The show received a positive reception from most media publications . Television critic Howard Rosenberg of the '' Los Angeles Times '' lauded Crystal 's performance writing that he " would earn top billing as that unusual comedian as artful at doing musical comedy as jokes . " '' San Francisco Chronicle '' columnist John Carman raved , " It was the best Oscar show in two decades . " He also gave high marks for the host , commenting , " But last night , Crystal was back in razor form . " '' The Seattle Times '' television editor Kay McFadden praised Crystal commenting that " he possesses nearly impeccable timing and judgment . " In addition , she noted that while the ceremony dragged on , " Last night was one of television 's smartest live ceremonies in recent memory . " Some media outlets were more critical of the show . Ray Richmond of '' Variety '' complained that the ceremony proved to be a " Yawner of an Oscarcast . " He added that Crystal 's " off-the-cuff one-liners sank faster than the great ship herself . " '' Boston Globe '' television critic Matthew Gilbert bemoaned , " There was hardly a spontaneous moment during last night 's Oscarcast . " Film critic Carrie Rickey from '' The Philadelphia Inquirer '' lamented that the inevitable '' Titanic '' sweep " sank a telecast loaded with montages of previous years ' Oscar highlights . " The popularity of '' Titanic '' greatly increased television ratings for the ceremony . The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 57.25 million people over its length , which was a 29 % increase from the previous year 's ceremony . An estimated 87.50 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards . The show also earned higher Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony with 35.32 % of households watching over a 55.77 share . In addition , it garnered a higher 1849 demo rating with a 24.90 rating over a 44.30 share among viewers in that demographic . It overtook CBS ' live telecast of the 1984 Grammy Awards to become , as it remains to date , the highest viewership for both an Academy Award telecast ( since figures were compiled beginning with the 46th ceremony in 1974 ) and any live awards show airing in U.S. television history
46th ceremony
46th Academy Awards
70th Academy Awards