Big awards shows show us the human side of stars as they navigate spontaneous moments that can even make them nervous. That’s why we like Oscar night, which is the biggest of these. While the show itself may not have won huge ratings points, I found more inspiring and touching moments in this year’s show than usual:

• The many, many winners who wrote speeches because they knew they’d be too flustered to remember everyone, and the many, many winners whose hands were so jittery they could barely read their notes;
• Jennifer Hudson’s authentic and natural expression, “Look at what God can do,” and also “My grandmother… she had the passion for it, but she never had the chance.”
• 73-year old Alan Arkin freely setting his statue on the ground, perhaps a first in Oscar history;
• Clint Eastwood in the role of translator, handling Italian for his friend who won the special award;
• The moment each year where tribute is paid to those who’ve passed, inviting each of us to consider our own legacies and what awaits on the other side;
• Seeing new art forms (at least new for us) in the gymnasts who formed the wonderful real-life figures behind the white screen, as well as the sound-effects orchestra called “The Hollywood Film Chorale Sound Effects Choir.”
• Any time we get to hear James Taylor sing;
• Helen Mirren, who gave her poised speech with no notes and one of her earrings in her hand;
• Nominees Leonardo Di Caprio, Ryan Gosling, and Will Smith standing for an extended time in honor of the Best Actor who’d just won over them, Forrest Whitaker;
• Mr. Whitaker’s impassioned speech about the light inside of each of us and how, through acting, he’s been able to reach his goal of connecting to “everyone,”
• The kind of loose hooting and hollering (for Scorsese’s win) usually reserved for other shows but not the Oscars;

Two other mentions: My least favorite moments were every time the band was cutting people off, especially the second or third writing or backroom partner who’ll never get another chance to thank his wife and love on his kids. And, some kind of special award has to go to Al Gore’s agent or manager for his unbelievably high profile at the Grammys and Oscars. He’s been funny, human, warm, and well-disciplined. He’s doing wonders for our environment–which is needed–and he could probably announce his bid for president, but why would he want to? This has got to be more fun for him!