OSCAR VIEWERSHIP REBOUNDING

It wasn’t just a grand night of winning for the cast of “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which earned seven Academy Awards in ABC’s telecast  Sunday night (March 12).

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, won too , in the overnight Nielsen’s ratings, attracting 18.7 million viewers in the 95^th Oscarcast.

It was the best performance and a rebound mode for the Hollywood org., with Nielsen polling showing a 12 per cent gain over last year’s Will Smith’s slap-in-the-face sideshow, seen by  16.7 million viewers. Further, the show gained a 4.0 rating in the coveted demographics of 18 to 49, marking a 5.3% increase over last year.

And perhaps the Oscars might have brought a new respect and a return to loyalty to sit and watch an awards show. The Oscars did far better than this year’s Grammys, which pulled in 12.5 million and a 2.9 rating in the demos. The last Emmys didn’t do well, either, watched by 5.9 million and a rating of 1.2 last year.

ABC execs are awaiting the next-day adjustment of ratings number, expected on Tuesday (March 14), anticipating a bit more juice in viewership numbers, expressing some fears that the Daylight Savings Time early Sunday morning might have confused potential watchers.

Ratings for the Oscars have been critically lower in recent years hitting a record low in 2021 of 10.5 million viewers and a 2.2 rating among the key adults 18-49 demographics. …

Some reflections:

I did pretty well, in the predictions in seven categories. The one I stumbled over was Best Actor. I figured Austin Butler, as “Elvis,” would be a shoo-in, a bona fide actor singing and shimmying like Presley. Brendan Fraser was a worthy winner, for playing the overweight “whale” in “The Whale,” but 75 per cent of his win should rightfully be shared by his prosthetic creator.

There was uniform agreement that “Top Gun: Maverick,” the stellar sequel with Tom Cruise, brought audiences back to the movie theater to watch a movie. That the film earned just one Oscar, for Best Sound, is ludicrous. And he wasn’t a nominee, so it’s no surprise Cruise skipped the show.

Cheerleader of the night? The indefatigable Jamie Lee Curtis, the “Everything” Best Supporting Actress,  whose early win set the tone and the pace for the final outcome. At 64 and never been a trophy winner (or nominee) throughout her career, she deserved the laurels and clearly she’s not a name-dropper; betcha today’s young film-goers don’t know she’s the daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.

Comebacker of the year? Best Supporting Actor Ke Huy Quan, 51, also from “Everything,” was a kid actor in an “Indiana Jones” caper, but was unable to land a major project like this year’s biggie. His acceptance speech was genuine, heartfelt joy for years of dreams, hopes and patience. That onstage hug with Best Film presenter Harrison Ford  was a keeper. And weeper.

Michelle Yeoh, 61, had to wait nearly forever to snag her Best Actress (“Everywhere”) statuette. She and Quan made film history, being  the first Asians to win in their respective category, signaling the inclusion of Asians in the Hollywood multiverse. Betcha a sequel will arrive in two years (audiences expect it) but history repeating itself? Hmmmmm.

And as good and alarming as it depicted the brutality of war, Netflix’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Best International Feature Film) won several technical awards. War is hell, but did we really need this, while war is seen nightly  on your TV screen?

And can we return to the old formula of limiting Best Feature Films to five titles instead of the current 10?

With sew many (get it?) gowns focused on bras with open midriffs, peek-a-boo fabrics and trains that waited for an accident to happen, it’s a wonder no wardrobe malfunctions were reported or recorded.

While I picked that Indian novelty, “Naatu, Naatu” as Best Song, mostly because that vigorous choreography in the film,  the most commercial tune with abundant pleasure is/was Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand,” heard in the end credits of “Top Gun.” Her live vocal delivery on the Oscar show was pure, powerful and potent – delivered in black T-shirt and jeans — perhaps a wider audience will embrace the tune in the weeks ahead.

I miss the Old Hollywood, when the likes of Meryl Streep, Harrison Ford, Jack Nicholson, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sean Connery,  Julie Andrews, Kirk Douglas, etc. would be in the front rows of the theater, kibitzing, hugging, sharing camaraderie. Many have gone to the screens in the heavens, but few surviving Hollywood greats have not earned the clout of yesteryear’s screen faves. …

Hawaii Kai gaining new eateries

With the closure of Zippy’s Hawaii Kai dining room in the Koko Marina Shopping Center and the exit of Outback Restaurant at the Hawaii Kai Towne Center, it’s good news to learn that new kau kau options await.

Later this month, Scratch Kitchen will take over the site of the Outback Restaurant, joining the family of established eateries at Hawaii Kai Towne Center, Roy’s and Maile’s Thai Bistro.

And expect Paradise Poke to join the dining community in the space next to Starbuck’s at the Towne Center.

And next to Zippy’s at Koko Marina, a new tenant is prepping for an opening later this year. There is hope for the hungry crowds. …

And that’s Show Biz. …