Held in a big tent in a setting that feels like an overly elaborate wedding, the Independent Spirit Awards are the loose, cool Uncle of the Oscars, one that’s sometimes a bit more fun to hang out with it. It’s like the kids’ table at a holiday meal. And though Neil Patrick Harris will have a bigger stage and budget to work with tonight at the Academy Awards, Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell did just fine with fewer resources.
Their opening monologue included jokes ranging from editing to awards season screeners, and was topped off with a song. Even if the jokes didn’t always hit, the charm carried them through. But before they hit the stage, they delivered a full blown spoof of "Birdman," featuring appearances by Adam Scott, Miles Teller, and Bill Hader. After, you’ll see the acceptance speeches, including Paul Thomas Anderson throwing sponsor American Airlines under the bus for losing his luggage. Bennett Miller later apologized, kinda, on PTA’s behalf. In case you missed it, here’s the full list of Indie Spirit award winners, and all the highlights you can handle are available with just the click of the mouse.