And the Oscar goes to....

Who cares?
At least that what the ratings showed this year for the 80th annual Academy Awards.
Even with Jon Stewart, "Juno," Cate Blanchett in two categories, the Red Dress parade on the red carpet, George Clooney (oh, my stars!), fewer people tuned into this year's Oscars than any in recorded history!
Wow....that says a lot. It says a lot about movies, people, the ceremony itself, traditions....
When the Oscars were in their prime, there were only really three broadcast TV stations (just imagine!). There were only about a hundred or so movies released a year (in the USA), versus more than 400 in the last few years. The proliferation of VHS/DVD was not like it is today. Folks respected the votes and opinions of experts. Awards meant something.
Today, top-rated films include animated movies, foreign films, horror films, teen humor. What is the "Best" in those contexts?
The world is in on the Oscars - note the award-winners for acting - all from countries other than the USA.
Times have changed. Perhaps everything should be the world's best versus the nation's or even the continent's.
Perhaps, like the Golden Globes, or, horrors, the MTV Movie Awards, there needs to be more sub-categories, such as horror, musicals, love stories...
Or maybe it's just time to look at box office and see where the money is, the butts in seats votes.
That's the way other things are prized and praised, sort of like TV ratings, best-sellers in music and books.
Where were the "top" actors, such as Denzel, Will(s), the guys from Superbad?
Check out the top DVD rentals each week - you won't find a Cohen Brothers movie on it.
Let those who know better figure out how to give Oscar back his shine. I'm settling back with my popcorn to watch "The Game Plan," and yes, "Michael Clayton" (you go, George!).