Oscar likes the youngsters

The addition of young heartthrobs to the Oscar lineup looked, to most of us paying attention, like a desperate grab for viewers in the advertiser-coveted demographics. In other words, those 18 to 49 years old.

So did the "Twilight" hunk Robert Pattinson, singer Miley Cyrus and actors like Amanda Seyfried and the "High School Musical" kids serve that purpose? (Because, honestly, that could've been anybody presenting awards -- Pattinson and Seyfried -- and singing in an overstuffed musical number -- Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens).

Sunday's telecast of the "81st Annual Academy Awards" posted a "12.1 rating in adults 18 to 49, the second lowest in at least 20 years, beating only last year's 10.2 rating," according to the L.A.Times.

There could be far more effective or tangible ways to age-down this ceremony, says Carpetbagger, by giving young producers a shot at the job. More contemporary music, nods to digital culture. He even has the first suggestion: Stew from the rock-pop-funk band Negro Problem and brain trust behind the Tony-winning musical, "Passing Strange."

Some critics have said the Academy should just accept that the Oscars are becoming a niche show, even though the three-and-a-half-hour live program rated better than the recent premiere of "American Idol." We say, keep rejiggering the thing and maybe it'll get more interesting. It had to change, and change it did. That needs to be an ongoing commitment. Now, go and do more.

And note to the Academy: Pattinson can sing. He really can!

Comments

[Randy]

If they insist on nominating smaller movies, they need to move to March so that more people can see the movies and it won't be such a niche show. People do care about seeing the movies that are considered the best by the Academy but they can't just give them a month to see all of them.