MovieChat Forums > The 93rd Oscars (2021) Discussion > What happened to the Oscars?

What happened to the Oscars?

posted 3 years ago by M1sterDoct0r (3879)
22 replies | jump to latest

Like an Oscar nominated Film used to be a huge deal & the ceremony itself used to be a bigger deal. So what actually "killed" it? I mean in terms of people actually caring about the Oscars

I'm not saying "No one watches the Oscars anymore". Clearly millions still do. But NOWHERE NEAR the level it used to be viewed. And it's not as "highly regarded" as it used to be by the general public either

So what actually happened? Is it cause of Celebrities going political? The "go woke, go broke" stuff? Or do people just not care for celebrities awarding each other anymore?

Like has the glamour or appeal of it all just worn off? Genuinely asking...

[–] jekporkins (1921) 3 years ago

I think you kind of hit it off. I will speak for why I don't watch it any longer...

1. Hollywood kissing each other's butts is getting old. There are so many dang awards shows now...
2. Nobody wants/cares to hear what a beautiful, rich celebrity has to say about anything political, and everyone is using it as a platform now. Rickey Gervais clearly hit on it a couple years back.
3. Too many nominations that don't deserve to be nominated while those that do get zero mention. I'd argue none of the movies that one the past four or five years would be considered the best pictures of the year. Many are included because of their subject matter. It's like they avoid any movie that was a major studio production. Seriously, what was the last BIG movie to win? Lord of the Rings or The Departed?
4. There's a lot of options now thanks to streaming services and the like. Heck, I don't even have cable TV and would have to figure out a way to watch it.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (3879) 3 years ago

With the whole they "don't deserve to be nominated" debate, I'm not one to say whether or not they do but looking at the past few years' best picture nominees, With the exception of one or two, I honestly find myself not caring for most of them.

I genuinely can't believe Green Book was nominated and even won. That was one of the most predictable & oscar bait-ist films I've ep seen in recent years.

Also, I don't know if you agree with this or not but they should REALLY widen their net. Cause there are a lot of better films released throughout the year. Not just the ones getting released at the end of the year. The "Oscar baits" if you will

[–] TandyMan (10338) 3 years ago

I think they pretty much trashed it when they started awarding movies based on agenda instead of them actually being good.

Also, no more video stores, so seeing "oscar winner" stamped on the box no longer generates appeal.

I think the stars themselves don't care. Used to be a means of competing with one another (and boosting paychecks they can command), but when somebody is gonna get the trophy just for having the right race or gender or orientation, there's no skin in the game anymore.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (3879) 3 years ago

[deleted]

[–] blue1981 (6419) 3 years ago

Yeah no one cares about merit anymore. These awards have turned into nothing more than participation trophies for the nominees as long as you are the right race or gender.

[–] Towelie_Towel (1700) 3 years ago

Of course the stars care. There are plenty of stars that work their lives pursuing an Oscar.

[–] spurtle467 (1498) 3 years ago

There are lots of factors. Back when I remember The Oscars being a big deal, there was no social media, no streaming sites, no hundreds of channels on TV. Not only has the emergence of these led to the public being given more ways of spending their time (this has also affected viewing figures for other events and TV shows) but I think it has left stars and films overexposed to the point that maybe they no longer feel as special when it comes to The Oscars.

You've already mentioned other reasons such as wokeness and celebrities getting too big for their boots that probably have been part of the problem too. I think we also have too many celebrities around now, that don't have the same star power as those in the past.

Ultimately, I just don't think the quality has been there like it used to, in terms of the quality of the films in general, and the quality of selections of films up for nominations. Originality dies a little more with each passing year in this industry.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (3879) 3 years ago

I definitely agree with Star Power. That's definitely a thing of the past. Now it's the age of franchises and popular IPs.

Also, I remember growing up in the early to mid 2000s and people would make such a HUGE deal out of an Oscar nominated/winning films. Especially when recommending it to someone. "You know, this movie was actually nominated for an OSCAR" and you were supposed to immediately think that, that actually means something special.

But I honestly didn't get it back then. Mostly cause I was a teen & liked films with pew pew pew & explosions. 😅

[–] spurtle467 (1498) 3 years ago

You're right it definitely feels like it's lost its importance, but aside from all the political pandering, the changed format, the celebrities etc., the interest in the show for me ultimately falls on the quality of the films up for nomination, and interest has dwindled because there are fewer films these days I've seen or care about. Hardly any classics comes out of Hollywood anymore.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (3879) 3 years ago

I just wrote this in another reply but they really should widen their net when it comes to film nominations. Cause there are a lot of good films released throughout the year but like over 90% of the nominees are the ones that only get released within 2 or 3 months before the Oscars.

But then again, you knew kinda have to spend MILLIONS to campaign for a nomination. Something I didn't know until recently.

Apparently the voters get gifts, get flown to luxurious places & stay in fancy hotels. They get to meet the celebrities. Depending on how much the studio is willing to spendSame with the Golden Globes. You're basically "buying your award" it seems.

[–] Interlepos (1783) 3 years ago

Great post. I can summarize:

1. Woke bullshit. Agenda before merit.
2. Movies vs. TV. A lot of the great stuff being produced for television instead of for the movies.
3. Like point #2, the studios are mainly in the superhero business now. Which leave little room for quality films being produced.
4. Also the quality is down because of woke/cancel culture elements being integrated into the films themselves.

All this leaves us less good movies to care about, competing for Oscars in a medium that is not mainly about quality anymore.

[–] horrorfan000 (2064) 3 years ago

The political woke stuff is what ultimately killed it for me.I don't watch award shows at all anymore.It used to be about entertainment.A celebration of talent and quality.Now it's all about identity politics and SJW quota's.

[–] Galactus03 (4287) 3 years ago

Many already stated some great reasons. Another is OVERSATURATION. There is so much content out there now from multiple sources and they try to include everything. It's gotten boring and less special. Hollywood,.foreign studios etc. Churn out more product than ever before. Movies and series. It's so overwhelming and so forgettable.....the last time I was remotely interested in the Oscar's was maybe 18-20 years ago.

[–] M1sterDoct0r (3879) 3 years ago

I remember Like 2 or 3 years ago, in a bid to stay more relevant. they tried to add a "most popular movie" category and everyone just laughed at them and they dropped it.

I guess even The Oscars kinda realized that the films that they're nominating nowadays aren't really THAT popular or most people don't necessarily care about them anymore

[–] Galactus03 (4287) 3 years ago

Yeah. It's not really their fault. Like everything else....technology...specifically CGI and the internet has changed everything. Movies are made quicker, shared in more platforms and from everywhere etc. When I see categories like best visual effects...I think...Who doesn't??? Lol....

[–] jamesdrax (40) 3 years ago

The Emmys are probably more relevant to what people actually watch now. I look forward to them more than the Oscars these days.

[–] AmeriGirl26 (12249) 3 years ago

It turned into a big, bloated, boring, self-glorifying snoozefest. Only parts that were even remotely interesting were the main awards, such as "Best Picture," "Best Director," "Best Leading Actress," etc. Nobody really cares about the other awards. That ridiculous ceremony would also be only half as long if you cut out the GD commercials that are constantly being broadcast. It's like, they show 30 seconds of show, and then you have to sit through 3 hours of commercials before the next little snippet of winners is brought up. Honestly, it's not worth watching, because nobody who wins those awards actually deserves it these days. Most of the time, they just give the awards to people who suck up the most, or have the shittiest dramas involving crazy people spinning out of control, or gay people being persecuted.

The only other remotely interesting thing was the fashion comments, usually the women's dresses. Again, not really noteworthy with today's crappy fashions.

[–] liscarkat (16476) 3 years ago

I haven't watched for years or even paid any attention to who or what wins. I'm not interested in hearing actors and directors lecture me about social justice and environmentalism. I'm not interested in awards that are given to satisfy identity quotas rather than merit.