His vast experience as a live events producer, coupled with Reginald's energy, creativity and talent as a filmmaker, is sure to make this year's Oscar telecast a memorable one."{{cite news|last1=Kilday |first1=Gregg |title=Oscars: David Hill and Reginald Hudlin to Produce |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-david-hill-reginald-hudlin-819527 |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 1, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819155049/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-david-hill-reginald-hudlin-819527 |archive-date=August 19, 2016}}

The following month, Hill and Hudlin selected actor and comedian Chris Rock to host the 2016 telecast.{{cite news|last1=Yahr |first1=Emily |title=Chris Rock will host 2016 Oscars |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/10/21/chris-rock-will-host-the-2016-oscars/ |access-date=June 12, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 21, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107160141/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/10/21/chris-rock-will-host-the-2016-oscars/ |archive-date=November 7, 2016}} They explained their decision to hire Rock back as host saying, "Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry. Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian — he's done it all. He's going to be a phenomenal Oscar host!" Rock expressed that he was thrilled to be selected to emcee the gala again, commenting, "I'm so glad to be hosting the Oscars, it's great to be back."{{cite web|title=Chris Rock – Your 2016 Oscars Host!|url=http://oscar.go.com/news/oscar-news/chris-rock-officially-announced-to-host-the-88th-oscars-in-2016|publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |date=October 21, 2015|access-date=November 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220095209/http://oscar.go.com/news/oscar-news/chris-rock-officially-announced-to-host-the-88th-oscars-in-2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016}}

The key art and marketing for the ceremony featured the tagline "We all dream in gold", with print advertising featuring photography of past winners. AMPAS chief marketing officer Christina Kounelias explained that it was meant to reflect the Academy Awards as being both "a symbol of excellence but also this idea of 'If you can dream it, you can achieve it'".{{Cite web |last=Nudd |first=Tim |date=2016-01-12 |title=The Academy Unveils a Dreamy Advertising Campaign for This Year's Oscars |url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/academy-unveils-dreamy-advertising-campaign-years-oscars-168961/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609064136/https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/academy-unveils-dreamy-advertising-campaign-years-oscars-168961/ |archive-date=2017-06-09 |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Adweek |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=Matt |date=2016-01-12 |title=Watch: On Oscar Night 'We All Dream in Gold,' 88th Academy Awards Ad Spot, Posters Promise |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/01/watch-on-oscar-night-we-all-dream-in-gold-88th-academy-awards-ad-spot-posters-promise-175305/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=IndieWire |language=en |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301041935/https://www.indiewire.com/2016/01/watch-on-oscar-night-we-all-dream-in-gold-88th-academy-awards-ad-spot-posters-promise-175305/ |url-status=live }}

Several other individuals participated in the production of the ceremony. Radio disc jockey and personality Ellen K served as announcer for the show.{{cite magazine|last1=Caulfield |first1=Keith |title=Ellen K Exits 'On Air With Ryan Seacrest' for Her Own KOST L.A. Show |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6722002/ellen-k-leaves-on-air-with-ryan-seacrest |access-date=June 16, 2016 |magazine=Billboard |date=October 7, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611192639/http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6722002/ellen-k-leaves-on-air-with-ryan-seacrest |archive-date=June 11, 2016}} Byron Phillips and Harold Wheeler were hired as music producer and music director respectively. For a fourth consecutive year Derek McLane returned to design a new set for the show.{{cite web|last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |title=Oscars Name Director, Production Team for Telecast |url=https://www.thewrap.com/oscars-reveal-director-production-team-for-telecast/ |access-date=July 14, 2016 |website=TheWrap |date=February 19, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703143538/http://www.thewrap.com/oscars-reveal-director-production-team-for-telecast/ |archive-date=July 3, 2016}} Fatima Robinson was in charge of choreography for the broadcast. For the first time, the Oscar statuettes were manufactured by Polich Tallix Fine Art Foundry in Rock Tavern, New York.{{cite news|last1=Kilday |first1=Greg |title=Oscar Statuette Gets a Face-Lift |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscar-statuette-gets-a-face-866321 |access-date=April 27, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 16, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505081009/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscar-statuette-gets-a-face-866321 |archive-date=May 5, 2016}} In a further effort to streamline acceptance speeches, dedications were displayed on an on-screen ticker, rather than read by the winner.{{cite news|title=Can the 'thank-you scroll' save Oscar speeches? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/02/25/thank-you-scroll-oscars-telecast/80840490/ |first=Bryan |last=Alexander |work=USA Today |date=February 25, 2016 |access-date=February 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228195632/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/02/25/thank-you-scroll-oscars-telecast/80840490/ |archive-date=February 28, 2016}} Prior to introducing singer Lady Gaga's performance of Best Original Song nominee "Til It Happens to You" from the documentary film The Hunting Ground, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden pleaded with viewers to sign an online pledge supporting "It's On Us" to end campus sexual assault.{{cite news|last1=Mallin |first1=Alexander |title=Vice President Biden Calls on Oscars Audience to Sign Anti-Sexual Assault Pledge |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/vice-president-biden-calls-oscars-audience-sign-anti/story?id=37248031 |access-date=May 10, 2016 |work=ABC News |date=February 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504090900/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/vice-president-biden-calls-oscars-audience-sign-anti/story?id=37248031 |archive-date=May 4, 2016}}

Anohni, the first transgender person to be nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Original Song category boycotted the ceremony because the producers did not consider her to perform the nominated song on stage, stating: "Everyone told me that I still ought to attend, that a walk down the red carpet would still be 'good for my career'. Last night I tried to force myself to get on the plane to fly to LA for all the nominee events, but the feelings of embarrassment and anger knocked me back, and I couldn't get on the plane." She also added: "I imagined how it would feel for me to sit amongst all those Hollywood stars, some of the brave ones approaching me with sad faces and condolences. There I was, feeling a sting of shame that reminded me of America's earliest affirmations of my inadequacy as a transperson. I turned around at the airport and went back home." Other nominees set to perform included Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, The Weeknd and Dave Grohl, who was not a nominee himself.{{Cite web|date=2016-02-26|title=Oscars 2016: Anohni boycotts 'degrading' ceremony|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/26/anohni-boycotts-oscars-ceremony-transgender-diversity|access-date=2021-12-18|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-date=February 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227061808/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/26/anohni-boycotts-oscars-ceremony-transgender-diversity|url-status=live}}

At the time of the nominations announcement on January 14, 2016, the combined gross of the eight Best Picture nominees at the American and Canadian box offices was $607 million, with an average of $75.8 million per film.{{cite web|title=2015 Academy Award Nominations and Winner for Best Picture |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/oscar/chart/?yr=2015&view=fulldetail&p=.htm |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=June 12, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822102231/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/oscar/chart/?yr=2015&view=fulldetail&p=.htm |archive-date=August 22, 2016}} When the nominations were announced on January 14, 2016, The Martian was the highest-grossing film among the Best Picture nominees with $226.6 million in domestic box office receipts. Mad Max: Fury Road was the second-highest-grossing film with $153.6 million; this was followed by Bridge of Spies ($70.7 million), The Revenant ($54.1 million), The Big Short ($44.6 million), Spotlight ($28.8 million), Brooklyn ($22.7 million), and Room ($5.1 million).

Of the top 50 grossing movies of the year, 46 nominations went to 11 films on the list. Only Inside Out (4th), The Martian (8th), Straight Outta Compton (18th), The Revenant (15th), Mad Max: Fury Road (21st), Creed (29th), and Bridge of Spies (42nd) were nominated for Best Picture, Best Animated Feature, or any of the directing, acting, or screenwriting awards. The other top 50 box office hits that earned nominations were Star Wars: The Force Awakens (1st), Cinderella (9th), Spectre (10th), and Fifty Shades of Grey (17th).{{Cite web |title=Domestic Box Office For 2015 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2015/?grossesOption=totalGrosses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108071113/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2015/?grossesOption=totalGrosses |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |access-date=June 12, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}}

Shortly after the nominations were announced, many news media outlets observed that there was a lack of racial diversity amongst the nominees in major categories. For the second consecutive year, all twenty acting nominees and four out of the five directors nominated were Caucasian, despite the Academy president saying the previous year that they would take steps to be more representative of different ethnicities.{{cite news|last1=Keegan |first1=Rebecca |last2=Zeitchik |first2=Steven |title=Oscars 2016: Here's why the nominees are so white -- again |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-all-white-oscar-acting-nominees-20160114-story.html |access-date=June 12, 2016 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 14, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612100254/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-all-white-oscar-acting-nominees-20160114-story.html |archive-date=June 12, 2016}}{{Cite web |agency=The Associated Press |date=2015-01-17 |title=Oscars 2015: Film academy president responds to firestorm over lack of diversity |url=https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2015/01/oscars_2015.html |access-date=2024-03-11 |website=syracuse |language=en |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311003423/https://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/2015/01/oscars_2015.html |url-status=live }} Activist and former attorney April Reign, who was credited with starting the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, tweeted, "It's actually worse than last year. Best Documentary and Best Original Screenplay. That's it. #OscarsSoWhite." She also noted that while the Caucasian screenwriters of the film Straight Outta Compton earned nominations, the African American cast of the film was overlooked.{{cite news|last1=Griggs |first1=Brandon |title=Once again, #OscarsSoWhite |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/14/entertainment/oscars-so-white-protest-nominations-feat/ |access-date=July 31, 2016 |publisher=CNN |date=January 14, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731073854/http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/14/entertainment/oscars-so-white-protest-nominations-feat |archive-date=July 31, 2016}} As a result, the academy was ridiculed again over social media with the aforementioned hashtag.{{cite news|last1=Vincent |first1=Alice |title=#OscarsSoWhite, again: the best tweets on the Oscars' whitest year yet |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/movie-news/oscarssowhite-no-black-nominees-2016/ |access-date=June 12, 2016 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=January 14, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713132047/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/movie-news/oscarssowhite-no-black-nominees-2016/ |archive-date=July 13, 2016}} Moreover, actress Jada Pinkett Smith and director and newly minted Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient Spike Lee announced plans to boycott the ceremony and encouraged others to not watch the telecast in protest of the lack of diversity.{{cite news|title=Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith Call for Oscar Boycott |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/spike-lee-jada-pinkett-smith-oscar-boycott-1201682165/ |access-date=July 30, 2016 |work=Variety |date=January 18, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730045305/http://variety.com/2016/film/awards/spike-lee-jada-pinkett-smith-oscar-boycott-1201682165/ |archive-date=July 30, 2016}} Actor and model Tyrese Gibson and rapper 50 Cent also pressured Chris Rock to drop out of his Oscar hosting duties.{{cite news|last1=Konerman |first1=Jennifer |title=50 Cent, Tyrese Gibson Call for Chris Rock to Step Down as Oscars Host |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/stephen-frears-be-honored-at-915620 |access-date=July 31, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 20, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730154748/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/stephen-frears-be-honored-at-915620 |archive-date=July 30, 2016}}

In response to the criticism, several individuals including AMPAS members voiced their opinions regarding the lack of diversity. Some members defended the academy saying that the nominations are based on performance and merit, not race. Actress Penelope Ann Miller responded to the criticism by stating "I voted for a number of black performers, and I was sorry they weren't nominated. To imply that this is because all of us are racists is extremely offensive. I don't want to be lumped into a category of being a racist because I'm certainly not and because I support and benefit from the talent of black people in this business. It was just an incredibly competitive year."{{cite news|last=Feinberg |first=Scott |title=Academy Members Defend Their Oscar Votes: "To Imply We Are Racists Is Extremely Offensive" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/oscarssowhite-academy-members-defend-oscar-857416 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 20, 2016 |access-date=January 29, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120164715/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/oscarssowhite-academy-members-defend-oscar-857416 |archive-date=January 20, 2016}} In an interview with a French radio station, Best Actress nominee Charlotte Rampling said efforts to stage a boycott of the Oscars were "racist to whites."{{cite news|last1=Donadio |first1=Rachel |title=Charlotte Rampling Says Oscars 'Boycott' Is 'Racist Against Whites' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/23/movies/charlotte-rampling-says-oscars-furor-is-racist-against-whites.html |access-date=July 26, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=January 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708064633/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/23/movies/charlotte-rampling-says-oscars-furor-is-racist-against-whites.html |archive-date=July 8, 2016}} Oscar winning producer Gerald R. Molen commented, "There is no racism except for those who create an issue. That is the worst kind. Using such an ugly way of complaining," He also denounced members criticizing the academy's choices as "spoiled brats."{{cite news|last1=Bond |first1=Paul |title=Oscar-Winning Producer Denounces "Spoiled Brats" Crying "Racism" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscar-winning-producer-denounces-spoiled-858207 |access-date=April 15, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406033830/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscar-winning-producer-denounces-spoiled-858207 |archive-date=April 6, 2016}}

Others agreed that the academy had a diversity problem and supported efforts towards change. Best Supporting Actress winner Lupita Nyong'o wrote, "I am disappointed by the lack of inclusion in this year's Academy Awards nominations. It has me thinking about unconscious prejudice and what merits prestige in our culture." She concluded by saying, "I stand with my peers who are calling for change in expanding the stories that are told and recognition of the people who tell them."{{cite news|last1=Khatchahtourian |first1=Maana |title=Lupita Nyong'o 'Disappointed' With Lack of Oscar Diversity, Calls for Change |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/lupita-nyongo-white-oscars-1201683878/ |access-date=May 25, 2016 |work=Variety |date=January 20, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529065619/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/lupita-nyongo-white-oscars-1201683878/ |archive-date=May 29, 2016}} In a Facebook post, Best Actress winner Reese Witherspoon expressed her frustration with the lack of diversity among the nominees and added, "Nothing can diminish the quality of their work, but these filmmakers deserve recognition. As an Academy member, I would love to see a more diverse voting membership."{{cite magazine|last1=Falcone |first1=Dana Rose |title=Reese Witherspoon would 'love to see a more diverse' Academy voting membership |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/22/oscars-reese-witherspoon |access-date=May 22, 2016 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=January 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603102936/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/22/oscars-reese-witherspoon |archive-date=June 3, 2016}} During an interview with a reporter, President Barack Obama commented on the controversy saying, "I think when everybody's story is told, then that makes for better art. That makes for better entertainment. It makes everybody feel part of one American family. So I think, as a whole, the industry should do what every other industry should do, which is to look for talent, provide opportunity to everybody."{{cite magazine|last1=Rosen |first1=Christopher |title=Barack Obama weighs in on Oscars diversity issue |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/28/oscars-barack-obama |access-date=July 21, 2016 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=January 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511223103/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/28/oscars-barack-obama |archive-date=May 11, 2016}}

A week after the nominations announcement, the academy announced several rules changes regarding membership in hopes of increasing the number of women and non-white members in the membership by 2020. Beginning in 2016, new members would earn Oscar voting privileges for the next ten years. After that time period, those members may retain voting privileges for another ten years if they have remained active in the motion picture industry. Members would earn lifetime voting privileges if they have served three consecutive ten-year voting eligibility terms or have earned or won an Academy Award.{{cite news|url=http://oscar.go.com/news/oscar-news/the-academy-introduces-plan-to-improve-oscar-diversity |title=The Academy Introduces Plan to Improve Oscar Diversity |first=Sarah |last=Huggins |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) |date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=January 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126222645/http://oscar.go.com/news/oscar-news/the-academy-introduces-plan-to-improve-oscar-diversity |archive-date=January 26, 2016}} Issacs justified the academy's decision to overhaul the membership requirements saying, "The Academy is going to lead and not wait for the industry to catch up; these new measures regarding governance and voting will have an immediate impact and begin the process of significantly changing our membership composition."{{cite news|url=http://www.oscars.org/news/academy-takes-historic-action-increase-diversity |title=Academy Takes Historic Action To Increase Diversity |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) |date=January 22, 2016 |access-date=January 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123094038/http://www.oscars.org/news/academy-takes-historic-action-increase-diversity |archive-date=January 23, 2016}} Furthermore, the academy would establish three new governor seats that will be nominated by Isaacs and confirmed by the Board.{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/oscars-diversity-academy-emergency-meeting-1201685630/ |title=Academy Overhauls Membership, Voting Rules to Promote Oscar Diversity |first=Tim |last=Gray |work=Variety |date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=January 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122215745/http://variety.com/2016/film/awards/oscars-diversity-academy-emergency-meeting-1201685630/ |archive-date=January 22, 2016}} However, the academy's actions also include taking away the membership rights of academy members who have not recently worked in the industry, such as actor Bill Mumy and award-winning screenwriter Patricia Resnick. "Replacing sexism and racism with ageism is not the answer," Resnick said.{{cite news| title=Gay Female Oscar Voter to Academy: Don't Kick Me out "to Help You Deal With a Publicity Nightmare| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/gay-female-oscar-voter-academy-860236| work=The Hollywood Reporter| date=January 28, 2016| access-date=February 21, 2020| archive-date=September 18, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918144551/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/gay-female-oscar-voter-academy-860236| url-status=live}}

On the morning of the Oscars, the National Action Network led by civil rights activist Al Sharpton held a protest a few blocks from the Dolby Theatre regarding the Oscar's diversity problems. "You are out of time," Sharpton said in a rebuke to the academy. "We are not going to allow the Oscars to continue. This will be the last night of an all-white Oscars."{{cite news|last1=Johnson |first1=Ted |title=Al Sharpton at Diversity Protest: 'This Will Be the Last Night of an All-White Oscars' |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/al-sharpton-oscars-diversity-protest-1201717537/ |access-date=May 20, 2016 |work=Variety |date=February 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525053137/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/al-sharpton-oscars-diversity-protest-1201717537/ |archive-date=May 25, 2016}} In addition, African-American filmmakers Ryan Coogler and Ava DuVernay held a charity event addressing the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, called #JusticeForFlint, on the same night as the Oscars.{{cite news|last1=McNary |first1=Dave |author-link1=Dave McNary |title=Ava DuVernay, Ryan Coogler to Headline Flint Benefit on Oscars Night |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/ava-duvernay-ryan-coogler-flint-oscar-night-event-1201712969/ |access-date=May 22, 2016 |work=Variety |date=February 23, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512004017/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/ava-duvernay-ryan-coogler-flint-oscar-night-event-1201712969/ |archive-date=May 12, 2016}} Despite organizers insisting that the event was being held almost simultaneously with the Oscars, many viewed it as an alternative to watching the ceremony.{{cite news|last1=Smith |first1=Nigel M. |title=Ava DuVernay and Ryan Coogler to attend Flint benefit instead of Oscars |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/feb/23/ava-duvernay-ryan-coogler-flint-water-crisis-benefit-oscars |access-date=May 28, 2016 |work=The Guardian |date=February 23, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520163043/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/feb/23/ava-duvernay-ryan-coogler-flint-water-crisis-benefit-oscars |archive-date=May 20, 2016}}

The omission of Carol from Best Picture and Best Director categories prompted speculation from journalists about the perceived indifference of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences toward female- and LGBT-centered films.{{cite web|last=Lang|first=Nico|title=Oscar snubs that hurt: The Academy Awards still aren't designed for anyone who isn't white, straight, and male|url=http://www.salon.com/2016/01/14/oscar_snubs_that_hurt_the_academy_awards_still_arent_designed_for_anyone_who_isnt_white_straight_and_male/|website=Salon|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=February 8, 2016|archive-date=January 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119061314/http://www.salon.com/2016/01/14/oscar_snubs_that_hurt_the_academy_awards_still_arent_designed_for_anyone_who_isnt_white_straight_and_male/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Aisha|title=No Carol for Best Picture, and This Year's Other Big Oscar Nomination Surprises|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/01/14/the_2016_oscar_nominations_biggest_surprises_including_carol_s_best_picture.html|website=Slate|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=February 8, 2016|archive-date=February 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207223901/http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/01/14/the_2016_oscar_nominations_biggest_surprises_including_carol_s_best_picture.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Farber|first=Stephen|title=Not only is #OscarsSoWhite, it's also #OscarsSoStraight with 'Carol' snub|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-ca-mn-oscars-gay-movies-20160207-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 4, 2016|accessdate=February 8, 2016|archive-date=April 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419160438/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-ca-mn-oscars-gay-movies-20160207-story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Helligar|first=Jeremy|title=Carol's Best Picture Oscar snub: Is the lesbian romance too 'normal' for the Academy?|url=http://thefix.nine.com.au/2016/01/15/09/10/fix150116why-carol-left-out-of-oscar-best-picture-race|website=TheFix|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=February 9, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806101111/http://thefix.nine.com.au/2016/01/15/09/10/fix150116why-carol-left-out-of-oscar-best-picture-race|url-status=live}} Nate Scott of USA Today called it "the standout snub" of the ceremony, "one made all the more ridiculous because of the bloated Best Picture field".{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Nate|title=9 biggest snubs of the 2016 Oscar nominations|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/9-biggest-snubs-in-the-2016-oscars-nominations|work=USA Today|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=January 24, 2016|archive-date=January 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123071246/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/9-biggest-snubs-in-the-2016-oscars-nominations|url-status=live}} Nico Lang of The A.V. Club said that despite the film having been considered a "lock" for a Best Picture nomination, the omission "shouldn't have been a major shock" given the controversy over Brokeback Mountain{{'s}} loss a decade earlier.{{cite web|last=Lang|first=Nico|title=By mostly snubbing Carol, the Oscars continue to exclude queer cinema|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/mostly-snubbing-carol-oscars-continue-exclude-quee-230826|website=The A.V. Club|date=January 19, 2016|accessdate=January 24, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818065754/http://www.avclub.com/article/mostly-snubbing-carol-oscars-continue-exclude-quee-230826|url-status=live}} Jason Bailey of Flavorwire said that most Best Picture nominees that include gay themes "put them firmly in the realm of subplots". "Carol{{'s}} most transgressive quality", he declared, "is its refusal to engage in such shenanigans; this is a film about full-blooded gay lives, not tragic gay deaths."{{cite web|last=Bailey|first=Jason|title=How 'Carol' Got Screwed|url=http://flavorwire.com/556038/how-carol-got-screwed|website=Flavorwire|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=February 9, 2016|archive-date=February 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208233019/http://flavorwire.com/556038/how-carol-got-screwed|url-status=live}}

At HitFix, Louis Virtel suggested that Academy members' reception of the film was hurt by its focus on self-determined women.{{cite web |last=Virtel |first=Louis |author-link=Louis Virtel |date=January 15, 2016 |title=5 myths that prevented 'Carol' from getting a Best Picture nomination |url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/5-myths-that-prevented-carol-from-getting-a-best-picture-nomination |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122142427/http://www.hitfix.com/news/5-myths-that-prevented-carol-from-getting-a-best-picture-nomination |archivedate=January 22, 2016 |accessdate=January 24, 2016 |website=HitFix}} Matthew Jacobs of The Huffington Post expressed similar sentiments and felt that the academy's artistic tastes were "too conventional to recognize its brilliance".{{cite web|last=Jacobs|first=Matthew|title=Oscar Nominations Snub 'Carol,' Idris Elba, 'Star Wars,' Quentin Tarantino And More|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/oscar-snubs-and-surprises-2016_us_56971cc6e4b0b4eb759d3ba5|website=The Huffington Post|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=January 14, 2016|archive-date=October 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011152131/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/oscar-snubs-and-surprises-2016_us_56971cc6e4b0b4eb759d3ba5|url-status=live}} Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair said that although its "themes of passion and heartache may be universal" the film may be "too gay", speaking "in a vernacular that, I'd guess, only queer people are fully fluent in." He added that the lack of "gushing melodrama" put the film at a disadvantage.{{cite web|last=Lawson|first=Richard|title=Why Did Carol Get Shut Out of Oscar's Biggest Categories?|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/01/carol-shut-out-best-picture-best-director|work=Vanity Fair|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=February 8, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203161129/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/01/carol-shut-out-best-picture-best-director|url-status=live}} Dorothy Snarker of IndieWire attributed the omissions to the academy's demographics. Snarker agreed that Carol may be too gay and too female "for the largely old white male voting base" to connect with. She also considered that the successes of the LGBT rights movement in the U.S. may have partly been responsible for the lack of "political urgency" around the film.{{cite web|last=Snarker|first=Dorothy|title=Why 'Carol' Failed to Become the Lesbian 'Brokeback'|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/why-carol-failed-to-become-the-lesbian-brokeback-20160115|work=IndieWire|date=January 15, 2016|accessdate=February 8, 2016|archive-date=February 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215032056/http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/why-carol-failed-to-become-the-lesbian-brokeback-20160115|url-status=live}}

At The Advocate, Rebekah Allen argued that "there are those who simply do not want to see a lesbian love story on screen."{{cite web|last=Allen|first=Rebekah|title=The Carol Curse: Why Hollywood Still Can't Take a Lesbian Love Story Seriously|url=http://www.advocate.com/2016/1/14/carol-curse-why-hollywood-still-cant-take-lesbian-love-story-seriously|work=The Advocate|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=February 9, 2016|archive-date=February 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209204057/http://www.advocate.com/2016/1/14/carol-curse-why-hollywood-still-cant-take-lesbian-love-story-seriously|url-status=live}} Trish Bendix of AfterEllen said that the Best Picture snub was a "reminder of the patriarchal society we continue to live in, where films that create a space for women to live happily without men and without punishment will not be rewarded."{{cite web|last=Bendix|first=Trish|title="Carol" was snubbed by the Oscars for the very same reason it was written|url=http://www.afterellen.com/movies/469565-carol-snubbed-oscars-reason-written|website=AfterEllen|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=August 6, 2017|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806180844/http://www.afterellen.com/movies/469565-carol-snubbed-oscars-reason-written|url-status=live}} Marcie Bianco of Quartz described the film as "centered around women's desire" and structured in a way that "elevates the power of women's gaze". The omission from Best Picture, she concluded, illustrates "yet again how sexism operates in the world, and in the Academy specifically, as the refusal to see women as protagonists and agents of desire."{{cite web|last=Bianco|first=Marcie|title=2016's biggest Oscar snub proves Hollywood overlords cannot deal with female sexual desire|url=http://qz.com/594857/2016s-biggest-oscar-snub-proves-hollywood-overlords-cannot-deal-with-female-sexual-desire/|website=Quartz|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=February 8, 2016|archive-date=January 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128074259/http://qz.com/594857/2016s-biggest-oscar-snub-proves-hollywood-overlords-cannot-deal-with-female-sexual-desire/|url-status=live}} In Paper magazine, Carey O'Donnell observed that gay romances are only "Oscar surefires" when they use the tragedy-desolation-demise "equation", and that "a depiction of two strong women in love with each other ... seems to still be troubling to many".{{cite news|last=O'Donnell|first=Carey|title='Carol's' Best Picture Snub: Pop Culture Is Not Ready For LGBT Contentment|url=http://www.papermag.com/carols-best-picture-snub-america-is-not-ready-for-lgbt-contentment-1554014715.html|work=Paper|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=February 9, 2016|archive-date=February 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209095955/http://www.papermag.com/carols-best-picture-snub-america-is-not-ready-for-lgbt-contentment-1554014715.html|url-status=live}} David Ehrlich of Rolling Stone wrote that the film's "patience and precision" did not conform to Academy tastes, but its legacy "will doubtlessly survive this year's most egregious snub".{{cite magazine|last=Ehrlich|first=David|title=Oscars 2016: 12 Major Nomination Snubs|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/oscars-2016-12-major-nomination-snubs-20160114|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 14, 2016|accessdate=February 9, 2016|archive-date=February 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209100245/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/oscars-2016-12-major-nomination-snubs-20160114|url-status=live}} Todd Haynes said that he thought having two female leads was "a factor" in the omission.{{cite web|last1=MacKenzie|first1=Steven|title=Todd Haynes Interview: Cinema still has a problem with women|url=http://www.bigissue.com/features/interviews/6422/todd-haynes-interview-cinema-still-has-a-problem-with-women|work=The Big Issue|date=April 6, 2016|accessdate=February 16, 2017|archive-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216133151/http://www.bigissue.com/features/interviews/6422/todd-haynes-interview-cinema-still-has-a-problem-with-women|url-status=dead}}

During the show, Rock introduced onstage three children of Asian heritage posing as accountants for PricewaterhouseCoopers, saying: "They sent us their most dedicated, accurate, and hard-working representatives... Please welcome Ming Zhu, Bao Ling and David Moskowitz." He also added, "If anybody's upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone that was also made by these kids."{{cite news|last1=Roberts |first1=Randall |title=Chris Rock's Oscars joke about Asian American accountants stirs outrage |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-chris-rock-oscars-asian-american-accountants-outrage-20160229-story.html |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801175211/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-chris-rock-oscars-asian-american-accountants-outrage-20160229-story.html |archive-date=August 1, 2016}} In response to the segment, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu expressed her disappointment at Rock, broadcaster ABC, and AMPAS in a press release that read, "It is not right to protest the exclusion of one group by making jokes at the expense of another. I am so disappointed that the Academy and ABC would rely on such offensive characterizations, especially given the controversy over the lack of diversity."{{cite news|last1=Chu |first1=Judy |title=Rep. Chu Condemns Anti-Asian Racist Joke at the Oscars |url=https://chu.house.gov/press-release/rep-chu-condemns-anti-asian-racist-joke-oscars |access-date=July 29, 2016 |publisher=U.S. House of Representatives |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819083519/https://chu.house.gov/press-release/rep-chu-condemns-anti-asian-racist-joke-oscars |archive-date=August 19, 2016}} Actress Constance Wu tweeted, "To parade little kids on stage [with] no speaking lines merely to be the butt of a racist joke is reductive & gross."{{cite news|last1=Ryzik |first1=Melina |title=Chris Rock's Asian Joke at Oscars Provokes Backlash |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/movies/chris-rocks-asian-joke-at-oscars-provokes-backlash.html |access-date=May 27, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=February 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420125421/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/movies/chris-rocks-asian-joke-at-oscars-provokes-backlash.html |archive-date=April 20, 2016}} Furthermore, 25 AMPAS members of Asian descent, including actors Nancy Kwan, Sandra Oh, and George Takei, and director Ang Lee, signed a letter condemning Rock's skit, saying: "In light of criticism over #OscarsSoWhite, we were hopeful that the telecast would provide the Academy a way forward and the chance to present a spectacular example of inclusion and diversity. Instead, the Oscars show was marred by a tone-deaf approach to its portrayal of Asians."{{cite news|last1=Feinberg |first1=Scott |title=Ang Lee, George Takei Among 25 Academy Members Protesting Oscars' Asian Jokes |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/ang-lee-george-takei-25-875772 |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 15, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624232721/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/ang-lee-george-takei-25-875772 |archive-date=June 24, 2016}}

In a phone interview with the Associated Press, Academy President Isaacs apologized for the joke, stating, "I can understand the feelings, and we are setting up a meeting to discuss, because, as you well know, no one sets out to be offensive, and I'm very sorry that has happened. I think so much is achieved with dialogue, so much is achieved. And that is what we'll continue to do: have dialogue, listen, and just keep fixing."{{cite news|last1=Deerwester |first1=Jayme |title=Academy apologizes for Asian joke at Oscars, announces new leadership roles |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/03/16/motion-picture-academy-apology-diversity-membership-leadership-changes/81860722/ |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=USA Today |date=March 16, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723211403/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/03/16/motion-picture-academy-apology-diversity-membership-leadership-changes/81860722/ |archive-date=July 23, 2016}}

The show received a mixed reception from media publications. A few media outlets reviewed the broadcast more positively with some praise for Rock. Television critic Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times remarked: "Rock's Oscars had some of the most powerful moments seen in the telecast's history." She concluded that, "After years of being dissed for its irrelevance, this year's Oscars took action. The results were mixed, to be sure, and Rock did not ever settle into his usual balance of outrage and humanity."{{cite news|title=Chris Rock's hot mess of an Oscars show: powerful, confounding, possibly revolutionary |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-et-mn-oscars-tv-review-20160229-column.html |first=Mary |last=McNamara |author-link1=Mary McNamara |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 28, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229222059/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-et-mn-oscars-tv-review-20160229-column.html |archive-date=February 29, 2016}} The New York Times columnist James Poniewozik commented, "With Chris Rock, the Oscars find a lucky pairing of host and subject." In addition, he wrote, "His performance was an example of something the industry is still trying to learn: that you can achieve both inclusion and entertainment by giving the right person just the right opportunity."{{cite news|title=Review: With Chris Rock, the Oscars Find a Lucky Pairing of Host and Subject |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/29/movies/chris-rock-oscars-review.html |first=James |last=Poniewozik |work=The New York Times |date=February 28, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301044131/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/29/movies/chris-rock-oscars-review.html |archive-date=March 1, 2016}} The Denver Post{{'}}s Joanne Ostrow wrote, "Chris Rock poked the elephant in the room at the 2016 Academy Awards, prodded it again and again, and never let up."{{cite news|last1=Ostrow |first1=Joanne |title=Chris Rock nails Oscars 2016 focus on race |url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/ostrow/2016/02/28/24149/24149/ |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=The Denver Post |date=February 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817203853/http://blogs.denverpost.com/ostrow/2016/02/28/24149/24149/ |archive-date=August 17, 2016}}

Others were more critical of the show. The Hollywood Reporter columnist Daniel Feinberg remarked, "Chris Rock led a telecast that had important things to say, but still felt endless." In addition, Feinberg called the ceremony "overstuffed" and the on-screen running scroll a "total failure".{{cite news|title=The 88th Annual Academy Awards: TV Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/chris-rock-hosted-oscars-2016-871255 |first=Daniel |last=Fienberg |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 28, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301011915/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/chris-rock-hosted-oscars-2016-871255 |archive-date=March 1, 2016}} Frazier Moore of the Associated Press quipped, "When Rock was absent, languor prevailed." He added, "One other beef: The attempt to banish the names of those thanked by winners to a text crawl at the bottom of the screen. If viewers wanted to watch a channel with annoying and distracting text at the bottom of the screen, they'd just tune to a cable-news channel."{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Frazier |title=Review: Rock rocks with Oscars monologue; show's a snooze |url=http://www.times-standard.com/article/ZZ/20160228/NEWS/160225518 |access-date=February 28, 2016 |work=Times-Standard |date=March 1, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825190247/http://www.times-standard.com/article/ZZ/20160228/NEWS/160225518 |archive-date=August 25, 2016 |df=mdy-all}} Orlando Sentinel television critic Hal Boedeker gave high marks toward Rock but commented, "No host, no matter how gifted, can transform the lumbering format into a scintillating event." He ended his comments by stating, "Staging a more entertaining Oscar telecast. Why must the show be a slog?"{{cite news|last1=Boederk |first1=Hal |title=Oscars: Cutting Rock, boring show |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/tv/tv-guy/os-oscars-cutting-rock-boring-show-20160228-story.html |access-date=July 29, 2016 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=February 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818095243/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/tv/tv-guy/os-oscars-cutting-rock-boring-show-20160228-story.html |archive-date=August 18, 2016}}

The American telecast on ABC drew 34.42 million people over its length, which was a 4% decrease from the previous year's ceremony. An estimated 58 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards.{{cite news |title=Oscars witnesses lowest audience since 2008 |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/oscars-witnesses-lowest-audience-since-2008-021426924.html |access-date=September 20, 2016 |publisher=Yahoo! |date=March 1, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927140015/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/oscars-witnesses-lowest-audience-since-2008-021426924.html |archive-date=September 27, 2016}} The telecast also garnered lower Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony with a 23.4 household rating.{{cite news|title=Academy Awards ratings |publisher=Television Bureau of Advertising |url=https://www.tvb.org/Portals/0/media/file/tracts/Academy_Awards.pdf |access-date=June 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808235818/https://www.tvb.org/Portals/0/media/file/tracts/Academy_Awards.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2016}} In addition, the program scored lower in the 18-49 demo rating with a 10.5 rating over a 31% share. It was the lowest viewership for an Academy Awards telecast since the 80th ceremony, held in 2008.

In July 2016, the ceremony presentation received nine nominations for the 68th Primetime Emmys.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-emmys-2016-nominees-winners-list-20160714-snap-story.html|title=Nominations for the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards|last=Lewis|first=Dave|date=July 14, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=July 14, 2016|archive-date=August 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830221505/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-emmys-2016-nominees-winners-list-20160714-snap-story.html|url-status=live}} The following month, the ceremony did not win any of the nominations.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/emmy-awards-2016-winners-creative-arts-night-2-list-1201817427/|title=Creative Arts Emmys: 'Murderer' & 'Grease Live' Lead The Field On Night 2|date=September 11, 2016|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=September 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912174121/http://deadline.com/2016/09/emmy-awards-2016-winners-creative-arts-night-2-list-1201817427/|url-status=live}}

The annual "In Memoriam" tribute was presented by actor Louis Gossett Jr.{{cite news|last1=Brito |first1=Chris |title=Full list: Oscars 2016 In Memoriam |url=http://pix11.com/2016/02/29/full-list-oscars-2016-in-memoriam/ |access-date=July 29, 2016 |publisher=WPIX |date=February 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609090625/http://pix11.com/2016/02/29/full-list-oscars-2016-in-memoriam/ |archive-date=June 9, 2016}} Singer Dave Grohl performed The Beatles' song "Blackbird" during the tribute.

{{div col}}

• Wes Craven – Director
• Stan Freberg – Voice actor
• Saeed Jaffrey – Actor
• Miroslav Ondricek – Cinematographer
• Robert Balser – Animation director
• Lizabeth Scott – Actress
• Stuart Reiss – Set decorator
• Chantal Akerman – Director, writer
• Christopher Lee – Actor
• Robert Chartoff – Producer
• Murray Weissman – Publicist
• Jerry Weintraub – Producer
• James L. White – Writer
• Theodore Bikel – Actor
• Robert Loggia – Actor
• Barbara Brogliatti – Public relations executive
• Maureen O'Hara – Actress
• Gene Allen – Production designer, academy president
• Omar Sharif – Actor
• Louis DiGiaimo – Casting director
• Patricia Norris – Costume designer
• Dean Jones – Actor
• Ettore Scola – Director, writer
• Alan Rickman – Actor
• Haskell Wexler – Cinematographer
• Karolyn Ali – Producer
• Tex Rudloff – Sound mixer
• Richard Corliss – Film critic
• John B. Mansbridge – Art director
• Alex Rocco – Actor
• Kirk Kerkorian – Executive
• Bob Minkler – Sound mixer
• Douglas Slocombe – Cinematographer
• David W. Samuelson – Cameraman, inventor
• James Horner – Composer
• Bruce Sinofsky – Documentarian
• Frank D. Gilroy – Writer
• Holly Woodlawn – Actress
• James Elmo Williams – Film editor, producer, executive
• Howard A. Anderson – Visual effects
• Roger L. Mayer – Executive, film preservation advocate
• Albert Maysles – Documentarian
• Melissa Mathison – Writer
• Richard Glatzer – Director, writer
• David Bowie – Musician, actor
• Vilmos Zsigmond – Cinematographer
• Daniel Gerson – Writer, voice actor
• Leonard Nimoy – Actor

{{div col end}}

• 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards
• 36th Golden Raspberry Awards
• 58th Grammy Awards
• 68th Primetime Emmy Awards
• 69th British Academy Film Awards
• 70th Tony Awards
• 73rd Golden Globe Awards
• List of submissions to the 88th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film

{{reflist|group=N}}

{{Reflist}}

Official websites

• [http://oscar.go.com/ Academy Awards Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909025935/http://oscar.go.com/ |date=September 9, 2014 }}
• [http://www.oscars.org/ The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122140142/http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/ |date=January 22, 2009 }}
• [https://www.youtube.com/user/Oscars Oscar's Channel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226082028/https://www.youtube.com/user/Oscars |date=February 26, 2019 }} at YouTube (run by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences)

News resources

• [https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35310418 Oscars 2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108124530/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35310418 |date=November 8, 2020 }} at BBC News
• [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jan/13/oscar-nominee-predictions-academy-awards-2016 Oscars 2016] at The Guardian

Analysis

• [https://www.imdb.com/awards-central/oscars Academy Awards, USA: 2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224173042/http://www.imdb.com/awards-central/oscars |date=December 24, 2016 }} IMDb
• [http://www.filmsite.org/aa2015.html 2015 Academy Awards winners and History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305085940/http://www.filmsite.org/aa2015.html |date=March 5, 2016 }} at the Filmsite.org

Other resources

• {{IMDb title|4991632|The Oscars (2016)}}

{{Academy Awards}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Academy Awards, 88}}

Category:Academy Awards ceremonies

Category:2015 film awards

Category:2016 awards in the United States

Category:2016 in American cinema

Category:February 2016 in the United States

Category:2016 in Los Angeles

Category:Television shows directed by Glenn Weiss