Who chooses the background music when the presenters of awards are introduced on stage?
Most Oscar viewers don’t pay attention to the orchestral music playing during the show–except when it interrupts the winners during their speeches to signal that they have overstayed their welcome and this need to leave the stage.
The selection of music choices playing as the various presenters walked up to make their speeches was strange and eccentric, to say the least.
According to the Hollywood Reporter‘s survey, Julianne Moore walked out to present the award for best actor to the tune of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson,” from The Graduate, about an older woman who seduces a younger man.
Another perplexing choice was “La Bamba,” which played after Chris Rock’s bit featuring three young Asian children posing as the Academy’s accountants.
The second most used song on the night was the Mad Max: Fury Road theme, as the film won six Oscars.
The boastful Indiana Jones franchise theme song served as the musical backdrop when Vice President Joe Biden’s presented Lady Gaga’s performance.
Other noteworthy musical choices:
Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe walked out to The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” to present the best adapted screenplay award.
Last year’s best supporting actor winner, J.K. Simmons, entered the stage to the tune of Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’ “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” from Dirty Dancing, to present the best supporting actress award.
Cate Blanchett, who presented the award for costume design, walked onto the stage to Huey Lewis and the News’ “The Power of Love,” from Back to the Future.
Chadwick Boseman and Chris Evans presented the sound editing award after getting serenaded with The Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” from Saturday Night Fever.
Jacob Tremblay and Abraham Attah got the Superman theme.
Olivia Wilde and Sacha Baron Cohen (in character as Ali G) got Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me,” from The Breakfast Club. They exited to B.J. Thomas’ “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.”
Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs walked out to talk about the diversity efforts to the tune of “I Will Always Love You,” known for the Whitney Houston version in The Bodyguard.
