Ebr717’s Weblog

The 80th Academy Awards were held during a three-hour-plus telecast on Sunday. The host was comedian Jon Stewart and in the short amount of time since the writer’s strike ended, Stewart was able to collaborate with writers and prepare an amazing show. However, according to the ABC News article “Oscars draw record low TV ratings,” the national view tally was down about 1 million viewers from the previous record low, which was in 2003.

This could be a result of the type of movies nominated for awards. The movies this year appealed to a different type of audience. Unlike this year’s films, many of the previous winners were blockbuster hits. There is a huge difference between this year’s nominated movies and previously nominated moves such as “Titanic” and “The Departed.” An Entertainment Weekly interview with executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Bruce Davis, explored some of the theories behind the low ratings. “Some of these movies are just too difficult for a mass audience, frankly,” said Davis. Movies like “There Will Be Blood” and “No Country for Old Men” feature themes and settings different from that of a typical Hollywood blockbuster.  According to ABCnews.com, only one movie among the five nominated for best picture, breakout comedy “Juno,” crossed the $100 million box office market domestically. 

In terms of the future of the Oscars and the publicity and marketing angle from here on, the Oscars has come to a crossroads and will have to make a decision whether it’s going to recognize big popular pictures or films that appeal to smaller audiences. Choosing the second option could lead to a smaller Academy Awards audience. It becomes a question of whether it is the goal of the Academy to produce a profitable television show or to recognize the best film work of the year regardless of ratings. “If we simply wanted to do a television show, we would cut out all the awards that didn’t go to actors and directors. We know that a one-hour show like that would attract a larger audience, but we’re not doing that,” said Davis. I completely agree with Davis in preserving the “integrity” of the Oscars. I think for most people the annual Academy Awards is chance for people to get together with their friends and enjoy predicting who will win each category. Do I see every single movie nominated? No. But I do enjoy watching these nominated films and I also enjoy watching the people that created them receive the recognition they deserve at the Oscars.  I will continue to tune in to a program that does just that.

This past week the list of celebrities featured on this season of “Dancing With the Stars” was announced. The new dancers include Priscilla Presley, Kristi Yamaguchi, Adam Carolla, Shannon Elizabeth, Steve Guttenberg, tennis champion Monica Seles, singer Mario, and Miami Dolphins defensive Jason Taylor. Also joining the case is Oscar-winning deaf actress Marlee Matlin. Matlin has starred in television shows such as the “West Wing” and “The L Word.”

Ever since the first season of “Dancing With the Stars” there has been excitement surrounding the show. The show has a intensely dedicated audience following. I think it’s a huge breakthrough for both the show and the deaf community. Entertainment Weekly’s Lynette Rice says, “They’ve established a trend to break prejudices — we’ve seen it with Heather Mills who danced with a prosthetic to defy the odds.”

It has the potential to both introduce people to deaf culture and alter any misconceptions people might already have. From a public relations perspective this makes a strong statement on behalf of the ABC show. Dancing requires more than just hearing and listening to the music. Internal rhythm will guide Matlin throughout the dancing. As Peter Pover, president of USA Dance, said “The only impediment to dance is when we don’t think we can do it.”

Last Sunday night comedian Katt Williams handed out about $29,000 in cash to audience members.  According to the Associated Press article released this week, Williams arrived to the Laugh Factory ready to perform his comedy show but with a briefcase full of cash.   The article explained “he hadn’t forgotten his roots and wanted to thank his loyal fans.”  He did so by distributing $100 bills to audience members as he performed his show and comedy act.  “You should have seen it. Some people were crying.  They came to see the show and they got $100,” said Laugh Factory owner, Jamie Masada.

Williams is best known as a comedian, rapper and actor with roles in such films as First Sunday and Norbit.  He was also known for a leading role in Nick Cannon’s MTV show, “Wild n’ Out.”  He has also appeared in a number of music videos and television episodes.

This is a huge chance for both Katt Williams and the Laugh Factory to gain positive media exposure.  Williams’ representatives and publicists should take immediate action to disseminate the information and take advantage of this PR opportunity.  Building on Williams previously established wacky reputation and love for fedora hats and permed hair, publicists should emphasize his outrageous personality and spontaneity.  The Laugh Factory also benefits from such media exposure and should feature Katt Williams again in a show.  There are many ways both Williams and the Laugh Factory could prosper as a result from this wacky $29,000 giveaway.

After three long months, the Hollywood writer’s strike could end as soon as Monday. This Saturday evening, it has been reported that guild members will gather in Los Angeles and New York to discuss contract terms and hopefully reach a conclusion to the strike. The members of the WGA began striking back in early November. DVD residuals and programs distributed over the Internet have formed the central issues behind the strike. If the members of the WGA show support for the deals discussed, many of our beloved TV shows might return for a couple more episodes. Additionally, the Academy Awards might not suffer the same fate as the Golden Globes.

Everyone from writers, actors, directors, crew, media, and the general public have felt the repercussions of the strike. Publicists and media relations specialists have also been affected by the strike. Pre-strike, PR specialists represented the entertainment industry as a whole. They represented the networks, television shows, producers and actors as one. They were the link between the entertainment industry and the media. They are still that link but since the strike started the news content they provide has changed.

They have become teachers as they attempt to educate the general public of the inter-workings of guilds, networks and contract negotiations. And not only that but now, they represent two divided clients: the networks and the writers. Whereas before the strike they represented a united client and industry, they are now the representation of two opposing forces. Their role as publicists and media relations specialists has dramatically shifted in the past three months. What their role will be post- strike is yet to be determined but come Monday we will have a better idea of what to expect from publicists and public relations specialists.