Hello! We at Oscars WWTT? believe the beauty of this podcast comes from three things. 1. Looking back at the Oscars of the past to see which winners & nominees have stood the test of time, or not. 2. Trying to understand how or why the Academy voters chose that year’s winners and nominees, and 3) Putting hidden gems and/or movies you haven’t heard of on your radar. For this episode, the 1963 Oscars for the films of 1962 — we get plenty of all three. There are some legendary wins, some historically curious losses and lots of great movies you’ll want to add to your watch list. So join us on an epic adventure as Bruce and “Tex” sift through the sands of time to discover WTF the Oscars were thinking! As always, thanks for joining us!
FILMS MENTIONED
The Longest Day
Lawrence of Arabia
The Music Man
That Touch of Mink
Mutiny on the Bounty
To Kill a Mockingbird
Days of Wine and Roses
The Miracle Worker
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane
The Birdman of Alcatraz
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm
Divorce, Italian Style
Gypsy
Sweet Bird of Youth
Billy Budd
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Long Day’s Journey into Night
Lonely Are the Brave
The Manchurian candidate
Through a Glass Darkly
The Bridge on the River Kwai
David and Lisa
Bonnie and Clyde
Brief Encounter
Dr. Zhivago
Auntie Mame
Elmer Gantry
Some Like it Hot
The Apartment
The Gunfighter
The Omen
Dr. No
Hatari!
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Superman 2
Lolita
Freud: The Secret Passion
Last Year at Marienbad
Seesaw
Taras Bulba
Gigot
Jumbo
Tender is the Night
Walk on the Wild Side
Sundays and Cybele
Jules and Jim
Harikari
Le Eclipse
Autumn Afternoon
Cleo From 5 to 7
Vivre Se Vie (My Life to Live)
Childhood
Sanjuro
Yojimbo
The Exterminating Angel
Midnight in Paris
Knife in the Water Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2009 - The Curious Case of the Slumdog Oscar
2026/05/27 | 1h 14 mins.
Hey Oscar fans, Bruce and “Tex” are back with the 2009 Oscars for the films of 2008. This was an interesting year for many reasons: controversial winners; new formats, a singing & dancing Wolverine as host; and most notably, the reaction to The Dark Knight being snubbed causing the Academy to expand the number of Best Picture nominees from 5 to (up to) 10. As for the movies that were nominated, it’s a curious mix of decent films that really only need to be seen once — and some possibly better movies that have stood the test of time and are even more relevant now! Join us as we break it all down and get behind the scenes stories from Bruce Vilanch who got paid to spend an evening with Hugh Jackman. Thanks for listening!.
Movies Mentioned
*The Dark Knight
**Wall-E
*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
*Milk
*Frost/Nixon
*Changeling
*Revolutionary Road
*The Wrestler
*Frozen River
*Iron Man
*The Reader
**In Bruges
*The Visitor
*Happy-Go-Lucky
*Hunger
Shame
Billy Elliott
**Good Will Hunting
*A Beautiful Mind
**The Social Network
*Doubt
*Shallow Grave
*Trainspotting
*28 Days Later
The Beach
*Chicago
*Mystic River
**Vicky Cristina Barcelona
*Gran Torino
W
Rachel Getting Married
*The Fighter
*Tropic Thunder
Che
*In the Bedroom
*My Cousin Vinny
Red Belt
**Idiocracy
*Forrest Gump
*Bolt
*Kung Fu Panda
Departures
**Bader Meinhof Complex
Australia
*The Nutty Professor
Maverick: Top Gun Part 2
Contact us: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Encore 1999 - Love vs War
2026/05/11 | 1h 16 mins.
Hey Oscar fans. Bruce and "Tex" are on a slight hiatus, so we're doing an encore presentation of one of Oscar's most controversial years. A year that pit 'Love' VS 'War.'
Of course we’re talking about the 1999 Oscars, for the films of 1998 in which Shakespeare in Love won the Oscar over Saving Private Ryan.
This is known as the year that changed everything thanks to a guy you may have heard of named Harvey Weinstein. In a shocking upset, a brash, shameless, indie upstart managed to out-campaign the Hollywood elite and take home a best picture Oscar for an artsy film about love and Shakespeare. Using the test of time, many people look back at this year as a complete miscarriage of justice. But was it really? And what other controversies and unbelievable moments took place that evening? Bruce was there and is more than happy to share them.. What do you think? Did Shakespeare deserve Oscar love? Or did Saving Private Ryan “Earn it?”
MOVIES MENTIONED
From Russia With Love
Shakespeare in Love
Elizabeth
Saving Private Ryan
The African Queen
Life is Beautiful
The Thin Red Line
Armageddon
A Simple Plan
The Truman Show
Affliction
Civil Action
Apollo 13
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid
In Like Flint
Shine
Rushmore
The Big Lebowski
Rocky Horror Picture Show
A Fish Called Wanda
Gods and Monsters
Hillary and Jackie
Little Voice
Primary Colors
Mrs. Brown
Schindler’s List
Amistad
Warhorse
Lincoln
West Side Story
Munich
The Mask of Zorro
Out of Sight
The Big Chill
Mighty Joe Young
King Kong
What Dreams May Come
Pleasantville
Velvet Goldmine
Beloved
The Last Days
Dance Maker
The Farm Angola USA
Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth
Regret to Inform
Prince of Egypt
Patch Adams
Mulan
A Bug’s Life
The Horse Whisperer
Babe: Pig in the City
Skyfall
Barbie
Quest From Camelot
Wicked
Tango
The Grandfather
Children of Heaven
Central Station
Frankenstein
Bride of Frankenstein
American History X
Two Women
Lord of the Rings
One True Thing
Gia
Bulworth
The Best Years of our Lives
E.T.
The Day the Clown Cried
Guilty By Suspicion
On the Waterfront
Streetcar Named Desire
East of Eden
A Face in the Crowd
Splendor in the Grass
America, America
Gentleman’s Agreement
Viva Zapata Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1943 - Minvers, Ambersons & The Pride of the Yankees Doodle Dandy
2026/05/04 | 1h 14 mins.
Welcome Oscar fans. Bruce is back to help break down the 1943 Oscars for the films of 1942. It’s another stacked year with 10 Outstanding Picture nominees (most of which are very deserving) and yet, there are still several other great films left out in the cold. And while there are a few curious decisions and omissions, most of the winners in all the categories are surprisingly and refreshingly solid. Instead of controversy — this is definitely an episode you’ll want to take notes during, because there are a lot of hidden gems to go with the classics. Either way, you’re going to want to update your ‘Watch List!’ As always for joining us for another look back at the Oscars of the past, through the lens of today!
Movies Mentioned
*Mrs. Miniver
*The Magnificent Ambersons
*Yankee Doodle Dandy
*The Pride of the Yankees
*The Talk of the Town
*The Invaders AKA The 49th Parallel
*King’s Row
The Pied Piper
*Random Harvest
Wake Island
*Now Voyager
*To Be or Not To Be
*The Palm Beach Story
*Johnny Eager
Around the World in 80 Days
*The Letter
*The Little Foxes
Wuthering Heights
Doddsworth
*Angels With Dirty Faces
*My Sister Eileen
Woman of the Year
*I Married a Witch
*This Gun for Hire
*Tortilla Flat
*The Affairs of Cellini
*The Wizard of Oz
*Shadow of a Doubt
Holiday inn
White Christmas
*Road to Morocco
One of Our Aircraft is Missing
The Black Swan
Jungle Book
Bambi
Arabian Nights
The Shanghai Gesture
The Corsican Brothers
The Battle of Midway (first Documentary Winner) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bonus - The Freakishly Fantastic Films of 1995
2026/04/27 | 1h 1 mins.
1995, an objectively incredible year for movies, doesn’t get talked about enough…until now! Having done the research for our 1996 Oscars, “Tex” And Mark were amazed at just how many outstanding, Oscar-worthy films came out this year — so many in fact, that we could hold an ‘Alternate Oscars’ and only include non-nominated films, directors and performances. So… That’s we did! Join us as we have some fun discussing the freakishly fantastic films of 1995 and offer our picks for an Oscars that didn’t happen — but certainly could have! We’ll be back with a regular episode next week. (The 1943 Oscars for anyone who wants to do some homework and watch some of the films of 1942!)
Movies Mentioned
(*) Recommended
**Braveheart
*Apollo 13
*Babe
*Sense & Sensibility
*Il Postino: The Postman
**The Usual Suspects
**Leaving Las Vegas
*Dead Man Walking
*Toy Story
*Casino
**Heat
**Twelve Monkeys
**Se7en
*Crimson Tide
*The American President
Goldeneye
*Mr. Holland’s Opus
*To Die For
**Zone of Interest
**Anatomy of a Fall
*Past Lives
*I’m Still Here
Emilia Pérez
**Sentimental Value
*The Secret Agent
**Parasite
**Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
*Life is Beautiful
*Cries and Whispers
**The Lives of Others
**A Separation
**City of God
**Ran
**81/2
**La Dolce Vita
Showgirls
*Clueless
*Kids
*Devil in a Blue Dress
*The Crossing Guard
Panther
*The Quick and the Dead
Nixon
*Bridges of Madison County
*Get Shorty
*Living in Oblivion
*Safe
Dangerous Minds
*Dolores Claiborne
Georgia
Rob Roy
Funny Bones
*Kiss of Death
Walking Dead
Boys on the Side
Circle of Friends
Exotica
*Before Sunrise
*The Secret of Roan Inish
The Brothers McMullen
*Clockers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ever watched the Academy Awards and thought, What were they thinking? You’re not alone. Join legendary comedian and writer of over 25 Oscar telecasts, Bruce Vilanch, and screenwriter/film nerd Adam “Tex” Davis (Just Friends) as they dive into Oscar history, unpacking the flubs, snubs, and surprises from Hollywood’s biggest night. From behind-the-scenes stories of A-list stars to insider insights on how the nominations and winners are really chosen, Bruce and Tex break down each Oscar ceremony year by year to reveal what the Academy got right—and what they didn’t. If you’ve ever questioned why your favorite movie or actor got overlooked, this podcast is for you. The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?
Did you know that two of the Top 100 American Films of All-Time came out the same year but weren’t even nominated for an Academy Award? Or that the film often cited as the ‘Greatest Film of All Time’ didn’t win the Oscar in its year? Or that Cuba Gooding Jr. has the same number of acting Oscars as Al Pacino?
Look, stuff happens. But if you’ve ever watched or read about the Academy Awards, you’ve probably been left scratching your head over which movies and performers won – and how many beloved films weren’t even considered.
Why do so many Best Picture winners become some of the least remembered movies? How is it that legendary directors like Stanley Kubrick never won an Oscar? And why do great actors miss out on their best performances, only to win later for less impressive work?
Sure, the Oscars aren’t sports – there’s no scoreboard to show the winners. But with so many Academy members voting, you’d think they’d get it right. Spoiler alert: They often don’t.
On The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?, Bruce Vilanch and Adam “Tex” Davis take a deep dive into Oscar history, looking back at the biggest mistakes, controversies, and snubs. From Shakespeare in Love beating Saving Private Ryan to Dances with Wolves winning over Goodfellas, we’ll examine where the Academy went wrong.
Along the way, you’ll hear incredible behind-the-scenes stories and never-before-told moments from Hollywood’s biggest night. We’re re-examining each Oscar ceremony, year-by-year, award-by-award, to see what the Academy got right, what they missed, and how we would “fix” the Oscars.
Whether you’re a dedicated movie buff or just a casual fan, this is the podcast for you. Join us for The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?, where we break down the flubs, snubs, and forgotten gems of Oscar history.
South Africa