Oscars Postmortem: ABC Unscripted Chief On Will Smith Slap & Pre-Taped Categories Controversies, Beyoncé, ‘Bruno’, Having Hosts Again & More

deadline.com:

The Oscars has people talking in a way the ceremony has not been able to in years. Unfortunately, it is not so much about the moving acceptance speeches or elaborate production numbers but an ugly incident, in which Oscar nominee (and eventual winner) Will Smith slapped presented Chris Rock after the latter had directed a not very tasteful joke at Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.In an interview with Deadline, Rob Mills EVP, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television, discussed the incident, giving Deadline a behind-the-scenes look at the bombshell incident and its aftermath from his vintage point, overseeing the live ceremony from the control truck.Mills also spoke of the other controversy, the decision to pre-tape eight below-the-line categories and use edited down versions in the telecast, gave his assessment of the show, the hosts and that PCR skit as well as getting Megan Thee Stallion to perform in “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and West Side Story‘s Rachel Zegler to present after she told a fan a week prior that she had not been invited to the Oscars.The executive also revealed whether Beyoncé’s rousing opening number was live or pre-recorded and whether the 007 tribute was supposed to include former Bonds.

He also addressed speculation whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been invited, something Oscar winner Sean Penn had lobbied for, as well as the choice of Toto’s ‘Africa’ as a walk-on song for Black presenters HER and Daniel Kaluuya, which drew social media backlash.

Mills also shared his hopes to have a host again next year, leaving the memory of host-less Oscars behind.DEADLINE: What was the reaction inside the truck when that slap happened?MILLS: It went from obviously