The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

At first, I was a little apprehensive about the announcement the Academy Awards were changing things up as radically as it did. No more five best picture nominations: Starting next year, they're moving to ten.

Traditionalists won't like it, but believe it or not, in the beginning the Oscars did have ten best picture nominees until that practice ended in 1943. Certainly the prestige of being a nominee of just five contenders is huge, and I suppose if there are now ten it may lessen the significance of the nomination somewhat. But on the whole, I like this move.

The last few years of the awards show have not exactly been a TV ratings magnet and not too many people even talk about them anymore, and a lot has to do with the nominees. They may have earned their accolades, but really, how many people went to the theatre to see Frost/Nixon or Milk?

It may be a money driven decision, but giving more exposure to ten nominees instead of five will alert audiences to movies they may have missed, and will likely give a movie they can root for when watching the awards unfold. In other words, give them a reason to tune in.

The Academy Awards needed a shakeup, and this just might be what the doctor ordered. If it turns out to be a bad idea, they can always revert back to the old format. I was a bit skeptical at first, but after thinking about it, I think this will renew interest in the Oscars.