Explainer: What was with that weird Oscar ending and why did the show look different? Toggle share menu Advertisement Explainer: What was with that weird Oscar ending and why did the show look different? Going into the ceremony on Sunday (Apr 25), the show's producers had said they wanted to take “some big swings" in the telecast. One turned out to be switching the normal awards order. Regina King, left, and Aldis Hodge arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Union Station in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark Terrill, Pool) 27 Apr 2021 08:12AM (Updated: 27 Apr 2021 08:14AM) Share this content Bookmark The 93rd annual Academy Awards were always going to be a bit surreal this year. The pandemic changed many of the usual rhythms and traditions of the Oscars on Sunday (Apr 25) night. There was a glamour-filled red carpet but no onlookers or teams of publicists. There were in-person, mask-less winners but not in the usual order, and the speeches were never drowned out with play-off music.