Several days before the ceremony , activist group Rainbow Coalition , led by Reverend Jesse Jackson , planned a protest regarding African Americans and other racial minorities in the film industry . The group was voicing its objections to unflattering portrayals of minorities in film and television and the fact that minorities were underemployed in the entertainment industry . Jackson further pointed out the disparity in racial minorities in Hollywood by noting that Best Live Action Short Film nominee Dianne Houston was the only African American nominated that year . Although the group initially planned to demonstrate outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion , an agreement between Jackson and producer Jones caused the protest to be moved adjacent to the broadcast facilities of the local ABC affiliate KABC-TV . Nevertheless , Jones remarked that the Academy Awards were not the appropriate venue for such protest declaring " Why should the movie business be different from anything else in America ? It 's a problem that permeates everything in the country . Every facet of America discriminates . " The show received a positive reception from most media publications . '' The New York Times '' film critic Janet Maslin raved , " Mr. Jones pointedly turned this year 's ceremony into a showcase for Hollywood 's new guard . " She also praised host Goldberg 's opening monologue , remarking that it " established the sharpness of this year 's gag writing . " '' People '' columnist Janice Min wrote that " the most egregious crime at the 68th Academy Awards on March 25 was – egad ! – the relentless elegance and good taste that deprived viewers of genuine , Grade A snicker fodder . Television critic Howard Rosenberg of the '' Los Angeles Times '' applauded Goldberg 's performance , noting that her " confident performance ... was symbolic of her whopping improvement as host over her showing on the 1994 Oscars . " Some media outlets were more critical of the show . '' Chicago Tribune '' television critic Steve Johnson lamented that Goldberg " settled into bland script reading that made one long for David Letterman 's cranky unpredictability in the role last year . " He also stated that the " Best Costume Design fashion show " was the silliest opening Oscar production number since Rob Lowe and Snow White sang " Proud Mary " in 1989 . Ken Tucker of '' Entertainment Weekly '' bemoaned that the dominance of Best Picture winner '' Braveheart '' and the lack of fashion glamour " had the makings of a tiresome evening . " The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 44.81 million people over its length , which was a 9 % decrease from the previous year 's ceremony . The show also garnered lower Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony , with 30.48 % of households watching over a 48.88 share . It also earned a lower 18 – 49 demographic rating with an 18.76 rating over a 35.27 share among viewers in that demographic
previous year 's ceremony
67th Academy Awards
68th Academy Awards