The 2022 Oscars was an event that caused huge waves in Hollywood. The onslaught of Chris Rock by Will Smith, one of the industry’s biggest and most revered stars, has caused the public and the Academy to reorient their perspectives and focus their priorities. And though slapgate became a sensational topic leading to months of disarray, shifting loyalties and social media scrutiny, it wasn’t the only cause of the Oscars ratings slump.
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The Oscars suffer from plummeting ratings
Over the past two years, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has taken a beating in ratings and ratings. The industry’s most definitive and respectable institution that determines and celebrates the year’s achievements then had to shift its focus from broadcast to streaming. In a joint statement released by Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang, they said the otherwise live television show will now focus on the possibility of moving to streaming.
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The 94th Academy Awards currently holds the record for the second-lowest audience in its history at just 16.6 million. Since then, the administration of the Academy has taken drastic measures to increase this number. According to Kramer,
“I think it’s advisable to have producers on for several years and we’re working on that as well. The 95th gives us a great opportunity to link the incredible legacy of the Oscars, the diverse and powerful work we do across the Academy and our vision for the future.
The hiring of Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner was also confirmed in mid-September as producers for the 95th Academy Awards. Their expertise in live televised events confirms that the Oscars chief sought to prevent the gala from becoming a subject of failing views.
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Chris Rock is in demand to host the 95th Academy Awards
The inherent humiliation and public spectacle of Chris Rock on live television in front of millions of viewers and viewers had to be resolved with a great deal of dramatization and closure to the public eye. However, the stand-up comedian stepped out of the spotlight in favor of his 2022 Ego Death World Tour, and despite multiple apologies and extending the olive branch from Will Smith, Rock remains adamant that not to worry about it anymore.
The Academy had offered the actor to come back to host the event in 2023, which he certainly declined. Now that the year is coming to an end, an industry expert shares his opinion on fixing the problem. According to Jeff Sneider of Jhe pegsthe opportunity to bring Chris Rock back will be a surer way to boost Oscar ratings when others aren’t too keen on that happening.
Don’t get me wrong, the #1 way for the Academy to boost Oscar ratings would be to bring Chris Rock back to host. Is there an argument here? I would love to hear it…
—Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) October 7, 2022
If I was Rock, I’d want one of those fences around the stage like in Blues Brothers to protect it from bottle throws.
— Edward Douglas (@EDouglasWW) October 7, 2022
I said it before Chris even left the stage in March
— Ivan Cutchacockoff (@RussianButcher9) October 8, 2022
Through the roof ribs just to hear The Slap jokes
— Gary Michael Walters ☮️🇺🇸🇺🇦☮️ (@garymwalters) October 7, 2022
Sequels are rarely as good as the first
— Nermal2097 (@nermal2097) October 7, 2022
I know he passed away a while ago…but you know this town…things always have a way of coming back, especially if the offer is sweeter.
—Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) October 7, 2022
With the internet taking sides, as usual, it remains a concern that the century-old institution remains stagnant in both network and recorded broadcasting, which has also added to controversies over the years. Coupled with whitewashing claims [#OscarsSoWhite]the road seems long and winding before the Oscars can get back on their feet and become an event of the magnitude it was originally meant to be.
Source: Twitter
