The 94th Academy Awards broke a three-year streak of hostless ceremonies by enlisting a powerhouse comedy trio. Who hosted the 2022 Oscars? The ceremony was hosted by comedians Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes. Produced by Will Packer, the telecast marked the first time three women shared the stage as master of ceremonies, bringing distinct comedic styles, pointed opening jokes, and memorable mid-show bits to the Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022.
Choosing a multi-person hosting lineup was a deliberate shift by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to revitalize the broadcast and appeal to a broader audience after years of sliding viewership. Rather than relying on a single traditional monologue comedian, the production leaned into the chemistry of three performers who had never hosted the show before.
Why the Academy Chose a Trio for 2022
For several years leading up to 2022, the Oscars experimented with running without any host at all, a format prompted by early exits and controversies from prospective emcees. While the hostless format kept the runtime tighter, it often lacked a narrative anchor to guide viewers through the emotional ups and downs of Hollywood's biggest night.
Producer Will Packer wanted a fresh approach that felt celebratory and unpredictable. By splitting hosting duties among Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes, the production divided the heavy lifting while injecting varied comedic perspectives. Schumer brought her self-deprecating observational humor, Sykes contributed sharp political and social satire, and Hall delivered playful, high-energy physical comedy.
Their appointment also broke historic ground. It marked only the second time in Oscar history that three or more people hosted simultaneously, following the 1987 ceremony featuring Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, and Paul Hogan.
The Opening Monologue and Major Bits
The trio kicked off the night with a joint opening monologue that poked fun at the nominated films, Hollywood norms, and themselves. They didn't shy away from addressing industry controversies or targeting major nominees like The Power of the Dog and King Richard.
One of the most talked-about elements of the evening was how they divided the stage. Instead of standing together for three hours, they rotated through different combinations, occasionally appearing solo or in pairs to introduce awards, roast nominees, and run gag segments.
Standout Moments from the Trio
- The Pat-Down Bit: Regina Hall staged a fake security check in the audience, jokingly singling out male nominees like Javier Bardem and Simu Liu for rigorous bag checks and health screenings under the guise of COVID-19 safety protocols.
- Costume Transformations: Later in the broadcast, Sykes and Hall leaned into physical impressions, dressing up as characters from nominated films—including King Richard and The Eyes of Tammy Faye—while Schumer was dramatically lowered from the ceiling dressed as Spider-Man.
- Consolation Prizes: Toward the end of the night, Hall and Sykes walked through the auditorium handing out joke consolation prizes and movie screeners nobody asked for, keeping the energy loose during the final stretch of the show.
Navigating the Unscripted Chaos
While the hosts brought plenty of prepared material, the 2022 telecast is permanently etched into pop culture history for an entirely unscripted moment that overshadowed the rest of the evening: Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage following a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.
The incident occurred shortly after the hosts had finished a segment and left the stage. When the broadcast returned from commercial, the atmosphere in the room had shifted dramatically. The trio briefly addressed the tension when they returned to the stage, with Schumer deadpanning, "I'm figuring out my outfit change, did I miss anything?"
Despite the disruption, Hall, Schumer, and Sykes successfully steered the remainder of the program to its conclusion, handling a tense and unprecedented live television crisis with professional composure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Had any of the 2022 hosts hosted the Oscars before?
No. For Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes, the 94th Academy Awards marked their very first time hosting the ceremony.
Why did the Oscars have three hosts instead of one?
Producers wanted to split the workload, reduce the pressure on a single performer, and combine three entirely different comedic styles to appeal to a wider demographic of movie lovers.
Did the hosts return for subsequent Academy Awards?
None of the three women returned to host the following year. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel took over hosting duties for the 95th Academy Awards in 2023.
What were the major winners of the 2022 Oscars?
Apple TV+'s CODA won the Academy Award for Best Picture, making history as the first film with a predominantly deaf cast in leading roles to win the top prize. Other major winners included Jessica Chastain for Best Actress and Will Smith for Best Actor.
