
The Oscars broadcast included fun nods to popular movies from the year, but more importantly, it signaled a welcome shift in attitude. Not long ago, the Oscars were seen as struggling to stay relevant, an awards show desperately trying to appeal to broader audiences to survive. There was constant debate about how to “fix” the show – cutting awards, over-explaining movies, ditching the host, or trying to emulate the Grammys, even though they weren’t doing so well either. For a long time, the Oscars focused too much on attracting viewers who didn’t see the films, instead of rewarding those who did. (We shouldn’t forget the ill-conceived Best Cheer Moment and Fan Favorite awards.) So, it was refreshing to see the show casually reveal movie endings last night, without worrying about those who hadn’t watched. It felt like an Oscars designed for people who actually watch the films.