Cinematical broke my heart this morning when I read The Academy is considering a move back to Monday nights for the first time since 1999. As you already know, the Oscar ceremony is likely to come earlier in 2012 as The Academy tries to stop all of these other awards like the SAGs and The Globes from stealing their thunder. However, the group now is trying to figure out what to do about competition from the NFL.
Moving to January, as The Academy is considering, possibly puts their typical Sunday night broadcast up against the NFL's Sunday Night Football, which could be big competition in 2013 if the NFL extends the season to 18 games, as has been reported over the past few days.
I know The Academy is worried about competition from other TV programs and wants to maximize the ratings, but Sunday night is the perfect night for the ceremony. Oscar-philes like myself get the entire day to celebrate, watch the arrivals, grouse about the red carpet appearances and party with friends. Monday doesn't give us the same opportunities as work and life get in the way too easily.
Also, when did Oscar have to be afraid of football? I love football, but this is The Oscars! This is Hollywood's Super Bowl. If you don't think that is enough to compel your fans to tune in, maybe you have bigger problems than you want to admit. Put on a great show, back up the Brinks truck to Jerry Seinfeld's house to convince him to host, and anyone who isn't a fan of the two football teams playing that night will be watching those gold statues being handed out.
