Photo Courtesy of Flickr/Cinema Streaming

Neil Patrick Harris hosted the 87th annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22 .

Every year, the Academy Awards is filled with glamorous fashion, carefully planned punchlines and lots of speeches.  Neil Patrick Harris took on the coveted role of host, but following last year’s host Ellen DeGenerous was no easy task.  The show was full of inspiring speeches, exciting musical numbers and lots of celebrities.  Here’s a few of the best moments from the show:

Neil Patrick Harris in his tighty-whities.

NPH did everything he could to wow the crowd, including a bit that ended with him on stage in his underwear.  The stunt was an outrageous reference to Best Film winner “Birdman,” and it definitely caught people’s attention.

Tegan and Sara and The Lonely Island performed “Everything Is Awesome”.

For an event as respectable as the Oscars, most performances are usually serious and reserved.  Performing the hit song from “The Lego Movie”, Tegan and Sara were joined by The Lonely Island in a number that was one of the most fun moments of the night.  Dancing Legos graced the stage as the singers grinned and jammed out with each other.

Patricia Arquette’s empowering acceptance speech

During her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in which film, Patricia Arquette got the crowd fired up by calling for equal pay for women.  “To every woman who gave birth to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights,” said Arquette. “It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America.”  The remarks excited Meryl Streep so much, she started fist bumping.

Lady GaGa stunned in a “The Sound of Music” tribute.

Lady GaGa wowed the crowd as she performed a medley of songs from the famed musical film to celebrate its 50 year anniversary.  It was a truly triumphant performance, with GaGa’s talented vocals fully on display.  The set ended with the great Julie Andrews coming on stage to give GaGa a hug, as the crowd went wild.

Eddie Redmayne’s adorable speech

Young British actor Eddie Redmayne took home the Best Actor statue for his role as Steven Hawking in “The Theory of Everything”.  Redmayne was visibly emotional, thanking the Academy and promising to be a “custodian” to his statue and clean it often.  The actor dedicated his award to those suffering with ALS, and thanked his family and wife.  His excitement was palpable, and it was a nice reminder of just how magical the Oscars can be.