A brief, energetic performance by the surviving members of Queen, with Adam Lambert fronting the band, took the place of the usual lengthy monologue. Awards were handed out at a quick pace, with the best supporting actress winner, Regina King, offering her thanks in the opening minutes.
As they presented that award, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler delivered a quick satire of the usual opening remarks. Other entertainers, from Keegan-Michael Key floating down from the rafters with an umbrella, à la Mary Poppins, to Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper sitting side by side on a piano bench for “Shallow,” kept things moving. Several high-grossing movies — “Black Panther,” “A Star Is Born” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” — remained in contention for major awards to the end, which also may have helped maintain viewer interest.
The broadcast was considerably shorter than recent ceremonies and the second straight to begin at 8 p.m. Eastern time, rather than the old start time of 8:30. That meant that the final presenter, Julia Roberts, was able to say good night at 11:17. Several recent ceremonies had dragged on past midnight.
ABC and the academy had been dedicated to finding ways to make the Oscars more ratings-friendly. Last year, network executives encouraged winners to keep speeches fun and frothy and to avoid third-rail material, like invoking President Trump.
Before this year’s ceremony, the academy announced it would move four categories off the live telecast altogether and introduce a new best popular movie Oscar. A Hollywood backlash forced the academy to walk back both decisions.
Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/25/business/media/oscars-tv-ratings-abc.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
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