"I'm here to get you the 18-24 year-old demographic," so said Justin Bieber to Billy Crystal during an opening segment that saw the nine-time Oscar host insert himself in Best Picture nominees "Hugo," "The Artist," "Midnight In Paris" and "Moneyball," as well as blockbusters like "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol."
For the "Midnight in Paris" segment, Crystal donned black face to play Sammy Davis, Jr. -- an impersonation he made famous during the 1980s.
"That was extremely loud and incredibly close," Crystal quipped following the pre-taped segment. "That's how my relatives are watching the show."
He later added, "Tonight, enjoy yourselves, because nothing can take the sting out of the world's economic problems like watching millionaires present each other with golden statues."
Crystal went on to parody the nine nominees with songs, including "That's Amore" for Best Picture nominee "Hugo."
Later in the broadcast, Crystal mocked the GOP candidates while introducing presenter Christian Bale. You can watch a clip of the performance below.
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"I'm here to get you the 18-24 year-old demographic," so said Justin Bieber to Billy Crystal during an opening segment that saw the nine-time Oscar host insert himself in Best Picture nominees "Hugo,"...
"I'm here to get you the 18-24 year-old demographic," so said Justin Bieber to Billy Crystal during an opening segment that saw the nine-time Oscar host insert himself in Best Picture nominees "Hugo,"...
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Billy Crystal was best in his sincere tribute to his friend, veteran Oscar producer Gil Cates, who died last year. However, memories are a funny thing and it's unfortunate Crystal had to compete with long ago terrific performances by himself.
It was as if Crystal was preserved in time like Austin Powers, thawed out for the 84th Annual Academy Awards, and recycled past bits without trying at all to show off something fresh and new.
Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful! Billy was as good as I always knew he would be. So glad to see some real humor again. Loved Emma Stone, Robert Downey, Will Ferrel and all the other skits. This is the best Oscar I have seen in YEARS! I am up there in age. Please don't tell anyone in Hollywood...
Nan_Brown: Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful! Billy was as good as I always
Love all the slams at old age and older people posting here. Too bad the infants didn't get their usual smatter of poop, pee and junior high sex jokes. If anyone is responsible for bad taste and lousy movies it is them. Let the old ones have the Oscars. Most of the crappy movies made these days are for the young. Mature people seldom attend the movies anymore. There is better and more adult entertainment on television such as HBO and Showtime and other cable channels. Wait until you grow up and all you have to choose from at the movies are lame adolescent comedies and movies where the plot centers around who can torture or chop up bodies into parts. Or, hopefully, we will have younger generations coming up who will actually be interested in movies that have substance and import rather than just finding such films "boring." If some of you want boring, look in the mirror.
montanahighline: Love all the slams at old age and older people
Billy Crystal on a bad day is MUCH better than anyone else they have had host the show on a good day. He may not have made everyone roll in the aisles with hysterical laughter, but he still kept the show classy, reasonably funny and it moved with a nice pace. I'll take Billy over anyone else.
Blue_One: Billy Crystal on a bad day is MUCH better than
"Tonight, enjoy yourselves, because nothing can take the sting out of the world's economic problems like watching millionaires present each other with golden statues."
/Best. Line. Ever.
jamesh1954: "Tonight, enjoy yourselves, because nothing can take the sting out
I enjoyed Billy Crystal. The show was pretty predictable. I wish they would've had the singers perform the original song nominees. www.thelettersproject.org
TOats99377: I enjoyed Billy Crystal. The show was pretty predictable. I
First Posted: 02/26/2012 8:46 pm Updated: 02/27/2012 2:19 am