The show received a positive reception from most media publications . '' The New York Times '' film critic Janet Maslin raved that the telecast had " less silliness and less small talk , with more emphasis on cleverly chosen film clips and the bona fide Hollywood magic being celebrated . " She also praised host Goldberg saying that she " sustained a tone of levity , which became particularly important as the sweep by '' Schindler 's List '' threatened to bring out great ponderousness in some quarters . " '' Pittsburgh Post-Gazette '' television critic Robert Bianco commended Goldberg 's performance writing that " She never acted like she was too smart or to hip for the show she was hosting ; she never smirked like there was a joke she alone was cool enough to get . " He also extolled producer Cates by commenting , " In place of the extraneous jokes and terrible production numbers , he gave us a theme that worked and a generous selection of clips to back it up . " Anne Thompson of '' Entertainment Weekly '' lauded Goldberg by stating , " Her elegant appearance ( at least during the first half ) , her uncharacteristic restraint ( she did n't cuss ) , and her ability to make it funny ( despite the very somber speeches ) made the ho-hum telecast worth watching . " Some media outlets were more critical of the show . Television critic Howard Rosenberg of the '' Los Angeles Times '' lamented that Goldberg 's humor " wilted in a blessedly brief 3-hour-and-18-minute telecast . " He also wrote that compared with Billy Crystal , her hosting skills were " balmy " . '' Orlando Sentinel '' film critic Jay Boyar bemoaned that " this year 's Oscarcast was only a little more exciting than a wine snob droning on about his favorite vintages . " Harold Schindler of '' The Salt Lake City Tribune '' remarked that Whoopi 's preference for " insider " jokes " left the audience murmuring and most viewers probably scratching their heads . " He also added the biggest letdown of the telecast was " Goldberg 's seeming ineptness at understanding the moment " The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 46.26 million people over its length , which was a 1 % increase from the previous year 's ceremony . However , the show drew lower Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony with 31.86 % of households watching over a 49.28 share . It also drew a lower 18 – 49 demographic rating with a 19.73 rating over a 40.53 share among viewers in that demographic
previous year 's ceremony
65th Academy Awards
66th Academy Awards