Maybe it was due to the writers strike, a downturn in the public’s enthusiasm about the year’s best performances at movies or celebrity overload but for whatever reason a lot less people tuned in to watch the 80^th Annual Academy Awards this year. According to the Nielsen estimates about 32 million people watched the broadcast on ABC which is down 9 million from last year’s broadcast. The highest Oscar ratings were recorded in 1998 when “Titanic” swept an impressive 11 categories including Best Picture.

Oscar host Jon Stewart kept the three-hour program moving ahead during segments and also won accolades when he brought out Marketa Irglova so she could have her moment and chance to say thank you for winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Just before the commercial break Irglova’s partner Glen Hansard say his thank yous but as Irglova walked up to the microphone conductor Bill Conti started up his orchestra and drowned out her acceptance speech. Stewart corrected the oversight and won instant coolness with the viewers by letting the starstuck young musician “enjoy her moment.”

Comedy Central’s newsman Jon Stewart will host the 80th Academy Awards when it airs next year. This will be the second time that the “Daily Show” star has hosted, his first time being two years previously. “Jon was a terrific host for the 78th Awards. He is smart, quick, funny, loves movies and is a great guy. What else could one ask for?” commented the show’s producer, Gilbert Cates, when the decision was announced. “I’m thrilled to be asked to host the Academy Awards for the second time because, as they say, the third time’s a charm,” quipped Stewart.

Last year’s Oscar telecast, emceed by Ellen DeGeneres, attracted 39.9 million viewers. By contrast Stewart’s broadcast the year before drew one million less. It will be interesting to see if the audience figures rise above last year’s show now that Stewart is more of a household name in America. The show will be broadcast on Sunday, February 24^, 2008.