Oscar ratings on the rise (but still 3rd lowest ever - Dinosaur Media DeathWatch™)

Variety ^ | February 23, 2009 | Rick Kissell

[Arizona Carolyn]

Thanks.. with a few very notable exceptions, this year was actually better than it’s been in a very long time.

[martin_fierro]

“I think it’s a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.”

Mr Penn:

Reflect on this:

1. I voted in favor of Prop 8.
2. I'm not going to have any grandchildren.
3. I'm not ashamed of how I voted.

Three strikes. You're out.

[Borges]

No single event is going to have huge ratings like in the 80s and earlier anymore because of how fragmented the TV audience is. It was still the biggest audience for any prime time event in two years. It was a pretty classy ceremony for the most part.

[TChris]

The number and pomposity of entertainer award shows will eventually grow to the point that none of the actors, actresses and musicians will actually produce anything any longer. They’ll just spend all their time giving and receiving awards with one another.

[abb]

Pretty close to accurate. What is happening is the monopoly of creating and distributing audio and video entertainment has been taken from Hollywood. Common folks can make movies, create music and distribute them on their own.