Oscars scorecard split

(AFP PHOTO Gabriel BOUYS)

This year, the 82-year-old Oscar ceremony tried to revamp its image to improve its ratings and attract younger viewers. And it did win a bigger audience. After all, one of the nominees was the most popular films of all time. But the bottom line, per The Hollywood Reporter was: "Trying to stay young, but still the same old Oscars."

Though reviews of the Academy Awards show on March 7 were mixed, pointing out highlights and lowpoints, the overall commentary about the telecast weighed in favorably. It may not have been a game changer, as promised by co-producers Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic, but in part that may be due to the conventional constraints of the format.

In hopes of increasing viewership, the producers tried appealing to a broader demographic, attempting to lure in the 20- and 30-something crowd with presenters from Twilight, a horror movies package, and a tribute to director John Hughes. The show opened with television star Neil Patrick Harris instead of the showbiz veterans - hosts Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin.

There were welcomed traditions established like individual Best Actor and Actress nominees introductions. And some questionable omissions happened in an effort to cut time. Notably, though reviewers complain about the live musical performances every year, when performances of Best Original Song were deleted from the program, many protested the loss.

Yet the interpretive dance routines accompanying the musical scores were not appreciated. Co-producer and choreographer Shankman, who produced the movie Hairspray also hosts a television dance show ( So You Think You Can Dance), believed the performances appealed to a younger crowd.

The Academy delayed the ceremony to avoid airing during the 2010 Winter Olympics, so award season lasted longer than usual with most of the winning nominees previously picking up awards at other events. There were few surprises among the winners, so much of the excitement and anticipation was missing, and the show had to rely on entertainment value.

Among the best speeches were Inglourious Basterds' supporting actor winner Christoph Waltz's - for his "uber bingo" reference and following the producers' directions for a 45-second speech that says what the award means - instead of a list of names. A "thank you cam" backstage was provided for that purpose.

Each year, controversies occur, adding a sense of the unexpected to the formal occasion. This year there were interrupted speeches, The Hurt Locker's banned producer, omitting Farah Fawcett and others from the "In Memoriam" segment, and cancelling Sacha Baron Cohen's appearance for "creative differences.

Despite yearly complaints that the Academy Awards run too long, most agreed the well-done explanations during the technical awards sped up the presentation.

Within an obvious script, Steve Martin's final words might have been his funniest according to The Hollywood Reporter: "The show is so long that Avatar now takes place in the past."

But part of the fun of the Oscars is always watching the gaffs, cringe-worthy moments, bad speeches, and ogling over the "worst dressed."

Variety said the show's production had "workmanlike efficiency and didn't seem to mind being a little boring."

Will these producers be asked to return? Despite the improved ratings, the mixed reviews might indicate that the show may be destined to start over each year searching for the "Best" Oscars' producer.

Judge for yourself: revisit the red carpet, see acceptance speeches, catch backstage interviews, and watch the "thank you cam" for the litany of names winners were supposed to leave off stage when offering their 45-second acceptance speech.

http://oscar.go.com/video?cid=10_oscars_primaryNav

RC