The Oscars are too long, too boring, and people just aren’t watching them anymore.  Only 26.5 million people tuned in this year, which was a record low.

But the Academy is taking steps to change all that.  First and foremost, they’re introducing a new award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Film . . . or, as some people are already calling it, the “Popcorn Oscar.”

Obviously, the point is to bring movies into the mix that people have actually seen.  If it goes into effect for the upcoming show, nominees will probably include “Black Panther”“Avengers: Infinity War”, and “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”.

And yes, a movie could be nominated for both this AND Best Picture.  (FYI, Rob Lowe isn’t a fan.)

The Academy is also committed to keeping the show to THREE HOURS.  And to do that, they’re going to present Oscars in some of the lesser categories during COMMERCIAL BREAKS.

They’ll still air them later in the show, but after they’ve been EDITED.  In other words, if you’re up for Best Documentary Short Film, don’t bother writing a long, poignant speech about diversity or world peace, ‘cuz it’s gonna hit the cutting room floor.

(Hollywood Reporter)