Audiences on the Oscars: Less Politics, More Mainstream Love?

[J_UNTITLED]

From The Hollywood Reporter...

"Celebrities who win an Oscar next month should steer clear of politics during their acceptance speeches, or risk alienating viewers.

That's the word from 7,000 moviegoers participating in a poll from online ticketer Fandango, which asked participants to name what they like most and least about Academy Awards telecasts.

Fandango noted the dwindling ratings of the telecast in recent years and that new producers have been hired for this year's extravaganza, so it is pitching the results of its survey as "20 ways to improve the Oscars."

At 51%, the No. 1 pet peeve is political speeches, according to the poll.

"We don't care what you think about politics," one respondent wrote. "A bit of graciousness would be in order."

Of course there were dissenters: One wrote that even the "dreadful" political speeches are "a fun part of the Oscars."

Also among the top objections to the telecast: technical awards (34%), excessive show length (33%), live musical numbers (27%) and "forced" celebrity banter (26%).

Among the elements of the show that audiences like, according to the poll, are a single host for the whole show (65%), the "in memoriam" tribute (57%), red-carpet celebrity fashion festivities (52%) and the opening monologue (48%). Plus, 27% voted for maintaining or expanding the best animated feature category.

The producers and ABC might be pulling for "The Dark Knight," 2008's most popular film, to get a best picture nomination because 71% say they'd be more inclined to watch the show if that's the case.

Along those lines, 81% said that last year's best picture nominees were out of touch with mainstream moviegoers, with 29% saying they didn't bother watching the telecast because they hadn't seen the nominated movies.

"Stop giving awards to overrated indie films," one respondent wrote.

Among the unexpected suggestions for creating a better TV show is less face-time for Jack Nicholson. "How many times can you cut away to this guy?" one respondent asks. "The producers are counting on Jack's killer smile to make the jokes look funnier than they are."

[EricJ]

Also among the top objections to the telecast: technical awards (34%), excessive show length (33%), live musical numbers (27%) and "forced" celebrity banter (26%).

Personally, I don't mind the Technical Awards segment, but in the name of humanity, TELL US WHAT THEY WON IT FOR!!!!

They used to show the winners with a little clip of how what they invented was used in a movie we'd seen ("For his invention of the Skycam, which revolutionized cinematography..."); now for the past seven years, we've just gotten an unknown name mentioned and ten seconds of some tech-dweeb in his 50's making a speech--
C'mon, it's about movies, where's the love?

[DigitalfreakNYC]

How can you divorce politics from the films if they're political themselves?

[fighthefutureofhd]

stop making political films and stick to entertainment. that would be my guess.

[J_UNTITLED]

Originally Posted by fighthefutureofhd

stop making political films and stick to entertainment. that would be my guess.

The notion that political films can't be "entertaining" is ludicrous to me.

[DigitalfreakNYC]

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

The notion that political films can't be "entertaining" is ludicrous to me.

Amen.

Or maybe we should just stick to stupid, vapid, worthless entertainment from now on.

[assydingo]

They did a pull asking if people would be more inclined to watch if TDK won best picture? Seriously? That's shameless x.x.

[J_UNTITLED]

Originally Posted by assydingo

They did a pull asking if people would be more inclined to watch if TDK won best picture? Seriously? That's shameless x.x.

I don't think it's shameless that they asked such a question -- I think it is sad that for many people the answer is yes, they would.

[P@t_Mtl]

I actualy do not care nor want to hear about Kevin Spacey (just an example not picking on him he was just the first name that came into my mind as I was writting this) political views and agenda, nor Susan Sarandon, just like I don't need to hear from Tom Cruise that Scientilogy is great and wonderful.

They are actors, stick to talking about your movies and your work but stop telling me how I should live, what I should eat or what I should believe. I don't go and tell any of them how to live and spend their money, I would expect the same courtesy from them. If they want to talk politic then do what Sonny Bono or Clint Eastwood, Arnold or Ronald Reagan did, stop acting and go into politics.

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

The notion that political films can't be "entertaining" is ludicrous to me.

that's not what i meant. i was thinking along the lines of what the general public's answer might be. and to be honest this is how they feel. they don't want to be preached to.

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

Amen.

Or maybe we should just stick to stupid, vapid, worthless entertainment from now on.

again, i was thinking of what the general public might say in response to your question. really. the general public doesn't want to be preached at. what they want is everything you said in your above post. the general audience doesn't care for hollywood's preachiness. not saying that it's right or wrong, but it's what drives the movie industry.

[Another_Dude]

But how will I know what is right and wrong in the world if Sean Penn doesn't tell me?????

[Crim122]

Yeah if we get more mainstream love Jumper might get nods in the future...NOW THANKS!

[jsteinhauer]

The problem is they're broadcasting an insider event that by it's nature should have little appeal to the average television watcher and moviegoer. Stupid, vapid entertainment is why most people watch movies isn't it? It's mostly why I watch movies. I don't want my entertainment to be more work than work.

To me, Academy Award shows are akin to the NFL draft show or the NBA draft lottery. If you're not a big fan, there is no reason to give a rip.

Now, turn it into a text-in-your-vote event, and you will have an audience, but don't expect cowboy movies to win awards.

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

How can you divorce politics from the films if they're political themselves?

Simple.

The answer you see is in the thread title. "more mainstream films" most mainstream films aren't political.

They're action and popcorn flicks.

Take a look at the winners of the Oscars for just the Best Picture category over the course of the Oscars, most are revered even to this day, {and I agree with most of them} but to say that someone from the current ADD generation would be able to sit through most of them without breaking down and getting back to their coloring book would be next to impossible.

They're not going to stop votes like this until Alien vs Predator 17 wins best picture.

Logan

[opterasis]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

Amen.

Or maybe we should just stick to stupid, vapid, worthless entertainment from now on.

Twilight sweeps the Oscars!

[DigitalfreakNYC]

So why not just start airing it on TNT or one of the lesser networks then?
I don't give a shit about ratings. All I care about is that deserving movies get awards.

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by DigitalfreakNYC

So why not just start airing it on TNT or one of the lesser networks then?
I don't give a shit about ratings. All I care about is that deserving movies get awards.

So do I, that's why I watch the Scream Awards.

Logan

[J_UNTITLED]

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

Stupid, vapid entertainment is why most people watch movies isn't it? It's mostly why I watch movies. I don't want my entertainment to be more work than work.

I respectfully disagree to the highest order with that.

Originally Posted by jadedeath

So do I, that's why I watch the Scream Awards.

Logan

Oh, man... no disrespect, but the "Scream Awards" is one corny, sorry excuse for an awards outlet. If only there was a more mature and prestigiously-handled awards that were dedicated to the all-too-often neglected and/or ignored genres of horror, thriller, science-fiction and fantasy (although, not being usually a fan of the far latter genre, it still deserves recognition when done well, of course).

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

I respectfully disagree to the highest order with that.

well i have to respectfully disagree with you. they don't call it entertainment for the heck of it. movies are meant to entertain us. and most people are more entertained by the big popcorn type of movies. people don't want to be preached to. think about it. we all have our trails and tribulations throughout the day/week/year and the last thing we want is more heartache and depression. sometimes we want to get away from that and have a good time. that's why a lot of people go to movies. to get away from it all. that doesn't mean that all other movies are bad. not at all. if a really done movie with thoughtful intelligent ideas that has really good acting comes out that entertains people. all the better. the dark knight is a great example of this. or even wall-e. but the general point is to entertain.

it's the same way with music. sure, thoughtful and intelligent music is great. but it can also be a real bummer too. and we don't need music to bring us down even further. we get enough of that in life as it is. sometimes we just want to have fun. that can be done with real talent and really good songs. not everything has to be thought diatribes on the woes of society. it gets a little too depressing.

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by J_UNTITLED

Oh, man... no disrespect, but the "Scream Awards" is one corny, sorry excuse for an awards outlet. If only there was a more mature and prestigiously-handled awards that were dedicated to the all-too-often neglected and/or ignored genres of horror, thriller, science-fiction and fantasy (although, not being usually a fan of the far latter genre, it still deserves recognition when done well, of course).

Hey dude, I didn't say it wasn't corny, but until a horror movie is nominated for the best picture Oscar, Scream is the only way to go.

I don't much mind that it's corny to be honest. It fits with the vibe of Sci-fi and horror fans.

Logan