Award shows have faced declining viewership in recent years. Earlier this month, 12.4 million Americans watched the Grammy Awards, the third-smallest TV audience in the history of the broadcast. The Oscars have also seen steadily declining viewership since 2015, hitting a record-low number of viewers in 2021 with only 9.85 million people tuning in, according to Nielsen data.
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Failla said the diminished interest stems from Hollywood using its award ceremonies to make political and social statements.
"They're really eroding a phenomenal thing," Failla said. "Hollywood actors are not famous because of their political views. They're famous because they hit the genetic lottery."
Jimmy Failla said the Oscars went from the "world's biggest party" to the "world's biggest group therapy session." (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
"The Oscars used to represent an opportunity to wear this gorgeous $100,000 outfit that was given to you by a designer so you could go get a trophy, get drunk and hook up with some of the hottest people that have ever walked the face of the earth," he added. "Why would you want to compromise that by taking on the fight of politics?"
Late-night comedy host Jimmy Kimmel is slated to return for a third run at hosting next month’s 95th Academy Awards ceremony. Failla said he doesn’t have much hope that the comedian will do well since Kimmel tends to "play to half the room." But Failla still may tune in to next month’s ceremony.
Late night host Jimmy Kimmel will host the Oscars for the third time next month.
"Sometimes, to feel better about my own fashion choices, I'll put on the Oscars and be like ‘at least I'm not wearing a swan on the red carpet’ or ‘least I didn't do that dopey pandering joke," Failla said. "But I'm never watching them wishing I could be them. And that's a shame because the Oscars used to be aspirational."
"But now you watch it and they really have abandoned everything that made them great," he added.
To watch Failla's full interview, click here: