The critics never stood a chance, let’s be honest. Vulture’s first ever ‘Comedians vs. Critics’ live Oscar debate was always gonna be dominated by the professional entertainers, comedians Joel Kim Booster, Demi Adejuyigbe, and Jamie Loftus.
Host Sasheer Zamata, of SNL fame, hosted and judged the debate, which was held at NeueHouse in Hollywood.
The critics, Vulture editor Hunter Harris, Vulture movie writer Nate Jones and Vulture film critic Emily Yoshida valiantly and hopelessly made their case for films and actors who they termed ‘dark horse.’
Yoshida and Adejuyigbe sparred over the universally-loved Roma and the decidedly less-loved BlacKkKlansman. Yoshida pretty much admitted she was playing devil’s advocate, supporting Spike Lee’s buddy cop action-comedy about breaking up a KKK assassination plot because well, it’s time?
“It’s Spike’s year. I’m putting it down,” she said.
Adejuyigbe made the equally potent point that Roma is in black and white, and therefore is clearly art, which, yeah I’m here for that.
Loftus and Jones duked it out over Best Supporting Actor, and again, the comic had the upper hand.
“Sam Elliot is the only contender to potentially win an Oscar for playing literally himself,” joked Loftus, which we were all obviously thinking.
The highlight was Yoshida and Booster, who I once sat next to at a bar, belting out the hit A Star is Born tune “Shallow.” Despite the barbs and takedowns, the shame and defeat, we all came together to sing this played out, super good song. And that was enough for me.
The affable and sunnily sarcastic Zamata handed the comedians an easy victory, capping a real fun night. Vulture should do this again. I hope they do this again.
