Oscar is plodding, formulaic and out of step with the times. The Academy voters may be old, but the show needn't be. Lady Gaga's show-stealing voice was thrilling while relying on a 50-year-old score. Where were the dance numbers? Why the long walks of presenters as they approach the spindly mic? Do something. Pop them up out of the floor with a ringing beep so that viewers think it's a text going off and they pay attention. Or at least make it a shorter hike.
Many of the presenters names are missed. Super the name over them with a one-sentence resume, as in Heather Rambler, star of "The Lives and Loves of Linda Lovely." (Thank you Bob and Ray.)
Show a little process: What goes into editing, screenwriting, scoring, producing, directing a film. Give us a taste, a few minutes of a few. Put some meat on Oscar's sleek bones.
Drop the President-of-Academy speech. It's been the same since Luise Rainer's double win. Make the President a two-minute-tops presenter of the Lifetime Achievement award.
Get the audience involved. Maybe some Q&A. Give the popular stars a voice from the seats, a quick back and forth with the winners or nominees. For example, Oprah to Michael Keaton: "Is it true each take was 10 minutes, and you averaged 10 takes per setup?" Keaton: "Yes, and I deserve combat pay."
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