The countdown to the 97th Academy Awards is on, and it’s shaping up to be a chaotic affair, as usual. This year, we’re not just talking about Hollywood drama; we’re talking about an actual musical that started off as a strong contender but might have flopped due to a scandal around its lead actress. Sorry, “Emilia Pérez”. Skandal!

The latest buzz has three shiny contenders for the coveted Best Picture title: “Anora,” “The Brutalist,” and “Conclave”. These films are vying for the glory amidst a vibes-destroying backdrop of wildfires wrecking LA neighborhoods and the entertainment industry still grappling with pandemic fallout and the writers’ strike. Sounds uplifting, right?

So, how do you catch this high-stakes soirée? Mark your calendars! The Oscars will air live on ABC at 7 p.m. ET and stream on Hulu for the first time. That red carpet glamour begins at 3:30 p.m. ET, when the stars will saunter in, glittering like they’re not also just trying to cope with the state of the world.

Who’s hosting the circus this time around? Cue Conan O’Brien! Yes, he’s stepping into the role of emcee for the first time, despite having entertained us in various capacities before. In an interview, Conan waxed poetic about the importance of good cinema in today’s world. Let’s just say his enthusiasm is adorable. If only that enthusiasm could get us affordable housing, too.

Now let’s talk predictions! With the Oscars, it’s like a soap opera where scandal can change the game overnight. After some infamous social media posts from the star of “Emilia Pérez,” “Anora” has surged into the spotlight with promising award wins, while “The Brutalist” and “Conclave” also flex their muscles as contenders.

Any acting front-runners? Demi Moore is making waves with “The Substance,” but don’t sleep on Mikey Madison from “Anora” or the underdog Fernanda Torres from “I’m Still Here”. Meanwhile, Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist” and Timothée Chalamet for “A Complete Unknown” are real competition in the Best Actor race.

Prepare for an entertaining night filled with jaw-dropping awards and performances from the likes of Queen Latifah and the cast of “Wicked”. And let’s be honest, we’re all just here to watch celebrities gracefully pretend everything is okay in their glittery bubble while we silently scream about rent prices on Twitter.