The Academy Awards continued its long-standing tradition of not nailing the ending (coughLaLaLandMoonlightcough) at the 2021 Oscars, with a very anti-climactic ending that mostly overshadowed what was a pleasant, history-making event (opens in new tab).

The producers made the puzzling decision to rearrange the final categories of the awards ceremony, awarding the "Best Picture" trophy before the "Best Actress" and "Best Actor" awards (the "Best Supporting Actor/Actress" category also did not open the show, per tradition). This deprived Anthony Hopkins, Chadwick Boseman, and Nomadland of their special moments. Many viewers assumed that the change in the show's proceedings was intended to commemorate the late Boseman, who died of colon cancer in 2020 and was nominated for Best Actor for his role in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Boseman swept the awards season after his death, and his widow graciously accepted the award (open in new tab) on his behalf at the Golden Globes and SAGs earlier this year. It was a somber way to end the awards season, but it would have been a fitting way to honor Bozeman's legacy in film and beyond. Because no trophy was awarded to Boseman, but instead Hopkins for Best Actor in a Leading Role for "Father."

Even more troubling, Hopkins was not present Sunday night, forcing presenter Joaquin Phoenix to accept the statue in his honor. (If the Best Picture category had been held last as usual, the awards ceremony would have ended with a howl of hilarity from Frances McDormand. Yes, please.)

Of course, no one could have predicted Boseman's omission (Hopkins always deserved the Oscar), but nevertheless, the Internet was not thrilled with the conclusion of the 3+ hour event.

The best reactions on Twitter were as follows.