From audience reactions to surprise guests and even bathroom exchanges, the New York Times took a deeper dive into criticism of this year’s Oscars, going beyond just the winners and losers. The message of this article was clear: to evaluate all of the elements that go into the Oscars, defining the best and worst moments. Knowing that the only way people could view the Oscars was from a broadcast service, the critics talked a lot about what was actually shown on screen rather than make general conclusions. In two seperate sections they gave credit to “best reaction shots” from audience members caught with an absurd face during Eminem’s performance. They also criticize camera shots on introduction and nominee announcements. I would also say that the critic takes into account societal constraints when reviewing the Oscars, shedding light on some topics that were within the public interest enticing readers to continue to digest their critique.
In chapter 3, Orlik states that ‘receiver criticism tends to focus on the effect that the originator’s medium-conveyed message has on the audience’. By analyzing reception theory through knowledge, group identification and receptivity, we can ascertain whether or not the NYT succeeded in their message. In terms of knowledge, we can assume that anyone reading an article about best/worst elements of the Oscars has some background information about what it is and some, if not most, of the current players in the entertainment industry. NYT was writing for a group that is familiar with this industry, therefore explaining why aspects such as red carpet looks, production choices and surprise guests were important to rank. These media critics know they cannot force audience agreement but can hope to use their platform and opinions to shape public perception. The originator in this case consists of all of the NYT writers who publicized their opinions in contribution. They selected and shaped the article to be a reflection based on what they deemed to be important moments. The intent through this whole article stays the same, to give opinions on the best and worst moments of the 2020 Oscars.
Theresa Tumminello 