For the fourth time and the first time since 2006, all 6 major awards (Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress) went to 6 different films.
Host Seth MacFarlane's repertoire was criticized by some viewers for being racist, antisemitic, homophobic and sexist (e.g. the song-and-dance tribute to female toplessness in cinema "We Saw Your Boobs"). Among the guests that evening, Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis were both extremely offended by MacFarlane's John Wilkes Booth joke, but had agreed beforehand not to make a big deal out of it. Jane Fonda, who co-presented Best Director, later expressed similar sentiments on her blog that much of MacFarlane's humor was inappropriate for general audiences. MacFarlane tweeted two days later saying he enjoyed the experience, but that he would not want to host again.
With Argo (2012) being nominated for Best Picture, George Clooney joins Warren Beatty as being the only two people to receive Oscar nominations for acting, writing, producing and directing.
All of the nominees for Best Supporting Actress portrayed mothers in their respective roles.
First Lady Michelle Obama's presentation of the award for Best Picture via satellite from the White House was viewed by some as inappropriate and politically-charged. The producers later revealed that the idea was conceived even prior to the 2012 Presidential Election, and would have invited Ann Romney if her husband had defeated President Barack Obama. Mrs. Obama is the first person without any prior association with Hollywood to present the award for Best Picture, as well as the first spouse of an American politician since Elizabeth Taylor.