BILL KRAMER:I just got back from a rehearsal.
I think its going to be a beautiful, entertaining, fun show that really celebrates moviemaking.
Thats what we want.
Bill KramerAMPAS
I mean, look, its great for us when big films are nominated.
We love the fact that theres a wide range of movies nominated this year.
DEADLINE:Jimmy Kimmel is back as host this year, his third time.
AMPAS
KRAMER:You bet.
Jimmys been a dream to work with.
He knows live television, live audience, you know, better than anyone.
I think its so critical to have that energy onstage.
Were honored that he decided to join us this year.
There has been a lot of attention in the press to this.
Why was it necessary?
KRAMER:Your questions a great one, Pete.
Its really about being buttoned-up about how we react in real time to things.
So its been a great exercise for us.
KRAMER:You know, I think whats important for us is that were moving forward.
I really want to focus on that.
You know, I think its great that Chris spoke his truth.
I cant speak to the timing of that, but we are ready to move forward.
But how important is social media overall to the Academy?
Do you really want to discourage its use?
Social medias a great leveler.
I think, when used in appropriate ways, its an amazing promotional tool.
People can speak from the hearts.
We have new partnerships this year with Facebook and TikTok and Letterboxd.
So were really leaning into the social media space.
I want to think very differently about how were defining our metrics for success.
Is it just how many people watch the show live that night?
Of course we want that number to be huge.
Of course we want people to tune in, but there are many extensions to the show.
You have, you know, Hulu.
SVOD will give us [live] plus-3 and plus-7 numbers.
You know, YouTube TV, you’re able to watch it night of.
You know, Hulu + Live, you could watch it night of.
The response has been great.
Our follower numbers are increasing rapidly.
So its a great place to celebrate.
Its a great place for discourse.
So, you know, we love social media when used properly.
So youll be seeing some clarifying language around that, too.
Since it first appeared it has now been taken down from her account.
Any comment on that?
KRAMER:We were pleased that it was taken down.
DEADLINE:ABC is a longtime partner now.
How involved is ABC in talking about what youve got going into the show this year?
How are you all working together, because you do have all 23 categories back on the show?
KRAMER:You bet.
Weve been in conversations with ABC on a weekly, if not daily, basis since July.
Theyre in our meetings with producers.
Its a truly collaborative effort.
So the Academy, ABC, show producers, those teams are in constant conversation.
Our experience with ABC has been fantastic.
They have great ideas.
They have a very strong point of view about live TV.
Theyre experts in that area.
So its been great so far.
That they will always be done at the same time as all the other categories?
KRAMER:You know, all I will say is were constantly looking at the evolution of the show.
It was very important to us to include them on the show this year.
Thats very on-mission for the Academy.
I think we can make an incredibly entertaining show with all awards live.
That is the plan for this year, and we will continue to evolve the show after this year.
The 95th Annual Academy Awards airs on Sunday March 12, on ABC starting at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m.
ET and will also be broadcast in over 200 territories worldwide.
