The Sam Sanders Show Can The Oscars Be Fixed?
Mar 6, 2026
Clayton Davis, Variety chief awards editor and Awards Circuit host, and Jacqueline Coley, Rotten Tomatoes awards editor and Seen on the Screen host, debate ways to fix the Oscars. They argue for shorter pacing and a mid‑February date. They discuss YouTube as a new home, turning the show into pop culture spectacle, split ceremonies, live scenes on stage, and tighter voting rules.
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Red Carpet Fashion Anchors Oscars Value
- Fashion is central to Oscars' cultural value and red carpet commerce, so moving technical awards off the main show triggers backlash.
- Jacqueline Coley notes cutting categories affected fashion coverage and pageantry that sustain ratings.
Tighten The Telecast And Focus On Memorable Moments
- Keep the Oscars telecast tight and prioritize a good show over raw length to retain viewers.
- Panelists argue a focused three-hour show with meaningful moments beats a meandering longer broadcast.
Add Live Scene Performances To The Show
- Add live staged film moments like short table reads or scene recreations to make the ceremony distinctly live and showcase acting craft.
- Sam Sanders suggests actors perform pivotal three-minute scenes live to create must-watch moments.