Oscar fans want to dump technical awards and the Academy president’s speech to make for a leaner, meaner show, according to a survey of big-screen devotees.
The movie-ticket website Fandango gave its readers a list of 20 items to cut from the struggling awards show, and 20 elements to keep or expand.
Topping Fandango’s cut list included: Any political speech, the annual presentation by Academy president Sid Ganis and all technical awards. The No. 4 must-go item was anything producers need to keep the show done in three hours.
The essentials fans liked the most, or wanted to expand, included: The one-person emcee format, the “In Memoriam” tribute, the pre-show fashion run-up, the opening monologue and in-show fashion commentary.
This year’s Academy Awards is set to air on Channel 7 on Feb. 22 with host Hugh Jackman.
Academy honchos are desperate to reverse a decade-long trend that’s making their show less relevant every year.
Only 32 million Americans watched last year’s show – the lowest rated Oscars telecast ever.
Oscar reached his all-time popularity in 1998 when “Titanic” floated viewership to 55.3 million.
Brush up on this year’s likely Oscar choices with NYPost.com’s Pop Video Quiz:Best Actor Buzz 2009 | Best Actress Buzz 2009