Winkler Says The Academy Awards Are Different This Year

By Brett Connolly -- 03/04/10

The television industry has been taking an economic hit. So the creators of the Academy Awards decided to think out of the box to drive up the show's viewers' numbers. They are taking some big chances with the number of nominees and hosts.

One of the Board of Governors for the Academy is Henry Winkler and he told WEBN that he is hoping the changes will work. "This year we've decided to go with ten films instead of five. The reason for that is everything in the entertainment business is really fueled by the financial. The huge networks are losing viewership and the amount of viewers watching the Academy Awards is very important. So we thought if we added more films perhaps we capture an audience that wouldn't otherwise watch."

Another Academy change is having Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin co-host. This is the first time the show has multiple hosts since Chevy Chase joined Paul Hogan and Goldie Hawn in 1986. Winkler has confidence in Martin and Baldwin especially since they have written a lot of material for the upcoming show. Winkler praised the two men, saying, "They're just funny. Alec is funny. Steve Martin is a genius. We're gonna find out if the two of them have chemistry. Again, that is for the entertainment factor in order to attract a larger number of people."

Even though Winkler sits in a high profile position with the Academy, he prefers to watch the Oscars at home. "In the same way when I go to the movie I want to be taken away. I want to laugh and I want to cry just like everyone else."