The Oscars are getting a refresh.
As we approach the 91st version of the Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided to recognize the public by making some changes to its broadcast.
Come the 24th of February 2019, the Oscars ceremony will be shorter than before as not all awards will be given out live.
As part of its commitment to keep the broadcast to 3 hours, the board of governors has agreed to award some statuettes during commercial breaks and then air an edited version later on during the show.
Another huge announcement is that of Oscar’s new, exciting category — Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film. The addition is likely to open up nominations for blockbuster films which are often overlooked in favor of more artistic fodder (Did someone say Black Panther?).
But not everyone is pleased with the decision… Code Black actor, Rob Lowe, signaled it as the death of the film industry:
The film business passed away today with the announcement of the “popular” film Oscar. It had been in poor health for a number of years. It is survived by sequels, tent-poles, and vertical integration.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) August 8, 2018
While the author of Five Came Back, Mark Harris, pointed out the irony of the Academy’s decision:
It truly is something that in the year Black Panther, a movie made just about entirely by and with black people, grosses $700 million, the Academy's reaction is, "We need to invent something separate…but equal."
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) August 8, 2018
No announcement has been made as yet regarding a host for next year’s show, but we’re sure he or she will be glad that it is shorter!
