Pessimists abound about Sunday nights live three hours-plus Oscar telecast. Not that anyone is carping about Bill Condon producing or Hugh Jackman hosting
yet. Its about the ratings. Once upon a time in another century, the Oscarcast was bigger than the Super Bowl. But that was when people turned in to see stars making their television debut! To see celebrities they would only read about in magazines and see in roles on the big screen, dressed up and in close up as themselves! Now of course there is a deluge of celebrity sightings, undressed and dressed up, promoting their pictures, cosmetics or a new baby for charity. People no longer need to turn into the Oscars for a glimpse of their golden idols acting like real people, even if it is Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, the nights starriest power couple since they are both Best Actor and Best Actress nominees. Thats one reason I asked Michael Musto, the Village Voice columnist who has been on several Oscar panels this week, what he predicts for the shows numbers. “This Oscars runs the risk of being the lowest rated one in history, he told me. But theres a good reason for that! The Academy, Musto pointed out, actually picked movies they felt represented quality–imagine that–and unfortunately for the network, that doesn’t always translate into ratings excitement. What’s more, Hugh Jackman is utterly delightful, but he’s probably not an international superstar of the caliber that could single-handedly save an ailing extravaganza like this. Worst of all, there are so many televised awards shows now that the Oscars almost seem like an anticlimax. I said ALMOST! I’ll still be glued to the set! After all, Brangelina will be there!” Yes, and so will the opportunity to see Javier Bardem, last years winning Best Supporting Actor, kiss for all the world to see his ex Penelope Cruz, who is the favorite to win this years Best Supporting Actress for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Who will watch Watchmen With March 6th rapidly approaching, that question is going to be answered for one of the riskiest big-budget movies Hollywood has ever seen. Yes, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was a risk that will ultimately prove if not profitable at least in terms of prestige and ancillary revenues, a solid investment. But the hard-R rated Watchmen which has a loyal fan base among comic book fans and an eager audience among hip collegiates needs to attract more than its base. At $150 million plus $50 million in marketing costs with no major stars it needs to be an EVENT movie.
Or it runs the risk of being another V for Vendetta, the dark politically tinged movie made from another Alan Moore graphic novel that did just so-so business. The good news for Warner Bros. who made the film — and subsequently had to settle with 20th Century Fox for a share of the grosses after an out of court settlement which has left both sides tongue-tied about any particulars is that Hollywood thinks Watchmen will be huge since there are no other major releases opening against it.