In an epic bungle before 33 million viewers — one that could get his company fired as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences’ accountant after 83 years and which robbed “Moonlight,” an all-black, gay-themed film, of its proper moment of celebration — Mr. Cullinan caused the show-business musical “La La Land” to be mistakenly named best picture at the 89th Academy Awards.
I’ve shared my personal apology, the firm’s apology, and I’ve begun to talk to them about things we can do to make it right.”
The firm declined to make Mr. Cullinan available for an interview, but it later said
that once he mistakenly handed out the wrong envelope, “protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr. Cullinan or his partner.”
In keeping with past practice, PwC prepared two identical sets of sealed envelopes before the Oscars show.
(As they walked off the stage, Mr. DiCaprio handed her the envelope and said, “Make sure you keep this.”)
Next up: Mr. Beatty and Ms. Dunaway, reuniting to mark the 50th anniversary of “Bonnie and Clyde” and announce the best picture winner.
Mr. Natoli, the stage manager, was the one who approached Mr. Horowitz, the “La La Land” producer, to see
that the envelope he was holding was the spare announcing Ms. Stone’s acting win.
But many voices in many kinds of films were honored.”
This account of the awards show’s frantic final moments was based on interviews with producers of both “La La Land”
and “Moonlight”; academy officials; crew members for the telecast; and PwC executives.
