“It was like the old times, you know, just caravanning across the country,” the musician said. Rains had stranded thousands at the annual desert fest.

The sun has set on comedians like Marlon Wayans, Mo'Nique and Chris Rock, whose latest offerings were lackluster. Black Gen X comedy has nothing new to say.

Rock, who has twice hosted the awards ceremony, took aim at the motion picture academy while praising Sandler's career.

“I cannot tell you how many Will Smith jokes we had that then we got rid of," said Molly McNearney.