The first Oscars with hosts since 2018 featured a trio of women — Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, and Regina Hall — who lost no time making up for the previous years' lack of comedy.
Schumer joked that Leonardo DiCaprio has "done so much to battle climate change and leave behind a cleaner, greener planet for his ladies."
"Lady Gaga and Jared Leto for 'House of Random Accents,'" according to Wanda Sykes, referencing to their questionable Italian inflections in "House of Gucci."
Schumer, who was last seen swinging from the ceiling as a superhero webslinger, improvised after "that" shocking event with Smith.
Producers of the Academy Awards pledged to highlight not only this year's nominees, but also outstanding films from the past. Among them was a section commemorating the 50th anniversary of "The Godfather," which featured Francis Ford Coppola, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro.
Coppola was able to put an end to his long-running spat with late Paramount production head Robert Evans, who had fought for credit for the original film's spectacular success for decades.
"It's past time that I did," Coppola added, "since it was his participation and final judgments that made it possible."
Before Samuel L Jackson took the best actor envelope from the film's enigmatic illuminated suitcase, Uma Thurman and John Travolta did their signature dance from "Pulp Fiction."
Two awards voted on by the public via Twitter, including a "fan favorite" film, were another innovation aimed to entice viewers back to the Oscars.
Producers who hoped for a triumph for last year's mega hit "Spider-Man: No Way Home" were disappointed.
Zack Snyder's cult following helped him win for "Army of the Dead," and he also received the second "Oscars cheer moment" award for a scene from his recut version of superhero film "Justice League."
The rewards, which were announced in a series of quick video montages, were barely missed in the audience.
