Sunday night was an emotional rollercoaster for film fanatics all over the country. On many accounts, the 2021 Oscars was a historical occasion- Chloe Zhao became the first woman of color to win best director, hair and makeup categories were swept for the first time by people of color, and the Academy was the most diverse it has ever been. However, for the dozens of fans following the 2021 Sundance favorite “Johnny Larson”, the Utah-centric remake of “Johnny Lingo”, things did not turn out as planned.

What most upset fans was the way the show itself was rearranged to “highlight McKeigh’s win”- apparently proving that the show’s producers expected it just as much. The format was rearranged so that the best actor category ended the show, rather than the best picture category taking the finale as usual. This was “obviously” going to set McKeigh up for an emotional acceptance speech that was “just as socially important as the film itself”.

McKeigh was already halfway up the stairs when Joaquin Phoenix announced Sir Anthony Hopkins as best actor in a leading role. As McKeigh awkwardly dashed back to his seat, the Academy accepted the award on Hopkins’ behalf, as the 83-year-old was asleep in bed at his home in Wales. 

After “Johnny Larson” was beaten by “Nomadland” in the best picture category, this was salt in the wound for fans of the all-white film. 

“I’m not trying to undermine Sir Anthony Hopkins’ performance, but McKeigh’s nuanced portrayal of Johnny Larson deserves recognition,” says Lisa Kimball, McKeigh’s mom. 

If anything is true, it’s that the Academy has never made everyone happy. Except, of course, when the title of Best Adapted Screenplay was awarded to “The Book of Mormon Videos”.