You know, I’ve never been one to defend the sometimes silly decisions AMPAS makes, but reading all of the post-game stuff is a bit tiresome. Yes, the show got the worst ratings ever. No, it wasn’t a great show. Yes, it was probably Plan B after all. Here is Patrick Goldstein giving his suggestions as to how to get more eyeballs to tune in:
Our family’s version of the Oscars, thanks to the magic of TiVo, didn’t drag a bit. If academy chieftain Sid Ganis is going to staunch the bleeding, he needs to put the telecast under the knife. Although I’m sure it will cause a firestorm inside the academy, the technical awards — sound editing, sound mixing, visual effects, makeup and costume design — have to go. No one outside of the academy wants to hear acceptance speeches from people they’ve never heard of, no matter how heartfelt. The Oscars may have once been a celebration of craft, but the world has changed. Today’s audience wants a horse race. The show is just bad TV.
I had easy time reading your blog. But it seems now it’s over :(. Man, this post sucks. I hope at least the next one won’t be.
Come on guys give AMPAS a break. They did a great job. No matter under constraints or not. As for technology awards, I think it’s great. Do you have any idea on the amount of inspiration this provide to kids watching the Oscars?
It’s wonderful to see all the actors. It’s also really nice to see all the other roles get awards too.
You all forget. Film making is collaborative process. One can not be, without the other. And everybody works hard on those sets.
Work on at least one 12 hour shoot for a day, and then give your opinion.
I commend AMPAS on their direction.
Anyone who doesn’t care about Sound Mixing, Film Editing, Art Direction, etc. shouldn’t call themselves fans of cinema at all. In fact, under the word “IDIOT” in the dictionary, there must be a picture of you. The #1 reason I watch the Oscars every year is to see the brilliant unsung artists get the recognition they deserve.
I think the selection of a more appropriate host from the film community itself, better writing and better production editing (out go the songs and production numbers) would improve and speed the show. The elimination of mindless banter between the presenters a couple years helped things, for instance. Stewart was the wrong choice because the is essentially a political satirist. The Oscars are not a political event. The hired outside hosts (Stewart, Letterman, DeGeneris) just don’t work, in my opinion. Crystal and Goldberg did better jobs.
If major surgery is necessary to boost ratings and shorten the duration of the main event, the Academy might emulate what the Tonys did a few years ago. They dispensed the technical awards in a preshow on PBS. As I recall, the took place in the auditorium where the later awards were announced. When they were completed, the network show commenced for the presentation of the acting and other top awards.
Film buffs do care about the “minor” awards and should have a way of seeing their presentation.
What think you other film buffs?
I strongly disagree that the tech awards should be moved off the main broadcast, actually they are becoming my favorite part of the show. There are so many precursors for the main categories that often the winners there begin to feel really predictable, whereas the tech races are usually more wide open and contain bigger upsets (I may not have predicted Swinton or Cotillard to win, but the one real shocker of the night was The Golden Compass visual effects win).
Now I do agree that the show needs to undergo some changes and get shorter. Upset wins in the major categories help but that is not something producers can control, I do think they need to cut down on the montages, cut the introductions to the nominated songs (the songs can stay since they are a part of oscar tradition, but with those intros they tend to take way too long), and possibly move the short film awards to a different night like the science and technical awards (but don’t just cut the categories as it is important for the academy to honor short form filmmaking).
I thought this was the BEST show in YEARS: a LOT of exciting upsets, GREAT host, and most of the speeches were very good, concise, to the point, and except for a few, didn’t have to be cut off by the orchestra. Add to that the quality of the winners and ALL the nominees, and the “Marketa Moment” and you’ve got the best Oscar show I’ve ever seen.
dave says:
“If the Academy wants to make people care about the show they need to make them care about the nominees. Build the awards show like you would build an olympic telecast. Make us care about the nominees, tell us their backstories. Show us more footage of people at the ceremony.”
That’s so on target, dave. Hardly anybody knows the Kentucky Derby ponies before the day of the race. But for hours before the post time the horses get the star treatment with informative heart-tugging tales of their struggles and triumphs in the form of mini-biopics. That way, by the time the starter pistol is fired we feel an emotional connection to the horses and jockeys.
ABC/Disney squanders its opportunity spending an hour with the likes of Miley Cyrus. They sell out the integrity of what the show is all about for a chance to hawk their latest pop-concoction, and then scratch their shaved heads wondering why nobody cares about the movies.
Disney can’t waste all its time (and ours) with dead boring segments of endless Enchantment and mind-numbing TV celebriteasing, and then for the quality films — as almost an afterthought — throw a few trailer clips on screen that we’ve all already seen a zillion times.
It doesn’t matter what movies are nominated. People watch the Olympics without knowing any of the competitors. The Oscars show is the thing at fault here it was boring. If the Academy wants to make people care about the show they need to make them care about the nominees. Build the awards show like you would build an olympic telecast. Make us care about the nominees, tell us their backstories. Show us more footage of people at the ceremony. As I watched this years awards I was utterly bored (& I actually saw almost every single movie nominated this year). They didn’t even do the normal thing of introducing us to each best pic nominee one at a time through the evening. That is one easy way to get people to care. The group who produces the award show just needs to re-shape how they put it together. I know nothing about football what so ever, but I watched the superbowl all the way through. Tell the academy to watch the Superbowl and catch a clue.
“The Oscars may have once been a celebration of craft, but the world has changed.”
When was that? When they gave Best Picture to Greatest Show on Earth over High Noon and The Bad and the Beautiful just to give Cecil B. DeMille an award? When Bette Davis was denied a nomination for Of Human Bondage just because she angered studio bosses? When Dalton Trumbo had to use a pen name because AMPAS would not award an Oscar to someone on the blacklist?
The Oscars have never been solely about craft – backstage politics, sentimentality, and public opinion play a major part as well. Nothing has really changed, just the fashions and hairstyles.
anyother year another complaint. I hate when people suggest we abolish the technical awards because they are given to “people no one knows”. That is ignorant and insulting. What, someone has to be famous to win an award? No one knows who the producers are most of the time, should we stop giving out Best Picture? and people keep on saying the show was low rated because no one saw the nominees. So should we start nominating less acclaimed but popular movies just so the Oscar ceremony will get high ratings?
Every year it is the same mantra: the Oscars are boring, the songs suck, why is Best Sound a category…people need to get over that – these things are what the Oscars are all about. The critics who keep trumping the low ratings card need some perspective. Sure it was the lowest rated Oscar show but it stil got like 30 million viewers – only American Idol and the Superbowl will probably beat it in the ratings. I do believe the strike had a major affect – my TV viewing habits have definitely changed because of it.
I think that the low ratings had nothing to do with the show per se but the fact that people have not really watched TV since the strike begun, so this was really a weird year in those terms. The show was not more boring than they past show actually it was shorter. The tech awards are as important as the acting, directing and screenplay awards. Without these people the movies could not be made so I think it is very important that they get their reward the same way as the actors do not in an obscure cerimony so that the general public can be happy. The only thing that they should have done is to show clips of the movies nominated rather than all those annoying clips about past winners. For those people who had not seen the films it would have been more helpful, and I am sure a lot of people tuned out because of it.
I find this article by Golstein irritating and annoying. AMPAS did the best they could under the circumstances. And the big, popular studio films have been falling short of Oscar caliber in the last few years. So be it. I don’t always agree 100% with AMPAS’s choices, but at least they are sticking to their guns and nominating the films they believe to be of high quality. This is especially true this year and last. It would be a sin if they were to abandon this practice simply to obtain higher ratings. I think Nathaniel’s article says it all, and was a much better rebuttel than anything I could write here.
It was my favorite Oscar show in years… I loved seeing the montage of past winners and thought all the presenters did a great job. It probably had low ratings because people are bored with awards shows and having so many of them back to back. Even with the Golden Globes and other awards shows scuppered, they should try to move some later in the year… having Emmys, Grammys and Oscars within months of each other can only hurt. It has nothing to do with the movies up for awards or how the show is presented.
Taking the techs out would be a horendous decision that would probably stop me watching. If people only wanted to watch celebs win then more of them would watch the golden globes.
The SAG awards started out on NBC but are now on TNT due to low ratings.If ratings are not important then perhaps the Oscars should move to E or TCM if they can’t nominate a few movies that average people want to root for.It’s not a conincidence that the Oscars enjoy their highest ratings when films such as Titanic, ROTK and The Departed are the favorites.
I actually found the Oscar show far less exhausting than in previous years–no Debbie Allen choreographed numbers showing people in period costumes doing fax-Martha Graham moves. There were a nice blend of seriousness and humor–I’m one of the few who found the Judi Dench-Halle Berry bit droll (though longer than it could sustain itself). As someone who is still upset that Julie Christie didn’t get her second Oscar for her incandescent performance (and, whatever the strengths of Cotillard’s performance, which I haven’t seen, I’m just generally tired of seeing biopics seem to win for acting–I almost wish they would be in another category and I will admit to a prejudice against films in which the actor lip-syncs to the original performer’s voice–one reason I think Sissy Spacek is still the most deserving of that category of awards), that’s saying something. Stewart wasn’t as funny as he is on his own show (why would he be), but he seemed a humane and intelligent host–better than the old days of Bob Hope or even the beloved Johnny Carson or those experiments involving a team of “Oscar’s special friends.” And, while, yes, there does seem to be an algebra by which the winners for the more obscure categories seem to give the longer speeches, I also agree that the awards seem to mean more to them–because it may be their ticket to getting more visibility for their work. I’ve watched every Oscar telecast since 1969 (save one when I was in rehearsal myself for a stage production) and this was one of the more bearable ones–and it felt shorter than many. I did miss the tradition of beginning with one of the supporting acting awards (which I know has not been followed every year)–it gets the show off to a “starry” start and makes you want to stick with it. And I’ve read in some places the lament that the Oscars aren’t rewarding enough “name,” high-profile films. If that’s the only solution to keeping them on network television then I see move them to some place like TCM or Bravo, worry less about audience size, and let the Academy honor the films they think best (insofar as they do that)–otherwise we will be back to having to explain why a sufficient number of people thought “The Greatest Show on Earth” was a better film than “High Noon,” “The Quiet Man,” or “Moulin Rouge” (the real one). A.O. Scott’s piece in the Times last Sunday seemed to me a smart commentary, even if it might not agree with all his points.
I agree with John Stevenson that people who love to watch the Oscars don’t care how long it is, and those that have always hated it will never change. I can’t imagine the Oscars without the songs. Does anyone remember the great “Shaft” musical number? It blew me away that year–Issac Hayes in chains! A classic. We need more moments like that! There are definitely ways to cut the show to a more pleasurable length. I always find that there are too many commercial breaks. And I really believe that more comedy is necessary, funny interludes, outrageous moments, not just a host that can keep things moving along. The show needs to be snappy!!
Another bis mistake this year–only Juno was seen by a large number of people. They really should have shown some clips from the nominated films this year instead of those montages.
I like the tech categories. Anyone who loves the movies likes the tech categories. I agree the montages either have to better or they should be cut. There was that awful montage about how the Academy votes–why was that left in?
Though the BAFTAs was also pretty bad this year, one thing the Brits get right are the clips they show in each category. Somehow they manage to find fantastic clips and different scenes from the same film when they’re nominated in various categories.
Why can’t the Oscars do that? Maybe they need to hire a talented filmmaker to help them produce the show as opposed to the old hands they’ve been using year after year.
I caught a last minute crappy connection with some unknown TV using a cirilic alphabet, and local presenters were speaking at the same time ceremony presenters, so I didn’t get anything until Javier spoke, and then I went to bed.
But visually and on the whole, laughs in the audience and so on, it seemed to me an average ceremony. It could have been last year’s or five years ago. I didn’t understand the use of clips of past ceremonies or Barbra streisand talking about herself (well, I never do) and stuff like that, but I assumed it was some sort of 80th anniversary celebration (in the Academy way). While watching it, it never occurred to me that they might be using part of a Plan B.
Anyway, doesn’t the ceremony have to be “long and boring”? It’s part of the whole Oscar pack: the predictions, the snubs, the red carpet, the upsets, the jokes, the split screen to see the reactions… If the following day, you don’t say it was a “long and boring” ceremony you’re just a freak.
I agree with dr_black. Ditch the montages (save for the in memoriam), and you’d save at least twenty minutes. Other than that, leave everything else as is.
I enjoyed it all…
The technical awards, teh montages, the songs. I think they should just keep it. So what if it gets “low ratings” like that means anything anyways.
Leave the technical awards as they are. Leave the songs as they are. Just get rid of the montages. What would be really nice would be to get rid of the annoying ‘so who are you wearing’ pre-shows and just have an hour long show devoted to the nominated films. If people are complaining they sometimes don’t know the films then why not get an intelligent reviewer to discuss them before the ceremony? We can see the pretty people in pretty dresses throughout the entire show, why do we need to have to sit through footage of them ambling down a red carpet?
Everyone deserves a chance to have their moment to shine.
I say you cut how the academy voting works videos, always dumb.
You cut the song performances. I know I’ll take heat for that one but no one else nominated is performing their craft. It’s the Oscars not the grammys, saves u like 25 minutes.
Between those 2 things 30 minutes has been saved.
I honestly think the biggest issue was the strike, so let’s give AMPAS some slack… this year at least.
People who like the Oscars like th Oscars. The people who don’t like the Oscars still won’t like the Oscars, even after their silly “quick-fixes” are instituted. So leave them how they are!
Peop
I agree with Casper and Craig, but I’m not sure if I agree with the people who say we should get rid of the best song performances. I realize it’s a little bit unfair to actually showcase those nominees without showcasing the other nominees in that fashion; however, sometimes you get really great performances. Like, I’d rather not miss that performance from “Once”… I haven’t seen “Once” but that performance alone has me interested in the movie which is great since it’s such a small movie that would not have gotten much recognition otherwise. I agree that a lot of the performances can drag on and be boring, but I find it amusing/interesting to see like Three 6 Mafia performing at the Oscars. I can’t help but laugh at how odd it is seeing this Southern Rap group perform at a “classy” awards show. I don’t know, it actually keeps the Oscars somewhat entertaining for me.
Not too sure about leaving the songs out : some numbers may be a bit corny, but other renditions do remain as great oscar moments. This year, the heartfelt performance by those two (until then) unknowns from Once was moving and will remain in that category. Remember Bruce Springsteen with Philadelphia ? Madonna with Sooner or Later ? Robin Williams with Blame Canada ?? COME ON !!! Those were fun !
Get rid of the technical categories? Why? Those people deserve to have their moment as much as the actors, directors and screenwriters. I’d much rather have them get rid of the performances of the songs than of a minute hearing costume designers who worked long and hard saying their ‘thank you’. And we call those categories technical, but they are very much artistic. Try to watch a movie without production design, see if it goes anywhere. I say let those people have their big moment. Like it or not, they are an essential part of filmmaking and I for one enjoy watching categories like art direction, costume design, cinematography and makeup.
Here’s my choices for cutting:
1) Make Doc. Short, Live Action, and Anim. Short a …”Earlier this evening, awards were handed out for excellence in … etc.”
And 2) Get rid of the performances of the songs. I don’t think most people would really miss them. Include 15 second clips before the winner’s announcement.
Other changes – Though Jon Stewart was fine/ok (especially given lack of time to prepare). We need a better host, or host(s).
As a movie fan, I thought Sunday’s show was actually quite good. I really enjoyed it. But I guess I’m not the general public.
That’s my 2 cents.
I must be in the minority here, and on a different planet, because I really liked the show. Nice set of upsets, basically everything won that should have. Yeah it was long, but it wasn’t painfully long.
I liked it. Guess that’s just me.
The Oscars “may once have been” a celebration of craft? Isn’t the fact that they’ve sticked with categories like Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Editing, not to mention awards for documentaries and short films, a sign that they are still a celebration of craft? What Goldstein is saying is that television audiences don’t care. True enough. However:
a) This doesn’t merit the comment “the world has changed” – I’d wager that the average television viewer has never cared about these categories.
b) Just because these categories are much less popular doesn’t warrant abolishing them. The people in the technical categories are talented artists whose work is just as essential to the films you enjoy as the acting, writing and directing, and they deserve recognition. Are you seriously going to take it away from them because for about ninety minutes a year they bore you with their speeches?
I say, first of all, that I consider the technical categories to still be good television. The people themselves, true, are mostly people I don’t know, but I know the films and it’s cool to see little snippets demonstrating how the makeup was achieved or sketches of the costumes or just a bit of good sound editing. But even if they did indeed constitute bad television, if they were really dull and kept dragging the telecast’s ratings down, if eventually the show died and was relegated to a no-frills presentation ceremony screening at midnight on PBS or something, I’d still rather that than ditch the technical categories.
Remember, the point of the Oscars is not to be a fun four hours of television. The point of the Oscars is to recognise impressive filmmaking on all levels. We need to keep our priorities straight.
Yeh, let’s just give the dumb mass of public what they want. Jeez, I haven’t even seen the movie yet but from what I’ve heard this world gets closer to Idiocracy every year. If you go the way suggested, you get that disgusting situation like last year (or the year before, I forget) where the nominees were shot down like reality contestants as the winner was announced. As is often said it’s “The Oscar goes to -” not “The winner is -“, this ain’t no snazzy competition.
I for one love the kooky little people’s speeches. And the best thing about the Oscars IS that it’s a celebration of craft, art, celebrity, EVERYTHING movies are. I thought this year’s show was the best I’ve seen in 13 years of watching. It flowed beautifully, not a second of boredom, and even the admittedly simple montages served that very same basic notion – that movies effing ROCK – if all you want is sensationalized star crap for ADDs just watch the abysmally embarrassing red carpet coverage, please. I suppose the same batch of people would want the blithering old fool who won the honorary Oscar to get off the stage too ‘cos he’s not properly botoxed; and the obits?!? Please, what a downer, let’s instead find out which future child stars were just born!!! *rolls eyes*
It’s a miracle that even in 2008, the Oscars continue to have such class, and in a year like this with such challenging winners? It’s a jaded dude indeed that complains. Please don’t let’s ruin it like everything else by making it a sugar snack for people who won’t look beyond the end of their own nose.
nah. actually, i love the less showy categories. often those who win for a short subject are far more animated and excited than the actors. at least it’s not the grammys. or the emmys. both of those shows have far more categories and are less interesting.
It was a good oscar show. We need better movies.
In terms of acting winners, was the best show ever. The four best actors won. Last year: Jennifer Hudson (the worst in history, she scream so much, even Tomei was better)??? Barraza or Blanchett should won. In 2006, Rachel Weisz over Amy Adams??? Reese???. In 2005 Foxx over Cheadle???. 2004: Renee zellweger???. 2003: Nicole Kidman over Julianne Moore???. 2002: Broadbent over Kingsley, Denzel over Russell??? 2001: Russell????, jeje, 2000: Angelina over Sivigny???, 1999 Gwyneth over Cate??????? Benigni over Hanks?????, 1998: Hunt over Dench???, and i cant continue. The 80Th will be remember in my mind to be one of the best acting winners in the last years.
I think they should just get rid of the performances for best song. They don’t do anything like that for any other category. There is no runway type deal for costumes, bits of scores aren’t performed, actors don’t act a scene from their performance on stage, so why do we need performances for best song? The songs usually only make sense in context of the film, and the songs typically aren’t very good anyway.
i think im just happy to saw the nominees there. at least we can saw javier, tilda, marion and daniel go up there. I enjoy it. It wasnt the best preduction, but we watch a ceremony and no a press conference. that was great!.
I agree with Goldstein.
i think im just happy to saw the nominees there. at least we can saw javier, tilda, marion and daniel go up there. I enjoy it. It wasnt the best preduction, but we watch a ceremony and no a press conference. that was great!.