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By Claire Dodds
Life & Trends Reporter
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A leaked pre-show announcement delivered by British comedian and actor Matt Berry before the Oscars has sparked widespread amusement online after footage circulated on Instagram showing a far more irreverent introduction than the one viewers heard during the broadcast.
The clip, shared in an Instagram Reel captioned “We must interrupt your scrolling with this pre-Oscars show message from Matt Berry,” features the actor addressing the audience with a deliberately over-the-top monologue as attendees settle into their seats before the ceremony begins.
Berry’s remarks, which reportedly were delivered before the broadcast went live, lean into the actor’s famously theatrical delivery.
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In the video, he congratulates nominees before joking that the celebration is really only meaningful for a fraction of them, saying the night belongs to “one out of every five nominees.”
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'Musical middle finger'
The actor also pokes fun at the famously glamorous crowd.
“You all look fantastic, except of course for those of you who overdid it,” Berry says in the clip, adding: “We all know exactly who you are tonight.”
The speech continues with a tongue-in-cheek set of “rules,” urging attendees to turn off their phones and sit back and enjoy the show.
“Sit back and act like you’re having a great time,” Berry says. “You work in Hollywood—your whole life is a lie.”
At one point he warns potential winners to keep acceptance speeches short, joking they should “save your sonnets for the after-party.”
Berry also references the orchestra that traditionally plays winners off stage, quipping that the musicians are ready to deliver what he calls the “musical middle finger.”
Because the remarks were delivered before the show officially aired, Berry also jokes about his freedom to swear, telling the audience: “That’s right, I can swear. I’m British, and we’re not on the air.”
While the tone is irreverent, the audience captured in the clip appears largely quiet, with many attendees seemingly distracted while the announcement plays.
The subdued reaction has become part of the viral appeal, with viewers noting the contrast between Berry’s theatrical delivery and the room’s apparent indifference.
'So much charisma'
Online reactions quickly poured in after the video began circulating.
One Instagram user wrote: “Absolutely brilliant!!”
Another commenter praised Berry’s stage presence, writing: “He has so much charisma.”
Others focused on the crowd’s reaction—or lack of one.
“The fact that no in the audience is laughing or seemingly even paying attention only makes it 10,000 percent more awesome,” another Instagram user commented.
Berry is widely known for his distinctive voice and flamboyant comedic style, which has made him a fan favorite across several television projects. He previously starred as the flamboyant vampire Laszlo in the FX comedy What We Do in the Shadows, a mockumentary series that grew into a major cult hit until its series finale in late 2024.
Beyond television, Berry has also lent his voice to other projects, including roles in upcoming entertainment franchises and video games, continuing to capitalize on the distinctive delivery that made the leaked Oscars announcement so memorable.
For many viewers online, however, the pre-show speech simply confirmed what fans already know about Berry’s comedic style: that even a routine awards-show announcement can turn into an elaborate comedic performance when delivered in his unmistakable baritone.
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