Acad's Oscar dilemma

And also the champion is... definitely not the Academy.The large surprise wasn't the exit of Brett Ratner as Oscar producer but the truth that he was hired to begin with. It had been another instance of AMPAS executives' dogged and misguided "let us get stylish" push to lure TV audiences. And once more, that tactic has switched around and bitten Oscar on his golden hind.Eddie Murphy's withdrawal as host on Wednesday was virtually another shoe shedding. However the whole flap points in the central dilemma for that Academy of movement Picture Arts & Sciences: Inside a world that's quickly altering because of the economy, technology and audience tastes, the entertainment business needs to forget about old business models. The format for that kudocast was radical in 1953, however the Academy and producers of other public honours shows, which simply imitate the Academy awards, desire to make bold choices to create the kudocasts in to the twenty-first century.The employing of Ratner, to create new perspective towards the show, wasn't exactly bold: Cosmetic tweaks to some set-in-stone structure aren't the answer.If Academy honchos wish to have a celebration that honors 24 groups equally around the air, that's their right when they and ABC executives wish to have a gangbusters Television show that pulls huge audiences, that's great. But, clearly, they cannot have both. And they've to determine that they want.In some way, somebody got the concept that the answer is to usher in fresh contributing factors but pressure them to stick to that old format. Believe me, AMPAS executives could hire Attacking Young Boys and also the entire Kardashian family to host the show also it still will not obtain the rankings they really want.The backlash against James Franco's hosting in Feb was from proportion to his performance (the media was much less critical of co-host Hathaway As Catwoman). Franco is really a gifted actor along with a multifaceted intellectual, which aren't the very first characteristics one seeks within an Oscar host. Casting is vital in Hollywood, and Franco and Ratner were both oddly cast. And also the media fury over Franco's work appeared a veiled slap in the Academy for getting hired him.Similarly, Ratner has proven a effective director, but he's also cultivated an event-fratboy image. When he ongoing to push that image in the interview on "The Howard Stern Show" Monday, AMPAS executives were shocked. But what did they expect?Ratner's homophobic remark was appalling and deserved to become addressed. Nearly as appalling was AMPAS leader Tom Sherak's Monday whitewash from the comment: "He apologized and we'll move ahead He's many buddies who're people from the lgbt community." This is a 2011 variation from the old "a number of my close friends are..." excuse.Tom, I believe you are an excellent guy, but when I am ever inside a PR scrape, do not arrived at my defense.Sherak required a decidedly different tone in the comments after Ratner's bow-out Tuesday, saying Ratner "did the best factor for that Academy as well as for themself His comments were unacceptable."On Wednesday mid-day, AMPAS introduced its new producer: John Grazer (incidentally, a producer of "The Dilemma," which featured an unfunny anti-gay joke that Imagine declined to get rid of despite protests).Grazer. Hmm. Clearly, the Academy is not prepared for a bold decision. But maybe the coming year. Contact Timothy M. Grey at tim.grey@variety.com