Oscars: And the Winner Is…Sopranos?

Many critics are pointing to a new episode of the HBO mobster drama, The Sopranos, as the primary reason why this year's Academy Awards were viewed by a smaller percentage of American television watchers than any previous ceremony. The Sopranos aired at 9 PM on Sunday evening, in its normal time slot, which cut right into the heart of the Academy Awards ceremony. Well, some would say that it cut right through the most boring and mundane portion of the ceremony, but that's another matter altogether.

If Julia Roberts, Russell Crowe, Tom Hanks, and almost every major Hollywood actor were simultaneously involved in any other television production, the ratings would almost certainly be through the roof. Looking more closely at the production that is the Academy Awards, it could be argued that the format of the awards ceremony is the reason for the declining interest of the viewing public. The self-congratulatory nature of the event seems to run counter to the efforts of many of these superstars to maintain a "down to earth" image for their legions of adoring fans. And the pre-coverage of the event is almost enough to turn viewers away before the first award is presented.

Motion picture companies are making more money per picture than at any point in the history of cinema, yet Hollywood's Biggest Night is unable to gather more than a 26.2 share in the national television ratings. Is it the glaring lack of entertainment value in the Academy Awards ceremony, or just a growing disinterest among television viewers? Whatever the reason, it seems that the Academy is going to have to come up with a new format. Can you say Academy Awards in the Australian Outback? Just a thought.