2019 Oscars Props: Trump, Protesters, Mixed-Up Envelopes & More

• The 91st Academy Awards will air on February 24th from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
  
• A heated political climate has many wondering if Trump’s name will be mentioned during an acceptance speech.
• With this year’s lack of a host as well as controversy over new policies, viewership is also a big question.
  

The upcoming Academy Awards are not only a chance to guess who will win the big prizes, but also has potential to see bets about the ceremonies’ nuances and details.

If the last 90 years of Oscars have taught us anything, it’s that anything can happen. Stars have fallen on their way to the stage, pranks have ensued, and ratings have bounced up and down.

Here’s a roundup of some of the ceremony’s hot topics along with our predictions for your best bets. You can also visit our 91st Academy Awards odds tracker to see who is favored to win all of the major awards.

Odds a Swear Will Get Past the Censor

You @#!*$…

With outspoken presenters such as Brie Larson, Awkwafina, Melissa McCarthy, and Samuel L. Jackson all slated to take the stage, the chances of on stage (and on screen) cussing are high.

Considering the awards are televised live and clock in at around three hours, the chance of at least one curse word making it on the air is pretty likely.

Pick: Yes (-200)

Odds There Will Be an Envelope Mix Up

La La Land 2.0?

We can’t ever forget the cringe worthy moment when Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty mis-awarded La La Land for Best Picture in 2017 when the wrong envelope ended up in the presenters’ hands.

The goof was the laughing stock of Hollywood, and it’s pretty safe to say that this type of mistake won’t happen anytime soon. Surely the Academy is doing a more particular job of envelope handling after La La gate.

Pick: No (-1000)

Odds on How Many People Will Watch the 2019 Oscars Telecast

What Goes Down Must Come Back Up

Viewership at The Oscars tends to really ping-pong each year between an up or down trend. Last year, the viewership was at 26.5 million, the lowest amount since Nielsen began tracking ratings in 1974.

Last year, the viewership for the Oscars was at 26.5 million, the lowest amount since Nielsen began tracking ratings in 1974.

The trend has been declining each year since 2014, dipping millions each year over the half decade. But, this year the Academy has done a lot of work to shorten the ceremony (despite that notion having its own controversies), and be more inclusive in its big categories.

Perhaps many who have abandoned their Oscar traditions will come back in hopes of being pleasantly surprised.

Pick: Over 26.5 Million (+200)

Odds Someone Mentions Trump in Their Acceptance Speech

A “‘Uge” Possibility

It’s no question that President Trump is the king of controversy. Trump also tends to find himself in pop culture affairs more than most Americans would care to see. It’s also no secret that many of Hollywood’s elite are Democrats, and have been outspoken against Trump in the past.

Mentioning Trump in an actual acceptance speech may seem a long shot, but predicted winners such as Rami Malek, Glenn Close, and Mahershala Ali all have potential to dig in a political remark.

Also keep in mind Alfanso Cuarón is slated to win for Roma, which directly goes against Trump’s narrow scope on Mexico.

Pick: Yes (-1000)

Odds Protesters Disrupt the Oscars Awards Ceremony

The Academy’s decision to move four of the less mainstream categories to the commercial breaks has many in Hollywood up in arms, including Quentin Tarantino, Spike Lee, and Martin Scorsese.

Categories such as cinematography, editing, live action short, and makeup and hair are being edited out of the television broadcast.

Considering so many huge names in Hollywood are upset about these changes, there’s a chance for an upheaval at the ceremony, but it’s not likely it will actually interrupt the presentation overall.

Pick: No (-300)

Odds Someone Falls on the Way to the Stage

Another moment few can forget was 2013 Best Actress winner Jennifer Lawrence famously tripping on her way to the stage to claim her trophy.

Though some have speculated if Lawrence’s fall was a well planned attempt at seeming quirky and relatable, it’s more about the question: Will it happen again?

With Jennifer Lawrence’s fall still fresh on people’s minds, surely the winners will be watching their step.

Betting here, it’s more of a mixed bag. Variables depend on who the winners actually are, how gravity defying their footwear is, and so on. But with Lawrence’s fall still fresh on people’s minds, surely the winners will be watching their step.

Pick: No (-120)