Kumail Nanjiani is receiving criticism for a joke he made about Schindler's List while hosting the Oscars.

As the attendees at the Oscars were settling into their plush seats, one of the guest presenters, Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani, found himself at the center of a backlash. His attempt at a joke about trimming down films to cater to shorter attention spans did not go over well with the audience in the famous Dolby Theatre, and the backlash quickly spread beyond Hollywood. Nanjiani, who was hosting temporarily for the evening, suggested remaking feature films as shorts to save time.

He even came up with witty new titles for familiar movies, which elicited a few laughs from the audience. However, the tone shifted when he delivered the final punchline: "Schindler's Post-It," a reference to the Holocaust drama Schindler's List. The response inside the theatre was mostly subdued, with little laughter to be heard.

But on social media, the reaction was much more vocal, with many viewers questioning the taste and logic of the joke. Some were outraged, calling it "cheap leftist antisemitism" and demanding that Nanjiani not be invited back to the Oscars. Schindler's List, directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1993, remains one of the most acclaimed films in Oscar history.

Starring Liam Neeson, it tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, who saved around 1,200 Jews during the Nazi occupation. The film is highly regarded for its unflinching portrayal of the Holocaust and its exploration of antisemitism. It was also a major success at the Oscars, winning multiple awards and solidifying its place as a modern classic.

But Nanjiani's joke wasn't the only one to cause a stir at the Oscars. Host Conan O'Brien also stirred up controversy with a near-the-knuckle joke about Jeffrey Epstein. The comedian opened the show by referencing the absence of British actors in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories, saying that a British spokesperson had remarked, "Yeah, well at least we arrest our pedophiles." This joke was met with nervous laughter and uneasy reactions from the audience.

The Oscars has always struggled to strike the right balance between levity and seriousness, and this year was no exception. While some jokes may have missed the mark, the awards ceremony still celebrated the best of the film industry. Movies such as One Battle After Another, Sinners, and K-Pop Demon Hunters took home multiple awards, showcasing the diversity and talent of the industry.

In the end, whether it's through controversial jokes or thought-provoking films, the Oscars continues to spark conversation and debate about the power of storytelling and the impact of cinema on our society.