"We're not interested in distractions or partisan debate, we're interested in Tom Cruise," a 95th Academy Awards ceremony insider says of this weekend's superstar and blockbuster rich show.

"We want to embrace the diversity of talent and nominees this year, and we want to try to go back to the days of escapism," an AMPAS source adds of the dual ethos of the 2023 Jimmy Kimmel hosted shindig. Escapism may be a hard sell with Netflix's anti-war film All Quiet On The Western Front on the ballot for Best Picture and other categories, but the Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss produced broadcast is aiming to stay primarily politically agnostic and controversary free, we hear.

Officially, the Academy had no comment on the role politics may or not may not play in this year's Oscars.

However, despite a full-court press by some industry heavyweights, the fact is the ABC-broadcast show will once again be one of the few awards shows not to feature an appearance by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Russia's invasion of his country. Oscar vet Joe Biden will not be dropping by either, even though he will be in Southern California early next week.