Criticism of the Academy Awards is hardly new. Glenda Jackson dismissed the Oscars as a “whole shebang of nonsense" during a chat with Entertainment Weekly in 2016. Meanwhile, Oscar Isaac openly criticized the Academy after it unveiled the new and “pretty stupid” Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film category in 2018. And now, Elon Musk has entered the debate, declaring that the Oscars have become “unwatchable.”

Elon Musk has stirred debate online after criticizing the eligibility rules tied to the Academy Awards. His comment came while reposting a satirical tweet suggesting that a classic film like The Godfather would struggle to qualify for awards today under modern inclusion guidelines.

Responding to the viral post mocking Hollywood’s diversity standards, Musk wrote, “Oscars have become unwatchable.”

The discussion centers on the diversity and representation standards introduced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Best Picture eligibility. Under these rules, films must meet certain inclusion criteria related to on-screen representation, creative leadership, or industry access. One option requires that at least one lead or significant supporting actor come from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.

Another pathway allows eligibility if roughly thirty percent of the ensemble cast comes from at least two underrepresented communities, such as women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, or racial and ethnic minorities. The standards also state that a film may qualify if its central storyline focuses on an underrepresented group. These guidelines are part of a broader framework that the Academy introduced to encourage wider representation across the film industry.

Yet even as critics on social media question the Oscars’ relevance, the ceremony itself still leans into humor and self-awareness, something that host Conan O’Brien made clear during his opening monologue.

Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue keeps the Oscars light

When Conan O’Brien stepped on stage to host the 98th Academy Awards, he set the tone with a fast-paced opening that blended classic Oscars humor with a few pointed jabs. The comedian kicked things off with a playful montage inspired by several nominated films, before jumping into jokes about artificial intelligence, Hollywood streaming culture, and the broader state of the entertainment industry.

One of his sharper jabs was aimed at Ted Sarandos, teasing the Netflix chief about watching movies in theaters. O’Brien also poked fun at Timothée Chalamet and his ballet/opera controversy while tossing in quips about companies like Amazon. That mix of humor, cultural commentary, and industry self-awareness reflects how the Oscars increasingly operate in a wider public conversation about Hollywood’s direction.

While O’Brien leaned into lighthearted satire, the debate around the ceremony has grown louder in recent years. And now, Elon Musk has brought fresh attention to the ongoing arguments about the awards and what they represent today.

What do you think about Elon Musk calling the Oscars unwatchable? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Pratham Gurung

Edited by

Hriddhi Maitra