4. Short, Pointed Acceptance Speeches
Acceptance speeches at the Oscars are alternately the most tedious, embarrassing, or outright annoying parts of the telecast. This year, it seems like someone gave lessons to all the winners about how to give a concise, sentimental, and remarkably non-self-indulgent thank you to the Academy and everyone else. And lets be honest, playing the Jaws theme to warn winners offstage was nothing short of genius.
3. Live Performances
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwDZFqW75_0 A sizeable portion of the 2013 Oscars was dedicated to live performances honoring, among others, James Bond and Oscar-winning movie musicals. Live performances of various kinds are nothing new for Oscar, but this year the folks behind the golden statues seemed to have learned a valuable lesson: live performance and screen acting are two very different sets of talents, and not everyone can carry off both. Props are due this year for the choice to forsake awkward banter-sessions at the mics in favor of some truly stunning live performances from those who do it best.