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Neil Patrick Harris' Opening Oscar Monologue Lands With A Thud, Says Jack Black

Neil Patrick Harris' Opening Oscar Monologue Underwhelms, Just Ask Jack Black

Jack Black has a strong opinion about Neil Patrick Harris' opening monologue at the 87th annual Academy Awards, and he's not impressed.

"Believe me Neil, you're better off just polishing your Tony!"

He's not wrong. Black interrupted Harris' tepid musical monologue and tribute entitled "Moving Pictures" with some interjections of his own, delivered in the key of Tenacious D. The Oscar host performed alongside Anna Kendrick, clad in her full "Into the Woods" Cinderella garb.

Before Black rushed the stage, Harris started off his sing-song medley by referencing the Oscars' alleged diversity controversy, saying, "Tonight we honour Hollywood's best and whitest. Sorry, brightest!" The camera promptly cut to Benedict Cumberbatch, who was appropriately dressed in a white tuxedo jacket.

The song was penned by "Frozen"'s "Let It Go" hitmakers Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, and was meant to be a cheeky ode to cinema. Later, Harris prayed for "somebody [to pull] a Kanye West" at the ceremony, but the joke landed with a thud as the camera focused on Clint Eastwood, who looked bored.

The two-time Emmy host and four-time Tony host appeared to be out of his depth on the big Oscar stage, engulfed by the holograms and tributes to memorable Hollywood moments. Thankfully, Kendrick was there to liven up the show and add a touch of brevity to the beginning of his performance.

"And such happy endings except for in "Gone Girl" when that lady slit your throat," said Kendrick.

"Spoiler alert!" added Harris.

Harris' lacklustre opening was followed by an poorly-timed joke about Best Documentary Short Subject winner Dana Perry's dress, shortly after she made a passionate plea about her son's suicide.

Looking to make up for his underwheming start, the "How I Met Your Mother" star then walked out into the audience in white underwear briefs in an homage to Michael Keaton's turn in "Birdman."

Did Harris win you over? Sound off in the comments below.

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