The Oscars Drop the New 'Popular' Film Category Following Backlash

From Town & Country

In early August, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that they would be making a few changes to their annual awards presentation, AKA the Oscars, the most controversial of which was the addition of a new 'popular' category.

Now, following a swift and intense backlash, the Academy will not present such an honor at the 91st Oscars.

"There has been a wide range of reactions to the introduction of a new award, and we recognize the need for further discussion with our members,” Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement to Variety. “We have made changes to the Oscars over the years - including this year - and we will continue to evolve while also respecting the incredible legacy of the last 90 years.”

Part of the reasoning given by the Academy for the quick retreat is that "implementing any new award nine months into the year creates challenges for films that have already been released."

The Academy initially shared plans for a new award category centered around popular films on August 8. The announcement also revealed that the show's planned airtime going forward will be a tight three-hours long.

These points were elaborated upon in a letter to Academy members.

That statement clarified that in order to fit all the award categories into the three-hour time frame, some honors would be presented during commercial breaks. "To honor all 24 award categories, we will present select categories live, in the Dolby Theatre, during commercial breaks (categories to be determined). The winning moments will then be edited and aired later in the broadcast," reads the letter, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

The memo also explained that "eligibility requirements and other key details" regarding the new award category for outstanding achievement in popular film "will be forthcoming."

The idea of a new award category honoring popular film prompted quite a bit of conversation on Twitter following the announcement, and most of it was critical.

"There is already an award for popular films. It's called 'money,'" wrote journalist Mark Harris. "have no particular problem with the other new Oscar moves--to insist on a three-hour show (whatever) and to move it a couple of weeks earlier (won't help a thing but won't hurt anything)."

Screenwriter Demi Adejuyigbe, on the other hand, took issue with the addition of this new honor, in place of an award for stunt performance or choreography or voice acting, categories which the Academy does not currently recognize.

Television journalist Margaret Lyons also noted that there is "still no Oscar for casting."

Read a few more of the top Tweets about the changes below:

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