If you think Dr. Strange will have problems in the Multiverse, just wait until Oscar hits the Twitter verse.
It’s amazing that the Academy’s solution to luring viewers to its 3/27 telecast (pictured) is to air fans’ favorite clips from popcorn movies. That list will likely include SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (pictured), SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS & NO TIME TO DIE — none of which got into Oscar’s best picture race despite there now being 10 slots to fill.
Twitter users have seen those superhits, so why would they be excited about seeing scenes from them in Oscar Night? Best picture noms went to specialized films that didn’t resonate with audiences. Moreover, no Oscar will go to whichever blockbuster gets the most Twitter votes.
Oscar must boost its TV audience to keep advertisers paying premium prices. Last year’s average of 9.85M viewers was a disaster. Previously, when viewers had a real rooting interest in big league nominees ratings soared — like in 2004 for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING with 11 noms, including pictures & directing — and 11 wins! That telecast reached an average of 43.56M people. Even half of that would be a spectacular improvement today.