Oscars Face Criticism for Being Out of Touch with Audiences

The 97th Academy Awards are set to take place soon, but the journey to this year's Oscars has faced numerous bumps, including controversies and a notable absence of significant frontrunners that resonate with general audiences.

In discussions on various online forums, many users expressed their disappointment with this year's nominees. One user stated, "I feel really underwhelmed by this year’s nominations and the outcomes at other award shows like the Golden Globes." Another user echoed this sentiment, commenting, "I’m just not all that excited about most of the films this year. It’s been a bit of a mediocre year, especially after last year’s events. The ongoing drama surrounding this season has also been quite annoying, and I’m not interested in that aspect either."

According to Raymond Arroyo, a contributor to Fox News and host of the "Arroyo Grande" podcast, the attitude among some Oscar voters reflects this growing discontent, as many feel that the Oscars have "jumped the shark" and may be reaching their end.

Arroyo pointed out that many viewers are unfamiliar with the nominated films, highlighting smaller titles such as "Emilia Perez," "Anora," and "The Brutalist," which, while winning accolades at other award shows, have not captured the excitement of the average moviegoer.

"Wicked" stands out as the only box office hit among this year's best picture nominees, while many of the others are more niche arthouse films. Data from BoxOfficeMojo reveals that only two nominated films, "Wicked" and "Dune: Part Two," made it into the top ten for ticket sales last year, with popular sequels like "Inside Out 2" and "Deadpool & Wolverine" dominating the box office instead.

"Oscar nominees are not aligning with popular tastes," Arroyo noted, emphasizing a disconnect between the Academy's choices and the general public's preferences. This isolation could hinder the Oscars’ relevance, particularly when acknowledging the growing influence of streaming platforms and how they have reshaped audience viewing habits.

There is a clear sense among some industry insiders that the Oscars may need to evolve to stay relevant. Arroyo mentioned that some Oscar voters, including those who have previously won awards themselves, share a similar lack of enthusiasm, with comments like, "The Oscars are over" being voiced among them.

Additionally, the introduction of new representation and inclusion standards by the Academy, implemented from the 96th Oscars, has required films to meet specific criteria related to underrepresented groups. This change aims to diversify the industry's representation on and off-screen but has led some critics to argue that it may disqualify beloved films that fail to meet these new benchmarks.

During his conversations with Oscar voters, Arroyo learned that some believe these requirements create a barrier, stating, "My film probably wouldn’t qualify for an Oscar now because there are so many boxes to check, many of which are related to DEI. You need to incorporate nontraditional casting and a diverse creative team, which might exclude many deserving projects."

The success of the upcoming Oscars will be measured not just in awards but also in viewership ratings, especially as this year's ceremony is hosted by Conan O’Brien. Last year's show managed to attract 19.5 million viewers, an increase from the previous year. However, Arroyo noted that this year's lineup lacks the larger cultural impact that would inspire audiences to tune in, aside from the nomination of "Wicked."

As the entertainment landscape continues to change, Arroyo suggests that the Oscars should consider including an audience choice award. This could potentially help bridge the gap between industry selections and public favorites. He concluded, "Great television is now rivaling the best films nominated this year. The creative landscape is shifting, and perhaps the Oscars need to open up and include the audience's voice more prominently in the conversation."

Oscars, audience, films, nominations, DEI