The Oscars are back.

Jimmy Kimmel hosted an actually enjoyable show that made light of Will Smith’s slap from last year but managed to showcase the upbeat side of Hollywood. The winners reflected the odd nature of post-pandemic film business in which strange movies like “Everyone Everywhere All at Once” and “The Whale” snatched victory from cinematic betters like “Tar,” “The Fabelmans,” “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.”

It was the year of nostalgic voting, where actors like Brendan Fraser and Jamie Lee Curtis elicited comeback sympathies from fans who grew up with them. And then were was Ke Huy Quan, whose own story of surviving Hollywood hit a nerve with every Academy voter, and Michelle Yeoh, who put in four decades and deserved a reward.

And then there was Netflix, which has spent millions over the last six or seven years but hasn’t come up with a Best Picture. This year they eked out Best Animated Feature and Best International Film, with a total of four statues going to “All Quiet on the Western Front.” But they were outplayed in the main categories.

What really made this year’s show: the musical performances. Lady Gaga’s last minute stripped down “Hold My Hand” was inspirational. David Byrne, Son Lux, and Stephanie Hsu brought avant garde genius to the proceedings. Diane Warren and Sofia Carson’s “Applause” was incrediby moving. Rihanna sang her heart out. The winner of Best Song, cast of “RRR,” lit up the Dolby Theater with “Naatu Naatu.”

The Oscars producers followed a path that’s turned up lately in awards shows. To streamline them and move it along, some presenters give two awards. This cuts down on introductions and people entering and exiting the stage. This works to the extent that it’s economical, but it also has a numbing effect. Some of the drama of opening the envelopes is lost, but maybe we can sacrifice it.

My only quibble with this year’s show is that other than Harrison Ford, the upper echelon of old Hollywood seems lost. I wish we’d see Jane Fonda, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Shirley Maclaine, Cher, Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, and so on presenting awards. There’s an ever encroaching feeling that the era of the movie star is over. This lack of real authority bears out in photos from after parties like Vanity Fair’s, which is now loaded with TV and reality stars, models, and tabloid subjects.

Still, last night’s show was a success for the Academy, a huge step back on the road to making the Oscars relevant. More tomorrow from the Governor’s Ball, a fizzy shindig filled with hot gossip and great food!

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The Oscars are here at last on ABC, tonight at 8pm. What surprises are in store for us?

First of all, set your DVRs to tape “The Last of Us” on HBO. I haven’t seen it but I assure you, Joel and Ellie live even if something bad happens to them. The show is a huge hit. There will be a second season.

Anyway back to the Oscars: Will “Everything Everywhere” pull off a huge sweep? We know that Ke Huy Quan will win Best Supporting Actor right at the top of the show. He’s the one lock of the night. Michelle Yeoh is likely to take Best Actress, way at the end of the night. She’s almost a lock if Cate Blanchett doesn’t pull off an overturn.

But most everything else is up in the air. The nail biters will be at the very end. Will Steven Spielberg nab Best Director for “The Fabelmans”? Or will “EEAAO” be so strong that the Daniels take that spot. If they do, then their movie is Best Picture. If Spielberg wins, everyone will on the edge of their seats waiting for the last envelope.

There won’t be any slaps or violence of any kind. No cliffhanger there. This year security will be amped, plus everyone will want to be on their best behavior. It should be a funny and moving show, with Jimmy Kimmel at the steering wheel. He runs a live show five days a week. He knows how to do this.

Length of the show shouldn’t be an issue, either. Only four of the five Best Songs are being performed. Lady Gaga’s song will be acknowledged just in clips. That cuts down the time. There will be the usual focus on the In Memoriam section, with Lenny Kravitz singing and playing while the names flash by. There will be the usual “snubs,” of course: who didn’t make it? We’ll find out soon enough.

So get the popcorn, the drinks, and the ballots ready. And follow me from the Dolby Theater on Twitter @showbiz411.