The 2021 Oscars Ended on a Weird Note and the Internet Has Thoughts

Anti-climatic doesn't even begin to describe it.

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(Image credit: ABC)

The Oscars continued its long-standing tradition of not nailing the ending (coughLaLaLandMoonlightcough) at the 2021 Academy Awards with a very anti-climatic conclusion that overshadowed what was mostly a pleasant and history-making event.

The producers made a baffling decision to rearrange the ceremony's final categories, giving out the trophy for "Best Picture" before the "Best Actress" and "Best Actor" awards (the "Supporting Actor/Actress" categories also didn't open the show, per tradition). Though the switcheroo quickly turned into a snafu, thanks to some poor planning—which subsequently robbed Anthony Hopkins, Chadwick Boseman, and Nomadland of their special moments.

Many viewers made the assumption that the change in the run-of-show was to allow for a memorable celebration of the late Boseman. The actor—who died in 2020 of colon cancer—was nominated for Best Actor for his role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Boseman had posthumously swept the award season, with his widow graciously accepting on his behalf during the Golden Globes and SAGs earlier this year. While it would have been a somber note to end the ceremony on, it would have also been a fitting way to honor Boseman's legacy in the film industry and beyond. But the Oscars producers clearly counted their chickens before they were hatched, because Boseman was not awarded the trophy; instead, Best Actor went to Hopkins for The Father.

To make the situation more awkward, Hopkins wasn't in attendance Sunday night, meaning that presenter Joaquin Phoenix was forced to accept the statue in his honor, swiftly closing out the entire night with very little fanfare. (If the Best Picture category had gone last, as usual, the ceremony would've ended with the zany Frances McDormand howling. Which, yes, please.)

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Of course, no one could've predicted the Boseman snub (and Hopkins is always deserving of an Oscar) but nonetheless, the Internet wasn't thrilled with the conclusion to the over-three-hour event.

See the best Twitter reactions, below, and remember Oscars season 2022 begins...now.

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Neha Prakash
Entertainment Director

Neha Prakash is Marie Claire's Entertainment Director, where she edits, writes, and ideates culture and current event features with a focus on elevating diverse voices and stories in film and television. She steers and books the brand's print and digital covers as well as oversees the talent and production on MC's video franchises like "How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?" and flagship events, including the Power Play summit. Since joining the team in early 2020, she's produced entertainment packages, helped oversee SEO content, commissioned op-eds from notable writers, and penned widely-shared celebrity profiles. She also assists with social coverage around major red carpet events, having conducted interviews at the Met Gala, Oscars, and Golden Globes. Follow her on Instagram @nehapk.