Oscars suffers drop in ratings

Fewer American viewers tuned in to watch the Academy Awards ceremony this year than last.

Data from Nielson Media Reseach suggest that the telecast brought in an average of 41.5 million viewers, a 5% drop from last year's figure of 43.5 million. The 2004 figure was the highest in four years.

The drop in ratings has been attributed from the fact that last year's big winner, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, had such a dedicated following, far exceeding that of this year's Million Dollar Baby.

Although organisers had hoped that their choice of host, Chris Rock, would reel in the younger viewers, that section of the audience actually suffered a 3% decline.

Rock, who said before he performed his role as host that the ceremony was a "fashion show" watched predominantly by gays, received mixed reviews, reports the BBC.

For example, Tom Shales of the Washington Post described his performance as "strangely lame and mean-spirited."