The Academy Awards draws crowds to televisions each year to see what Oscars will be given to the best that film has to offer.  While some might disagree with the nominees and the winners, there are some agreeing with the choices that lack diversity in 2016.  This is what is known about the Academy Awards 2016 Schedule, Date, Nominations List, Live Stream; Oscar Diversity with Boycott and Response from Host Chris Rock. 

There has been a lot more spotlight for the Oscars this year due to a lot of people complaining about the lack of diversity in racial groups among the nominees.  This has caused many to boycott the awards, like popular Hollywood couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. 

Variety reports that host Chris Rock is planning on addressing the issue of the boycott directly in his monologues.  It will no doubt be controversial, as Rock’s comedy bits are often stirring much controversy.  Academy Awards producer Reginald Hudlin has said that “Chris is hard at work.  He and his writing staff locked themselves in a room.  As things got a little provocative and exciting, I’m throwing out the show I wrote and writing a new show”. 

As far as the rest of the ceremony is concerned, the official Oscar website has put out a list of presenters and performers, but they have not differentiated between the two.  For example, it is not known if Lady Gaga is presenting an award or performing a song or both.  The list includes:  Steve Carell, Priyanka Chopra, Benicio Del Toro, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Ryan Gosling, Kevin Hart, Lady Gaga, Quincy Jones, Byung-hun Lee, Jared Leto, Julianne Moore, Olivia Munn, Margot Robbie, Jason Segel, Andy Serkis, J.K. Simmons, Sam Smith, Charlize Theron, Jacob Tremblay, Kerry Washington, The Weeknd, Pharrell Williams, and Reese Witherspoon. 

You can find a List of Full Nominees on the Oscar website, but for the big three (Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress) here is where you can see your favorite:

Best Picture:

·         The Big Short
·         Bridge of Spies
·         Brooklyn
·         Mad Max Fury Road
·         The Martian
·         The Revenant
·         Room
·         Spotlight

Best Actor in a Leading Role:

·         Bryan Cranston (Trumbo)
·         Matt Damon (The Martian)
·         Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)
·         Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs)
·         Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl)

Best Actress in a Leading Role:

·         Cate Blanchett (Carol)
·         Brie Larson (Room)
·         Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)
·         Charlotte Rampling (45 Years)
·         Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn)

The 88^th Academy Awards will air live on Sunday February 28^th, 2016 on ABC at 7 PM Eastern time/4PM Pacific, broadcasted from the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood.  The Ceremony Start time will be 8:30 PM Eastern Time/5:30 Pacific Time, and Chris Rock will serve as the host. 

It should be interesting to see what happens with the nominees and the controversy.   Those that are interested in watching the livestream of the event can go to ABC.com or tune in on the WATCH ABC app.  There is even the possibility for fans in the United States to get exclusive access to cameras capturing live red carpet and backstage moments with The Oscars Backstage with a second screen.  More details can be found out here.