80th Oscars a Dud, Preliminary Ratings Show 14 Percent Lower Than Least-Watched Ceremony

Appears that the Mutual Admiration Societies incessant meetings no longer hold the snake fascination they once did.

LOS ANGELES — The Oscars were a ratings dud. More so than usual, even.

Preliminary ratings for the 80th annual Academy Awards telecast were 14 percent lower than the least-watched ceremony ever, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Nielsen said Monday that overnight ratings were also 21 percent lower than last year, when "The Departed" was named best picture.