TV ratings: Will the Oscarcast be a winner or loser?
It's possible that the writers strike created so much suspense over the Oscars that the Nielsen ratings may now be sky high thanks to TV viewers 
getting to see a show they were almost denied.
Or perhaps the strike drama trumped all the other suspense that normally builds up around who'll win the awards so now ratings will be low because fewer folks care?
Normally, the highest-rated Oscarcasts are the ones where legions of fans tune in to rah-rah for blockbusters like "Lord of the Rings" or "Titanic." This year, however, only one of the five films up for best picture has surpassed $100 million at the box office ("Juno"). Are the films and stars still populist enough to draw eyeballs?
The fact that Jon Stewart will host isn't encouraging. The last time he emceed he presided over the second-lowest-rated show in Oscar history.
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Marshall...Justin is what I call an opportunist entertainer...always overexposed...making himself available all around...even though his work is very mediocre, bland or just awful, not much talent but has charm...he's the Ryan Seacrest of the recording industry...no talent but loads of charm and a social climber...
Posted by: Frankie R. | February 20, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Frankie R. you do know Justin Timberlake is one of the biggest stars in the world right now? Not particularly a fan either way but I'm sick of all this whining about the pollution of a show that had Rob Lowe singing with Snow White.
Posted by: Marshall | February 19, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Tom,
Enough with the whining about Jon Stewart!
In 2005, only ONE of the films had a box office over $50 M -- and it was a film about gay cowboys. You're ignoring history with your slective memory.
Posted by: Mickey | February 19, 2008 at 03:19 PM
It will be the lowest rated ever, and nobody should be surprised at that fact when announced early next week. This year's nominees give the mass public practically nothing they have seen or even heard of in many cases. Without a "Titanic", "Forrest Gump" or "Lord of the Rings" mega-movie in the mix, it is just the destiny of what will happen Sunday night. I wish it wasn't true, but it is.
Posted by: Boomer | February 19, 2008 at 03:02 PM
All 5 Best Pics are not exactly appealing to everyone...including JUNO...so they throw a bone to the tweens & teens and youngsters and have Miley Cyrus present to draw ratings...what a ploy to gain those viewers...I guess Justin Timberlake is soooooo yesterday and tired (which he has been since N'Sync days). Why not have Paris Hilton present...so Jon Stewart could ridiculed her all evening for sh*ts & giggles...Well hope it's a decent show at least...you know...with no wins for JUNO...so Roger Ebert can have a spastic attack over JUNO being robbed of any Oscars and Diablo Cody can go back to hanging out in Silver Lake and be just a scenester, trying to look hip at age 38 or 40...
Posted by: Frankie R. | February 19, 2008 at 01:03 PM
I think the strike will help the Oscars, but not because of what you said. Nothing else is on at the moment. What does it have to compete with? Big Brother? American Gladiators just ended and since when has Fox been a player on Sunday? Just look at the retention rate that Tell the Truth or w/e it's called on Fox had. 93% from american idol...NINETY THREE! Nothing else was on TV!
Posted by: AJ | February 19, 2008 at 11:49 AM