Ten years ago, the Academy Awards ceremony attracted 40.3 million viewers.
The downward trend has continued since then--from 34.4 million in 2016 to 23.6 million in 2020 and now, in 2023, 18.7 million.
In 2022 the show drew 16.6 million viewers, but that number increased by 12% the following year when viewers tuned in to see if Meryl Streep would slap Judy Dench.
The show would have been so much more lively had it only been given that one thing. Yet, it went on for a long and tedious 3 hours and 40 minutes, hosted by the most uninteresting person possible, Jimmy Kimmel (the show is apparently not able to get an A-list host anymore).
It is evident that little interest is shown by the people of America towards the Oscars and the affluent Hollywood elites do not pay any attention either. It seems as though the oblivious stars of Tinseltown are actively attempting to repel the audience as they shower each other with praise for their low-viewed films.
Kimmel had a whole year to come up with humorous quips about “The Slap Heard 'Round The World.” Recently, Chris Rock ended his Netflix special live with a vehement attack on actor Will Smith.
Kimmel urged the A-list attendees, "Let's have a good time. Let's stay safe. But let's make sure I'm safe too."
"As such, we have stringent regulations: In the event that any individual in the auditorium perpetrates a violent act at any point during the performance, they will be given the Academy Award for Best Actor and allowed to give a 19-minute long oration," he declared.
That type of comedy isn't really up to the same standard as something you'd hear at a Rock show. It's more likely to be found at a place like the Chuckle Hut.
The opening was far from being inoffensive — nothing like Ricky Gervais' performances at the Golden Globes. In those well-known episodes, the British entertainer makes fun of the Hollywood A-listers, ridiculing them for their self-importance.
Rather than doing something entertaining, Kimmel simply recited the names of famous people and made some feeble attempts at humor that got only a few chuckles (some jokes were really bad). "It's a sure sign that the show has gone on too long when even James Cameron can't watch it all." Ugh.
Kimmel highlighted the show's commitment to diversity and inclusion, emphasizing that viewers want recognition to be given to those who wouldn't ordinarily be nominated. Rather than simply selecting the best movies of the year, he suggested that consideration should be given to those who would not usually get a nomination.
Kimmel declared, “Tonight is not for shenanigans, we don't have time for that. We are here to celebrate everyone. You requested that all the categories be reinstated and we have followed through on that. Every category is back.”
That's a whopping 23 categories. Twenty-three! Half of them feature movies you've likely never seen or even heard of — and almost impossible to get ahold of.
Kimmel said that in spite of TV viewers not wanting them, they put all the categories back into the show due to the film community's demand, and he warned against any grumbles about the length of the show.
In conclusion, the Academy has no interest in whether the public watches their awards or views the movies that win. It's their show, and since they're artists, it's something that the general public won't comprehend.
In exactly five years, the 100th Oscars will take place. There may only be 187 viewers by then, but the film industry will not be bothered by this.
This article expresses the author's opinions and not necessarily those of The Daily Wire.
Joseph Curl's experience in politics spans 35 years, including a stint as a White House correspondent for a national paper for 12 years and a 4-year role as a.m. editor of the Drudge Report. If you have any info to share, contact him at josephcurl@dailywire.com and find him on Twitter @josephcurl.