今年奥斯卡要“大变脸” Oscars chiefs promise 'bold, risky' show

第81届奥斯卡颁奖礼将于2月22日在柯达剧院隆重举行。由于近年的奥斯卡颁奖典礼收视率持续下降，去年的第80届颁奖礼更是创历史新低。因此，美国电影艺术与科学学院决定在今年的颁奖礼上进行大胆改革，使其重新成为一大吸引人的“亮点”。据主办方透露，今年的典礼主持人为澳大利亚演员休•杰克曼，典礼开场将不复以往老套的主持人独白，也不会放那些颁奖嘉宾预先录制的搞笑片段。典礼颁奖嘉宾的身份则一直处于高度保密状态，直到典礼当天才会闪亮登场。为了让颁奖典礼更加精彩，制片方要求提名演员在准备答谢词时要简短、真诚，要在仅有的45秒钟内说出最想说的话。

Oscars organizers promised a bold new approach to this month's Academy Awards, at a star-studded luncheon¹ here Monday to salute² this year's crop of nominees³.

After years of declining viewing figures that culminated⁴ in last year's 80th Oscars recording⁵ an all-time ratings low, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have moved to revamp Hollywood's annual extravaganza.

The co-producers of the February 22 show, Bill Condon and Laurence Mark, have so far kept full details of their planned changes to the Oscars' tried-and-tested formula tightly under wraps.

However Academy president Sid Ganis told nominees at the Beverly Hilton hotel on Monday to expect some daring tweaks to the telecast.

"It's going to be a show that takes some bold risks," said Ganis.

Oscars organizers have already confirmed one change by announcing Australian actor Hugh Jackman as the host of the show, a departure from the recent tradition of popular comedians⁶ acting⁷ as compere⁸.

Among the changes reported to be contemplated⁹ by Mark and Condon are the decisions to dispense¹⁰ with the ceremony's opening monologue¹¹ and to keep "canned" segments to a minimum.

The identities of the presenters¹² on the awards night have also been kept a secret when in previous years the Academy revealed presenters in the weeks building up to the ceremony.

The New York Times reported Monday that the producers are seeking to boost the appeal of the show by asking studios to provide scenes from future films.

Under the initiative, 10-second clips of around two dozen new movies would be shown as the show's credits roll.

Meanwhile Ganis on Monday also urged nominees to give some thought to making their acceptance speeches memorable¹³ -- and short.

"As for the acceptance speeches -- you know what's required," Ganis said. "Be brief, be personal and be heartfelt. You have a grand total of 45 seconds."

Ganis was speaking before an audience that included 15 of the 20 actors and actresses who are nominated for Oscars this year, notable absentees including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Meryl Streep.

This year's Oscars are expected to be a shoot-out between rags-to-riches Mumbai-set romance "Slumdog Millionaire," which has 10 nominations¹⁴, and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," with 13.

Although historically the film with the most Oscar nominations has prevailed in the coveted¹⁵ best picture race, "Slumdog Millionaire" is widely seen as the clear favorite after a virtual clean sweep at key awards shows this year.

The movie's favorite status solidified¹⁶ at the weekend after British director Danny Boyle scooped¹⁷ the top prize at the prestigious¹⁸ Director's Guild¹⁹ of America (DGA) awards, regarded as an important Oscars bellwether²⁰.