Entertainment
The Oscars 2026 Are Here And the Gap Between Who Will Win and Who Should Win Is Wider Than Ever…
As Hollywood gears up for the 98th Academy Awards, THR’s top critics reveal the names the Academy is likely to crown — and the ones that actually deserve the gold.
Every year, as the red carpet gets rolled out and the speeches get rehearsed, one conversation dominates Hollywood: not just who will win, but who should. And for the 98th Annual Academy Awards — better known as the Oscars 2026 — that gap between the expected and the deserved might be the most talked-about subplot of the entire ceremony.
The Hollywood Reporter’s awards expert Scott Feinberg and chief film critic David Rooney have both weighed in ahead of tonight’s show, and what emerges from their analysis is a picture of an Academy that is, as always, torn between honoring prestige and acknowledging true artistic brilliance.
So let’s break it down — category by category — and make sense of the night ahead.
Best Picture: The Frontrunner Nobody Can Quite Argue With
The Best Picture race this season has been anything but predictable. The films vying for the top prize represent a striking range of ambition — from sweeping historical epics to intimate character studies. What the pundits largely agree on, however, is that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences tends to reward a certain kind of movie: one that feels “important” without being too challenging.
The film most likely to walk away with the statue is the kind of prestige production that checks those boxes. It has the right producer pedigree, the right awards-circuit momentum, and the right emotional arc. But does it represent the best filmmaking of the year? That depends on who you ask.
Critics like Rooney have been more enthusiastic about a different contender — something rawer, more formally daring, and ultimately more honest about the human condition. That film may very well leave the night empty-handed, which would be a quiet tragedy dressed up in an expensive tuxedo.
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Best Director: The Snub Waiting to Happen
Historically, the Directors branch of the Academy has shown a preference for scope over subtlety. Grand canvases. Technical mastery. The director who makes you feel the scale of what they’ve built.
This year’s lineup features one name — a filmmaker whose work has been described as a career-defining achievement — who is the odds-on favorite according to virtually every prediction model tracked by Gold Derby. And yet, there is another name in that category: a director who delivered something quieter, more personal, and more original. A film that crept under the skin rather than demanding attention.
If the Academy goes with the expected choice, it will be a safe, defensible call. If it surprises everyone and goes the other way, it will be one of those rare moments the ceremony is remembered for beyond the memes.
Best Actress: The Role of a Lifetime vs. the Performance of the Year
Few categories at this year’s Oscars carry the weight that Best Actress does.
The frontrunner has delivered what many are calling one of the most controlled, precisely calibrated performances in recent memory — a transformation that required not just acting skill but genuine emotional excavation. Her campaign has been meticulous, her press tour warm and disarming, and her industry relationships are the envy of her competitors.
But here’s the thing: there is another performance in this race that multiple critics — including those at The Hollywood Reporter — consider the more revelatory work. Less polished, more dangerous, utterly without vanity. The kind of acting that makes you forget you’re watching acting.
The Academy will likely reward the former. Cinephiles will quietly mourn the latter.
Best Actor: A Crowded Field, a Clear Favorite
The Best Actor category has been somewhat more predictable this cycle, though “predictable” at the Oscars is always a relative term.
The performance generating the most heat belongs to an actor whose career has long been considered one of the most interesting in Hollywood — someone who has circled this kind of material for years and finally found the role that synthesizes everything he’s capable of. His work this year is being described by critics as the fullest expression of his abilities to date.
Whether the Academy agrees is another question. Voters have complicated relationships with actors they admire — sometimes honoring career achievement over individual performance, sometimes doing the opposite. This year, the two impulses seem to be pointing in the same direction, which is unusual. Don’t be shocked if the envelope produces the name everyone expects.
Best Supporting Actress and Actor: Where the Real Surprises Live
If history has taught awards watchers anything, it’s that the supporting categories are where the Oscars come alive. The Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor races are this year’s most genuinely contested fields, and either one could produce the evening’s defining moment.
Both categories feature a blend of seasoned veterans and relative newcomers — actors whose work in smaller, stranger films somehow managed to cut through the noise of a very crowded release calendar. One supporting performance, in particular, has been praised by both Feinberg and Rooney as the kind of work that elevates every scene it’s in — and arguably elevates the film itself beyond what it might have been without that presence.
The Ones That Should Have Been Here
No Oscars conversation is complete without the names that aren’t in the room.
This year’s omissions have sparked the usual outrage on social media and in the pages of Variety and IndieWire Films that critics championed throughout the year that didn’t find traction with Academy voters. Performances that dazzled festival audiences but somehow failed to translate into nomination momentum. Directors whose vision was clearly singular but whose films weren’t released through the right studios at the right time.
The Academy, for all its reforms over the past decade, still operates within a system shaped by money, relationships, and campaigns. That’s not a cynical observation — it’s just the reality of how nominations are accumulated. And some of this year’s best work fell victim to that system.
What Tonight Is Really About
Underneath all the analysis, the predictions, and the discourse, the Oscars remain something genuinely worth caring about — not because they get it right every time, but because they force us to argue about what cinema means, what stories deserve to be told, and who gets to tell them.
The 98th Annual Academy Awards will produce winners who will carry those gold statuettes into a world that is still figuring out what the movies are for in an era of streaming, AI-generated content, and fractured attention spans. That context makes tonight’s choices feel more urgent than usual.
Whatever the Academy decides, the conversation will continue. It always does.
The 98th Annual Academy Awards ceremony airs tonight. Full results will be updated as the evening unfolds.
Entertainment
Jane Fonda Clarifies Oscars Remark on Barbra Streisand’s Tribute to Robert Redford… ‘That’s Not What I Meant’
At a nostalgic Hollywood gathering, Jane Fonda revisits her comments on Barbra Streisand’s Oscars moment—bringing fresh attention to one of cinema’s most iconic friendships.
Hollywood thrives on moments—some scripted, others spontaneous. And sometimes, even a passing remark can spark a conversation that travels far beyond the red carpet.
That’s exactly what happened when Jane Fonda revisited her earlier comments about Barbra Streisand and her heartfelt tribute to Robert Redford at the Academy Awards.
Appearing at the opening night of the TCM Classic Film Festival, Fonda took a moment to clarify what she meant—offering a glimpse into both her perspective and the enduring relationships that define Hollywood’s golden era.
A Comment That Sparked Conversation
It all began with Fonda’s reaction to Streisand’s tribute to Redford at the Oscars—a moment that was meant to celebrate decades of cinematic brilliance and friendship.
However, Fonda’s initial remark was interpreted by some as critical or dismissive, prompting discussions among fans and media alike.
ALSO READ : Younghoe Koo Explains Botched Field Goal After Slip: “The Ball Was Moving So I Pulled Up”
Now, speaking candidly, she has stepped back from that interpretation.
“It wasn’t meant the way it sounded,” Fonda suggested during her appearance, emphasizing that her words were taken slightly out of context.
In an industry where every statement can be amplified instantly, even legends like Fonda are not immune to misinterpretation.
A Reunion Rooted in Nostalgia
The setting for this clarification couldn’t have been more fitting.
The TCM Classic Film Festival honored the 1967 romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park, a film that brought Jane Fonda and Robert Redford together on screen in one of their most beloved collaborations.
That film, directed by Gene Saks, captured a moment in time when Hollywood storytelling was shifting—blending humor, romance, and modern sensibilities.
For audiences, it wasn’t just a movie. It was the beginning of a cinematic pairing that would become iconic.
And decades later, the bond between its stars continues to resonate.
Barbra Streisand’s Tribute and Its Impact
When Barbra Streisand took the stage at the Oscars to honor Redford, it was more than just a tribute—it was a reflection of shared history.
Moments like these remind audiences that Hollywood isn’t just about films; it’s about relationships, collaborations, and the passage of time.
Streisand’s words carried emotional weight, celebrating Redford’s contribution to cinema and his lasting legacy.
For many viewers, it was one of the most touching segments of the night.
Why Fonda’s Words Matter
When someone like Jane Fonda speaks, people listen.
Her career spans generations, and her voice carries both authority and authenticity. That’s why even a small comment can quickly gain attention.
But her decision to clarify also reflects something deeper—an understanding of how narratives can shift in today’s fast-moving media landscape.
Rather than letting speculation grow, she chose to address it directly.
Hollywood’s Ever-Evolving Narrative
This episode highlights a broader truth about modern Hollywood: the story doesn’t end when the cameras stop rolling.
In today’s world, interviews, appearances, and social reactions all become part of the narrative.
Events like the TCM Classic Film Festival serve as reminders of where the industry has been—while moments like this show how it continues to evolve.
Even legends must navigate a space where every word can be analyzed, shared, and sometimes misunderstood.
A Legacy That Endures
At its core, this story isn’t about controversy—it’s about legacy.
The connection between Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, and Barbra Streisand represents a chapter of Hollywood history that continues to inspire.
Their work, their collaborations, and even their public moments remind us why cinema holds such a powerful place in culture.
And perhaps that’s the real takeaway: beyond headlines and interpretations, what remains is the art—and the people who made it unforgettable.
Entertainment
Jane Fonda Revisits Oscars Moment: What She Really Meant About Barbra Streisand’s Tribute to Robert Redford
At a nostalgic Hollywood gathering, Jane Fonda revisits her comments on Barbra Streisand’s Oscars moment—bringing fresh attention to one of cinema’s most iconic friendships.
Hollywood thrives on moments—some scripted, others spontaneous. And sometimes, even a passing remark can spark a conversation that travels far beyond the red carpet.
That’s exactly what happened when Jane Fonda revisited her earlier comments about Barbra Streisand and her heartfelt tribute to Robert Redford at the Academy Awards.
Appearing at the opening night of the TCM Classic Film Festival, Fonda took a moment to clarify what she meant—offering a glimpse into both her perspective and the enduring relationships that define Hollywood’s golden era.
A Comment That Sparked Conversation
It all began with Fonda’s reaction to Streisand’s tribute to Redford at the Oscars—a moment that was meant to celebrate decades of cinematic brilliance and friendship.
However, Fonda’s initial remark was interpreted by some as critical or dismissive, prompting discussions among fans and media alike.
ALSO READ : Younghoe Koo Explains Botched Field Goal After Slip: “The Ball Was Moving So I Pulled Up”
Now, speaking candidly, she has stepped back from that interpretation.
“It wasn’t meant the way it sounded,” Fonda suggested during her appearance, emphasizing that her words were taken slightly out of context.
In an industry where every statement can be amplified instantly, even legends like Fonda are not immune to misinterpretation.
A Reunion Rooted in Nostalgia
The setting for this clarification couldn’t have been more fitting.
The TCM Classic Film Festival honored the 1967 romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park, a film that brought Jane Fonda and Robert Redford together on screen in one of their most beloved collaborations.
That film, directed by Gene Saks, captured a moment in time when Hollywood storytelling was shifting—blending humor, romance, and modern sensibilities.
For audiences, it wasn’t just a movie. It was the beginning of a cinematic pairing that would become iconic.
And decades later, the bond between its stars continues to resonate.
Barbra Streisand’s Tribute and Its Impact
When Barbra Streisand took the stage at the Oscars to honor Redford, it was more than just a tribute—it was a reflection of shared history.
Moments like these remind audiences that Hollywood isn’t just about films; it’s about relationships, collaborations, and the passage of time.
Streisand’s words carried emotional weight, celebrating Redford’s contribution to cinema and his lasting legacy.
For many viewers, it was one of the most touching segments of the night.
Why Fonda’s Words Matter
When someone like Jane Fonda speaks, people listen.
Her career spans generations, and her voice carries both authority and authenticity. That’s why even a small comment can quickly gain attention.
But her decision to clarify also reflects something deeper—an understanding of how narratives can shift in today’s fast-moving media landscape.
Rather than letting speculation grow, she chose to address it directly.
Hollywood’s Ever-Evolving Narrative
This episode highlights a broader truth about modern Hollywood: the story doesn’t end when the cameras stop rolling.
In today’s world, interviews, appearances, and social reactions all become part of the narrative.
Events like the TCM Classic Film Festival serve as reminders of where the industry has been—while moments like this show how it continues to evolve.
Even legends must navigate a space where every word can be analyzed, shared, and sometimes misunderstood.
A Legacy That Endures
At its core, this story isn’t about controversy—it’s about legacy.
The connection between Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, and Barbra Streisand represents a chapter of Hollywood history that continues to inspire.
Their work, their collaborations, and even their public moments remind us why cinema holds such a powerful place in culture.
And perhaps that’s the real takeaway: beyond headlines and interpretations, what remains is the art—and the people who made it unforgettable.
Entertainment
Whitney Cummings Takes on Love and Family Drama in New Fox Show ‘Marriage Market’… But There’s a Twist
The comedian steps into the world of unscripted reality TV, where singles hand over their dating lives to their families—creating a mix of chaos, culture, and unexpected romance.
In an era where dating apps dominate modern romance, a new television show is about to flip the script—and it’s bringing families back into the equation.
Comedian and actress Whitney Cummings is set to host Marriage Market, an unscripted series for Fox that promises to blend humor, tradition, and emotional stakes in a way audiences haven’t quite seen before.
The premise is simple—but surprisingly bold: singles looking for love will hand over the matchmaking process to their families.
Yes, you read that right.
When Families Take Control of Love Lives
Unlike swipe-based dating culture, Marriage Market explores a concept deeply rooted in tradition—family involvement in finding a life partner.
ALSO READ : Younghoe Koo Explains Botched Field Goal After Slip: “The Ball Was Moving So I Pulled Up”
Participants will step back as parents, siblings, and relatives take charge of choosing potential matches. The result? A fascinating mix of generational perspectives, cultural values, and, inevitably, conflict.
In many parts of the world, family-driven matchmaking is still the norm. But bringing that concept into mainstream Western television adds a fresh—and potentially explosive—dynamic.
For viewers, it’s not just about romance. It’s about understanding how love is shaped by upbringing, expectations, and family bonds.
Whitney Cummings Brings Humor to High Stakes
With Whitney Cummings at the helm, the show is expected to strike a balance between emotional depth and sharp humor.
Known for her fearless comedic style and work on shows like 2 Broke Girls, Cummings has built a reputation for tackling relationships with honesty and wit.
Her presence could be the key ingredient that makes Marriage Market stand out in a crowded reality TV space.
Because let’s face it—when families are involved in something as personal as love, things rarely go smoothly.
Fox Bets Big on Unscripted Content
For Fox, Marriage Market represents another step in expanding its unscripted programming lineup.
Reality TV continues to be a major draw for audiences, offering a mix of relatability and drama that scripted shows often struggle to replicate.
By introducing a format that combines cultural tradition with modern storytelling, Fox is clearly aiming to capture a wide demographic—from younger viewers curious about unconventional dating formats to older audiences who may find the concept familiar.
Why This Show Feels Different
What sets Marriage Market apart isn’t just its concept—it’s its emotional core.
Most dating shows focus on chemistry between individuals. This one adds an entirely new layer: family dynamics.
Will parents prioritize stability over passion?
Will siblings push for compatibility or excitement?
And most importantly—will the singles trust their families’ choices?
These questions create a narrative that goes beyond romance, touching on identity, trust, and generational divides.
The Bigger Picture: Love in the Modern Age
The timing of this show is no coincidence.
As dating culture evolves, many people are beginning to question whether technology has made finding meaningful connections easier—or more complicated.
Shows like Marriage Market tap into that uncertainty, offering an alternative perspective.
It suggests that maybe, just maybe, the answers to modern dating challenges could lie in older traditions.
What to Expect When It Premieres
While details about contestants and release dates are still emerging, one thing is certain: Marriage Market is poised to spark conversations.
It’s not just another reality show—it’s a social experiment wrapped in entertainment.
With Whitney Cummings guiding the journey and Fox backing the production, expectations are high.
And if the concept delivers on its promise, it could redefine how audiences think about love, family, and everything in between.
Jane Fonda Clarifies Oscars Remark on Barbra Streisand’s Tribute to Robert Redford… ‘That’s Not What I Meant’
Jane Fonda Revisits Oscars Moment: What She Really Meant About Barbra Streisand’s Tribute to Robert Redford
Whitney Cummings Takes on Love and Family Drama in New Fox Show ‘Marriage Market’… But There’s a Twist
‘Marriage Market’ on Fox: Whitney Cummings Explores Love, Family Pressure, and Unexpected Matches
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