Other media outlets received the broadcast more positively . Film critic Carrie Rickey of '' The Philadelphia Inquirer '' wrote , " Crystal sparkled as the host of the annual awards at the Shrine Auditorium . " She also noted , " The mood of the evening was elegant and gracious . " '' Chicago Tribune '' columnist Steve Johnson commented , " Billy Crystal returned as host of the Academy Awards on Monday night and proved that even if mainline Hollywood is nearly shut out in the trophy dispensing , one of its representatives can at least make a television broadcast entertaining . " Television critic Kinney Littlefield of the '' Orange County Register '' quipped , " In his fifth stint as host , Crystal served up the sense of inclusive , insider movie community that had been missing during his three-year absence . " In addition , she observed , " For most of the evening , Oscar seemed newly energized , upbeat and full of splashy fun . " The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 40.08 million people over its length , which was a 9 % decrease from the previous year 's ceremony . An estimated 73.83 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards . The show also drew lower Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony with 27.49 % of households watching over a 46.31 share . In addition , it also drew a lower 18 – 49 demo rating with a 16.55 rating over a 34.32 share among viewers in that demographic . It was the least watched ceremony in a decade and the lowest rated telecast since the 58th awards gala held in 1986
in a decade
59th Academy Awards
69th Academy Awards