After facing falling Oscar ratings the past two years, producers made several bold decisions this year. Instead of going for a tried-and-true comedian, they went for a song-and-dance Wolverine, Hugh Jackman. The producers played around with the format, the Best Song nominees, the way the acting awards are presented. The gamble paid off with a 6% increase in viewership, and rave reviews of Jackman’s performance as host. In other words, Oscar producers have found a winning formula (Jackman + lots of music + good acting category races = success), and should stick with it.

The 2009 Oscar ratings are projecting success for the years telecast of the Academy Awards. The 2009 Oscar ratings are reportedly up 6% from last year, and are pointing towards Hugh Jackman being a big success as the host of the 81st annual awards show. Whether it is a mix of the way the show was hosted, or the films that were nominated, but more people tuned in to this years show than the one hosted in 2008 by comedian Jon Stewart.

Preliminary data from the Oscar telecast (according to E! Entertainment) is that an estimated 33.6 million people watched the telecast on average from 5:30pm to 8pm Pacific Time. This isn’t quite the entirety of the show though, so more numbers are soon to come, but it’s safe to say that this was more of a success than the 2008 telecast.

From Associated Content

But of course, nothing can be that simple. OK! is reporting that Billy Crystal wants to come back as Oscar host in 2010. OK! reports (as do other sources) that Crystal has hosted some of the highest-rated Oscar telecasts in the past twenty years. I actually like Crystal as host – he’s very nice, and very rarely makes mean jokes at the expense of any of the heavy-hitter industry people. A lot like Hugh Jackman, come to think of it.

Hugh Jackman successfully hosted one of the highest rated televised Oscar shows in recent history on Sunday, catapulting him into the rotation of available hosts for future shows. But according to Fox News, an “oldie but goodie” may be looking to jump back into the lineup.

Billy Crystal is reportedly interested in returning as host of the Oscars, following last Sunday’s spectacular format and, consequently, sky-high ratings.

Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004 but it’s safe to say, when it comes to Oscar’s favorite hosts from recent years, Crystal takes the cake.

He first hosted in 1990, continuing on a four-year consecutive streak through 1993. After taking a 3-year break, Crystal returned for another round of back-to-back hosting in 1997 and 1998, and again in 2000.

The funnyman reportedly has an open schedule these days, having finished touring with his one-man show.

From OK! Magazine

It’s a little bit insulting to Jackman, I think. He did this wonderful job, he delivered higher ratings and now he’s being shown the door. Jackman should have the honor of being asked back – which he could refuse, of course. One thing’s for sure, though – I seriously doubt Jon Stewart and his intellectual snark will ever be asked back. So sad.