After a substantial hiatus caused by the pandemic, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest will make their comeback to the Oscars in Los Angeles this year.
After the biggest night in Hollywood, the duo is bringing their show to the Dolby Theater to produce the Oscars stage show in the morning.
Following the strict protocols of the pandemic given the past few years, Seacrest and Ripa will be in extremely close quarters with the biggest stars of the night, conducting backstage interviews at the Dolby stage with the presenters and winners as they exit the stage, hand in hand with golden statues. This special episode will air on Monday, the day after the Oscars.
“Kelly, Ryan, and the entire ‘Live’ crew are ready to bring that iconic Oscar thrill to our countless viewers at home,” states executive producer Michael Gelman. “Having produced the show on both coasts for two years, we are extremely excited to return to the Oscar stage for one of our most beloved shows of the year.”
Carson Kressley, a former “Queer Eye” fashion expert, will serve as a special correspondent on the red carpet, chatting with all the stars about their glamorous and glitzy looks. The morning after the Oscars, Kressley will host “Live” from the Dolby stage, engaging with the live studio audience. Additionally, Seacrest and Ripa will conduct backstage interviews throughout the night.
The 95th yearly Oscars will be broadcasted on March 12th on ABC with Jimmy Kimmel returning as the master of ceremonies.
Seacrest reveals whether he would ever desire to host the prominent event. Additionally, they discuss their preferred movies and celebrity interviews, their significant evening at the Oscars, and what to anticipate as Ripa and Seacrest speak exclusively to Variety in this location.
Returning with great momentum, are you thrilled to be back in Hollywood for the Oscars following the pandemic? This marks your inaugural experience.
The response they will provide you with is not in regards to the questions they were asked. It is because the Academy Awards have just been won by those individuals who are considered to be the best in their field and this is both astonishing and exhilarating. They are currently on cloud nine due to this significant achievement in their careers and they are being referred to as stars due to their association with the Academy Awards. Even in this small and confined area, he doesn’t even understand the feeling of claustrophobia. He has never experienced being backstage after winning an Oscar. So, tell me why Ryan is so excited.
I am forward looking there. They were going to serve me the plate that would make me the Oscars, and I know where to go when the red carpet is finished and the ceremony starts. Usually, I am forward looking and going up to the kitchen where Wolfgang Puck usually serves. It’s very exciting to be there for “Live” because we get to see some very candid moments and conversations even before the winners and their reactions and emotions. The backstage is really incredible and it’s so exciting to be part of the biggest award shows. It’s Seacrest.
You’re only here for the cuisine.
Seacrest: That is my utmost concern. Trust me.
As Ryan is backstage in the wings for the first time, do you have any recommendations for him?
I always tell him that the backstage room seems very spacious, but Ryan obviously has tons of experience out on the red carpet. Ryan knows how to create chaos, how to make dresses and literally how to clear your corner and get out of the way: Ripa.
Do you have any customs in readiness for the event on Oscars Sunday?
In exceptional circumstances, I strive to avoid engaging in that behavior — however, the sheer delight of the athletic shoes behind the scenes cannot be exaggerated. On one occasion, I genuinely sported sneakers backstage, and it brought me immense happiness. This practice truly takes a toll since one must stand for countless hours in high heels, so I ensure that I consume Advil to prevent my feet from enduring any discomfort. I meticulously review all of my performance notes, and subsequently, Mark [Consuelos] and I consistently indulge in a delectable breakfast served in our splendid hotel room. As everything unfolds quite late, it becomes one of those rare days when I am able to sleep in.
Ryan, do you still get that “pinch me” moment when you attend the Oscars, considering the numerous award shows and red carpets you’ve been to?
I’ll be ready to go to the Oscars with my flashcards, hopefully all prepared and studied. I want to make sure that everyone knows what needs to be done and knows everyone who is involved. I also get a little nervous because I want to make sure that everyone knows and everyone wants to know. This is the moment when I think about all the people who are celebrating the potential to win an award or the greatest award in their industry. It’s a pinch-me moment for me, Ryan Seacrest.
So, does Ryan Seacrest still experience anxiety?
Studying inherently accompanies that. However, I experience heightened anxiety when it pertains to ensuring the accuracy of all the information while committing to memory the achievements of every actor or director. Indeed, I do. I feel anxious. Seacrest.
It’s always evident that you’ve completed your assignments and are not simply reciting from a teleprompter.
Seacrest: Thank you. I’ve skipped 20 years of pre-Oscar gatherings to do that.
Reflecting on your time at the Oscars, do you have a preferred memory that you observed behind the scenes?
Samuel Jackson, who was sitting next to me in the chair next to mine, started watching the Academy Awards on TV while we were hanging out and eating snacks. He came backstage because he was about to present something, and he did an interview with me. Jackson L. Samuel was getting bored sitting in the audience, so he came backstage. My favorite moments were really just winning the Academy Award and doing nothing.
Is there a remarkable interview from throughout the years that stands out to you?
Was there a topic on which Jack Nicholson, the old Hollywood allure, and DiCaprio Leonardo lived? Have you even had a glass of champagne with him until now? We gave him a stuffed bear and had a lot of fun, just like in “The Revenant”. DiCaprio Leonardo was one pretty big aspect, but there are many others, such as Ripa.
I anticipate that, so you experience some genuine honesty and you might have had a drink in the limousine along the way and all the discussions there are unplanned. However, that was something I didn’t anticipate. Quite amusing, but in retrospect, what took me by surprise was when Sacha Baron Cohen threw someone’s dust on me. One unforeseen occurrence was Seacrest.
I had completely forgotten about that memorable Sacha Baron Cohen incident, so thank you for bringing it back to my attention.
Seacrest: You have to search for it again. I genuinely find that amusing. It definitely does catch the eye.
Kelly, are you planning to socialize with the celebrities behind the scenes and indulge in alcoholic beverages? I’m intrigued. There has been a considerable amount of recent discussion about consuming alcoholic beverages while on television. You previously spoke about savoring champagne with Leonardo DiCaprio.
We are the only place where people can come back happily and grab a tequila to take back to their seats for an interview. Apparently, you cannot get tequila in that theater, but we not only have a champagne bar, but we also have reasons to be. I know, you quit drinking about five years ago, so I don’t drink at all: Ripa.
Celebrities winning Academy Awards and sipping tequila – that’s a formula for a fascinating interview.
Ripa: I intend, what further can you request?
Is there anyone whom you are eagerly longing to interview? However, I presume that you have encountered and conducted interviews with almost every celebrity in the last twenty years.
It would be wonderful to converse with newcomers who resemble Austin Butler. Tom Hanks is always a source of great enjoyment. His work in “The Whale” is extraordinary. I haven’t had much free time to discover someone like Brendan Fraser: Seacrest.
Oh, I would really like to interview Steven Spielberg. I’m racking my brain and trying to think of people I haven’t interviewed. That’s a great question: Ripa.
Which movies are you enjoying in this year’s lineup for the Oscars?
“The Whale” holds the highest position on my list. “The Fabelmans” is equally remarkable. I was extremely delighted to witness its nomination for the best picture category. I have a strong inclination towards grand-scale films, hence I thoroughly enjoyed “Top Gun: Maverick.” It’s the epitome of my preferred kind of entertainment, although there are several other movies that demand my attention. Seacrest.
I perceive it the way I perceive it if the Academy perceives it. I’m curious. “This level of acting simply doesn’t seem feasible.” This cannot be feasible. And you’re just like, she does that consistently throughout the entire movie. And then conclude it in French, as if it’s insignificant. She will switch it to English in the middle. She can initiate a sentence in German. Like she can speak them all simultaneously. And she can speak them all simultaneously, and then she can speak them all simultaneously. She speaks multiple languages concurrently. She is a master. I was convinced that she is a master. She simply transformed to the point where I was convinced. She is a master. She is a master in “Tár”. Cate Blanchett in “Tár” is something I’ve rarely witnessed in film. Ripa: Cate Blanchett in “Tár” is something I’ve rarely witnessed in film.
Ryan, I think you have been awarded by the state. Since the heyday, everyone has been watching you on the red carpet.
Appeal the spontaneity of live broadcasts because they are not used as a large tune-in but rather as a problem for television broadcasts. It’s great when people tune in to see big stars at the Oscars because they know and recognize them. The Oscars are some of ABC’s highest-rated shows, but we know our New Year’s Eve show is also doing well.
Ratings across the board for all award shows are down. Why are the Oscars still important event programming, particularly for morning TV?
They really wanted to be meaningful and not lost on us, and there is something special about being part of the audience in that grand auditorium at 3 a.M. They wanted to wake up and get there with all these viewers because there’s something special happening. It’s like a big field trip. We greatly benefit from the ratings and our show turns into a big spectacle. We are prepping for our show before we sleep at night because we don’t really have time to sleep. We are on stage at 6 a.M. In L.A. And when you think about it, our little tiny studio in New York City takes our show out to you. It’s funny how our ratings always go down and down and down after our big Academy Awards post-show. Ripa
Occasionally, the discussions surrounding the glamour and grandeur and significant occasions are more thrilling than the actual spectacle.
On the stage, individuals fail to perceive the true essence of glamour and fashion. The prevalence of post and pre-shows greatly contributes to this, unlike the occasional decline in viewership. However, I believe that the disparity lies in the significance of expressing gratitude to individuals on stage during acceptance speeches, which the at-home viewership is not aware of to the same extent. Ripa: I do not intend to belittle their importance.
What other surprises can we anticipate from the “Live” performance this year?
The day following, we will be present on that stage, it’s somewhat exhilarating. After Jimmy [Kimmel] has just hosted and subsequent to the Academy Awards have just occurred, it’s truly fascinating to step out onto that set hours later. We haven’t had an opportunity to do that for a considerable amount of time, and we will have the ability to have some of our supporters in the audience at the Dolby Theatre. They have been at home for approximately two hours before they must come on our show or frequently, they have not even been home yet. However, we will have some of the victors live on that identical set the day after, we are not entirely certain who will be on the show until the evening prior obviously.
Have you ever been requested to host the Academy Awards, Ryan?
Not for me. But excellent at it. He’s humorous. I’m not as humorous. And he gets ready. Despite making it appear effortless, he’s flawless at the task. Jimmy is the ideal match, I believe. I could never perform that job proficiently. I haven’t been invited to host the Oscars, Seacrest.
So, is hosting the Academy Awards not included in your career aspirations?
Seacrest: No. I’ll save the audience and myself the trouble.
Editor’s note: These interviews were conducted individually, and have been edited and summarized for this article.