Oscars in Crisis? Expert Says Awards Show 'Out of Touch' Amidst DEI Push

The upcoming 97th Oscars ceremony is facing headwinds, with critics suggesting the awards have lost touch with mainstream audiences. Insiders whisper that controversies and a lack of blockbuster nominees are to blame. "I feel really underwhelmed by this year's nominations," one Reddit user lamented, echoing a sentiment of general apathy. Raymond Arroyo, a Fox News contributor, claims that many Oscar voters believe the awards show has "jumped the shark," suggesting this could be the beginning of the end for the Oscars. **Ouch, harsh words!** Arroyo points out that few of the nominated films, aside from "Wicked," have resonated with the general public. According to BoxOfficeMojo, only "Wicked" and "Dune: Part Two" managed to crack the top ten in ticket sales last year. Arroyo argues that the Academy isn't considering popular tastes, creating a disconnect between the voters and the audience. "If they were in touch with the average moviegoer, you would have seen ‘Deadpool [& Wolverine]’ nominated," he stated. He also highlights the Academy's "representation and inclusion standards," instituted in 2024, which require films to meet certain criteria related to underrepresented groups to be eligible for Best Picture. One Oscar winner reportedly told Arroyo that their film might not qualify today due to these DEI requirements. "You have to have so many nontraditional casting here and so many non-White people working on this part of the film," Arroyo quoted the winner as saying. "So it's an interesting thing that we're seeing that I think is disqualifying to a lot of films that we'll never hear of at the Oscars, because they just couldn't check those boxes." Ultimately, Arroyo suggests allowing the audience to vote for their favorite movie to bring more popular films into the mix. He also notes that the rise of streaming services and quality television is challenging the Oscars' cultural dominance. **Maybe it's time for the Oscars to evolve or risk becoming irrelevant?** Last year's ceremony saw a slight increase in viewership, but the long-term trend remains uncertain. Whether the Oscars can adapt to the changing entertainment landscape remains to be seen.