2013 Oscars highlights: Top 10 moments from the Academy Awards

Host Seth MacFarlane had some hits and misses during the 2013 Oscars. The crowd roared with laughter when he speared Tommy Lee Jones by saying, “The quest to make Tommy Lee Jones smile begins now.” However, he sank with his joke about John Wilkes Booth.It was the best-kept secret of the 2013 Oscars. William Shatner opened the 85th Annual Academy Awards in an effort to help 1st time host Seth MacFarlane. During a funny segment that lasted just a bit too long, the “Star Trek” star was dead on with his tongue-in-cheek humor. The highlight of the opening was a dazzling dance by Charlize Theron and Channing Tatum.Despite winning the Best Picture award at the 2013 Oscars, “Argo’s” director Ben Affleck was totally snubbed by the Academy in 2013. ”I was here 15 years ago and I had no idea what I was doing. I never thought I’d be back here and I am. You have to work harder than you possibly can and you can’t hold grudges,” he said during his emotional acceptance speech.View the list »
Actor-producer-director Ben Affleck, winner of the Best Picture award for “Argo,” walks into the press room after the 2013 Oscars.

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Every year, the Academy Awards pulls in millions of TV viewers from more than 200 countries across the globe. On Feb. 24, ABC pulled out its biggest guns to guarantee good ratings. From William Shatner’s surprise appearance during the opening to Seth MacFarlane’s closing segment (and everything in between), the 2013 Oscars had virtually something for everyone.

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So, how did Seth MacFarlane fare during his first hosting shot at the Oscars? He soared at times, but sank during a few tense moments. He scored when he stated on Sunday, “You guys have made such beautiful and inspiring movies. Your movies are here to receive awards. My movie is in Redboxes in grocery stores and being urinated on by bums.” He sunk when he joked about the actors who have portrayed Abraham Lincoln in the past and panned, “The actor who really got inside Lincoln’s head was John Wilkes Booth.” His comment was met with audible gasps and boos from the audience.

Speaking of the live audience, it was packed with Hollywood heavyweights that rose for a standing ovation on six different occasions. Dame Shirley Bassey, Jennifer Hudson, the cast of Les Miserables, Jennifer Lawrence, Daniel Day-Lewis and Ben Affleck all received standing Os, but shockingly, the audience didn’t rise for Adele after her live performance of “Skyfall.”

So, what were the top 10 moments from the 2013 Oscars? Be sure to check out the list of this year’s best moments from the Academy Awards.

The big 2013 Academy Award winners by picture were…

  • “Life of Pi” – 4 total Oscars: Best Cinematography, Visual Effects, Original Score and Director
  • “Argo” – 3 total Oscars: Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay and Film Editing
  • “Les Miserables” – 3 total Oscars: Best Supporting Actress (Anne Hathaway), Sound Mixing and Makeup & Hairstyling
  • “Django Unchained” – 2 total Oscars: Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz) and Original Screenplay
  • "Lincoln": Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and Production Design

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  • Despite winning the Best Picture award at the 2013 Oscars, “Argo’s” director Ben Affleck was totally snubbed by the Academy in 2013. ”I was here 15 years ago and I had no idea what I was doing. I never thought I’d be back here and I am. You have to work harder than you possibly can and you can’t hold grudges,” he said during his emotional acceptance speech.
  • It was the best-kept secret of the 2013 Oscars. William Shatner opened the 85th Annual Academy Awards in an effort to help 1st time host Seth MacFarlane. During a funny segment that lasted just a bit too long, the “Star Trek” star was dead on with his tongue-in-cheek humor. The highlight of the opening was a dazzling dance by Charlize Theron and Channing Tatum.
  • Host Seth MacFarlane had some hits and misses during the 2013 Oscars. The crowd roared with laughter when he speared Tommy Lee Jones by saying, “The quest to make Tommy Lee Jones smile begins now.” However, he sank with his joke about John Wilkes Booth.
  • Jennifer Lawrence was the belle of the ball at the 2013 Oscars when she won the Best Actress award for “Silver Linings Playbook.” After tripping on her way to the stage, she joked, “Thank you. You guys are just standing up because I fell and that’s embarrassing.” Lawrence defeated Emmanuelle Riva, Jessica Chastain, Naomi Watts and Quvenzhane Wallis to win her first Academy Award.
  • Jennifer Hudson participated in a tribute to movie musicals during the 2013 Oscars. She belted out “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” from “Deamgirls" and brought down the house. She received a standing ovation for her outstanding performance and Jack Nicholson was Jennifer’s biggest fan.
  • Halle Berry introduced the James Bond tribute during the 2013 Oscars, but Dame Shirley Bassey commanded more attention when she performed “Goldfinger” live. Dressed in head-to-toe gold, Bassey even had a gold microphone to match. The segment celebrated 50 years of James Bond films with sights, sounds and music.
  • Adele’s appearance at the 2013 Oscars was one of the night’s most highly anticipated performances. She never looked better and performed “Skyfall.” Interestingly enough, the live Hollywood audience didn’t give Adele a standing ovation, but she went on to win a 2013 Oscar for Best Original Song.
  • George Clooney introduced the annual “In Memoriam” segment to pay tribute to actresses, actors, and behind-the-scenes people from Hollywood. Right after he read Marvin Hamlish’s name, Barbra Streisand appeared on stage and said, “Marvin Hamlisch was a composer of extraordinary depth and sensitivity. He was also a kind and generous friend who could always make me laugh.” She then belted out “Memories,” one of Marvin’s most memorable hits.
  • During a special tribute to movie musicals, Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and the cast of "Les Miserables" performed “I Dreamed a Dream” during the 2013 Oscars. After the rousing live performance, the entire audience rose to its feet for a lasting standing ovation. Hathaway later won a 2013 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, which was well deserved and no big surprise.
  • For the final and biggest award of the night, Jack Nicholson took the stage. However, First Lady Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance and said that all of this year’s Best Picture nominees demonstrate that “we can overcome any obstacle.” She thanked Hollywood for encouraging children to open their imaginations. Mrs. Obama then announced that the Best Picture award went to “Argo.” Ben Affleck, was clearly moved and stated, “It doesn’t matter how you get knocked down in life. All that matters is that you have to get up.”
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Jackie Kass is a published magazine writer, copywriter and a freelance PR/publicity specialist who mentally plots how she would win "Survivor" despite her total lack of outdoor survival skills. She's also a busy mother of two who keeps track of all things pop culture in order to communicate with...

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