My Oscars and Emmys

It was three years ago when Dan Harmon (Community), Rob Schrab (The Sarah Silverman Program) and myself (Rejectedjokes.com) wrote Hugh Jackman’s musical opening number for the 81st Annual Academy Awards. We decided that because of the recession, the musical opening number should have no budget. It was an amazing experience and somehow the three of us came away with Emmys for our work on the Academy Awards. I figured with the Oscars airing tonight, why not repost the Oscar video, the Emmy acceptance speech and an interview I did three years ago for MakingOf about the whole process. Bottom line- Rob Schrab is a creative mastermind and Dan Harmon is a genius. Still to this day, none of this feels real.

81st Academy Awards Opening Number (CLICK HERE FOR FULL OPENING)

Emmy Acceptance Speech

MakingOf Interview

Proof that this Emmy thing is real

Emmy Winner Ben Schwartz

Why the hell is there an Emmy on my sixty dollar IKEA coffee table? What the hell happened tonight?

I Will Take One More of Those Emmy Nominations, Thank You Very Much

A series of lovely people lended a helping hand and fixed the Emmy nomination for best song so that I am now included. Which means, I have officially been nominated for TWO EMMYS. It still makes no sense to me. I could not be more excited. Thank you to everyone who helped out. Here are the categories to look out for. One takes place during the Creative Arts Emmys, the other takes place on the Prime Time Emmys.

Now it’s “Emmy Nominated” Ben Schwartz

This morning I got nominated for ONE to TWO Emmy Awards!!! Both of which are for writing for a different awards show…which is hilarious! For some weird reason, they forgot to put my name on one of the nominations along side the other Oscar opening number writers but hopefully it’ll all get fixed before the days over. Either way, I am so excited and grateful to everyone who made it possible! Here are the categories I was nominated in:

OUTSTANDING WRITING IN A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SPECIAL

81st Annual Academy Awards • ABC • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 

Jon Macks, Writer 

Jenny Bicks, Writer 

Bill Condon, Writer 

John Hoffman, Writer 

Phil Alden Robinson, Writer 

Bruce Vilanch, Writer 

Dan Harmon, Special Material Written By 

Rob Schrab, Special Material Written By 

Ben Schwartz, Special Material Written By

Joel Stein, Special Material Written By

Chris Rock - Kill The Messenger • HBO • Chris Rock Enterprises and Funny Business in association with HBO Entertainment

Chris Rock, Writer

Louis C.K.: Chewed Up • Showtime • Image Entertainment / Art & Industry

Louis CK, Writer

Ricky Gervais: Out Of England — The Stand-Up Special • HBO • Moffitt Lee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

Ricky Gervais, Writer

Will Ferrell: You’re Welcome America. A Final Night With George W. Bush • HBO • Gary Sanchez Productions, Funny Business in association with HBO Entertainment

Will Ferrell, Writer

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL MUSIC AND LYRICS

81st Annual Academy Awards • Song Title: Hugh Jackman Opening Number • ABC •Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

William Ross, Original Music

John Kimbrough, Original Music

Dan Harmon, Original Lyrics

Rob Schrab, Original Lyrics

This is where we should have put Ben Schwartz, Original Lyrics. Hopefully will get fixed by the end of the day. - Dr. Oscar

A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All • Song Title: Much Worse Things • Comedy Central • Spartina Productions

Adam Schlesinger, Music By

David Javerbaum, Lyrics By

A Muppets Christmas: Letters To Santa • Song Title: I Wish I Could Be Santa Claus •NBC • Muppets Productions in association with The Walt Disney Studios

Paul Williams, Original Songs By

Flight Of The Conchords • Unnatural Love / Song Title: Carol Brown • HBO • Dakota Pictures and Comedy Arts in association with HBO Entertainment

James Bobin, Composer and Lyricist

Bret McKenzie, Composer and Lyricist

Jemaine Clement, Composer and Lyricist

Saturday Night Live • Host: Justin Timberlake / Song Title: Motherlover • NBC • SNL Studios in association with NBC Studios and Broadway Video

Akiva Schaffer, Lyrics By

Jorma Taccone, Lyrics By

Andy Samberg, Lyrics By

Justin Timberlake, Lyrics By

Asa Taccone, Music By

Drew Campbell, Music By

The 2008 ESPYS • Song Title: I Love Sports • ESPN • BTW Productions in association with ESPN

Katreese Barnes, Composer

Justin Timberlake, Lyricist

Steve Higgins, Lyricist

Alex Baze, Lyricist

Rachel Hamilton, Lyricist

Kevin Miller, Lyricist

Jonathan Drubner, Lyricist

Dave Drabik, Lyricist

Standing O

I was one of three writers who created this opening musical number for the Oscars. The whole experience was amazing and surreal. Hugh Jackman, who might be the nicest man in the universe, absolutely nailed it. Someone came in to film us backstage while Hugh was performing the number so there is terribly embarrassing footage of me and the two other writers jumping up and down for joy when the audience gave the piece a standing ovation. Unbelievable. If the video below doesn’t work you can watch it here- HUGH JACKMAN’S ACADEMY AWARD CEREMONY OPENING NUMBER.

Oscar, Oscar!

A few weeks ago, I was hired as one of Hugh Jackman’s writers for the 81st Annual Academy Awards. So…in what has to be the most ridiculous plug I have ever done, I encourage you to watch the Oscars this Sunday and FALL IN LOVE with anything Hugh Jackman says or does. Make sure to fall DEEPLY IN LOVE with the opening number. Thanks kindly.