The Oscars will be a tearjerker

There are a lot of viral stories nowadays, but there's one in recent memory that has more sticking power than others: Will Smith's infamous Oscars "slap" of comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.

Hollywood's biggest night is back tonight, and the slap's legacy looms while the academy deigns to look ahead at progress (Here's our guide on when and where to watch).

👋 Nicole Fallert here and welcome to Your Week, our newsletter exclusively for USA TODAY subscribers. Last week, so many of you provided valuable feedback on how you like this column and the kinds of stories you'd like to see. If you haven't shared your thoughts yet, click here to please fill out the survey.

This week, we talk with USA TODAY's resident Oscars expert Brain Truitt about his coverage of the ceremony and the films it centers on. But first, don't miss these stories made possible by your USA TODAY subscription:

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'Honoring comeback stories and people who have slipped through the cracks'

What do Michelle Yoeh, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan have in common? Not only are they each nominated for an Academy Award this year, but these actors have made major comeback performances, Truitt told me in a recent phone call. These are performers he remembers from childhood and now they're receiving long-deserved accolades.

"This year is about honoring the comeback stories and people who have slipped through the cracks," Truitt said. "No matter who wins, its gonna be someone worthy."

After last year's ceremony was full of chaos (ahem, the slap), Truitt, who will be covering Sunday's show live, said viewers should expect "more of a celebration and less of a surprise."

Sunday is going to be a tearjerker

An Oscars of career-defining comebacks may have to do with the kind of roles filmmakers are producing, which shed light on unique stories, Truitt said, adding how Yeoh and Quan's nominations were an important moment for Asian American representation. And for nominees like Curtis and Angela Bassett, Truitt said an award would mean recognition for their entire body of work spanning decades in Hollywood.

Truitt expects the ceremony to be a little "safe" after last year, but host Jimmy Kimmel knows "how to toe a line" and with such deserving nominees, he's most looking forward to hearing from the winners.

"That's going to be a highlight, the fact of people are finally getting their accolades and deserving it and being humbled by it," he said.

But as the industry recovers from pandemic era of streaming films, blockbusters like "Top Gun" and "Avatar: The Way of Water" are also strong contenders, Truitt said, showing that audiences are shifting from at-home streaming back to normal moving-going trips to the big screen. But he also credits the pandemic with changing the kinds of stories people want to pay attention to, adding "Everything Everywhere" might not have been a hit a few years ago but "people are hungrier to see different stories."

Brian's expert Oscars predictions so you sound in the know at your watch party:

"Everything Everywhere" leads with 11 nominations and could be the only the third film in history to win three acting categories (and it's definitely a frontrunner for best picture). Read all of Brian's predictions for all major categories here. Important: These are just predictions!

• Best Picture: "Everything Everywhere All at Once"

• Best Actress: Michelle Yoeh

• Best Actor: Brendan Fraser

• Best Supporting Actress: Jamie Lee Curtis

• Best Supporting Actor: Ke Huy Quan

Thank you

Are you watching the Oscars this weekend? Paying attention to Selection Sunday? Either way do something fun and restful. Winter is ALMOST over and we deserve it.

Thank you for supporting our journalism with your subscription. Our work wouldn't be possible without you.

Best wishes,

Nicole Fallert

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Oscars will be a tearjerker