Oscars telecast scores highest audience in a decade - Toronto Sun

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2014 Academy Awards

Members of the media take position on the red carpet ahead of the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA)(OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Spike Jonze, winner original screenplay for 'Her', speaks on stage at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Jennifer Lawrence, best supporting actress nominee for her role in the film 'American Hustle' hugs Lupita Nyong'o (L), best supporting actress winner for her role in '12 Years a Slave' at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actor Jamie Foxx is shown backstage before presenting the Oscar for achievement in music written for motion pictures (original score) at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Actor Bill Murray arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT HEADSHOT)(OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Matthew McConaughey accepts the Oscar for best actor for his role in 'Dallas Buyers Club' at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Cate Blanchett speaks on stage after she won best actress for her work in 'Blue Jasmine' at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Actress Jennifer Lawrence gestures as she takes the stage to present the Oscar for performance by an actor in a leading role at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Idina Menzel performs nominated original song 'Let it Go' by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, for the film 'Frozen' at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Singer Lady Gaga arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)(OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Penelope Cruz, wearing a Giambattista Valli Haute Couture silk mousseline gown, arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actor Brad Pitt and his partner, actress Angelina Jolie arrive at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)(OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Director and producer Steve McQueen and Lupita Nyong'o celebrate after winning best picture for '12 Years A Slave' at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Actor Ewan McGregor and his wife Eve Mavrakis arrive at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)(OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

British director and producer of '12 Years A Slave' celebrates after being awarded best picture at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Meryl Streep (L), best actress nominee for her role in 'August: Osage County', greets actress Glenn Close on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Sarah Paulson from the best picture nominated film '12 Years a Slave' poses on arrival at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Show host Ellen DeGeneres delivers pizza to the audience at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Larry Mullen Jr, The Edge, Bono and Adam Clayton (L-R) of the band U2 pose for photographers at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES Tags: - ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actresses Anna Kendrick (L) and Gabourey Sidibe take the stage to present the Oscar for achievement in film editing at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Model Christine Teigen and her husband John Legend arrive on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Bette Midler sings 'Wind Beneath my Wings' at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Jennifer Lawrence (R), best supporting actress nominee for her role in the film 'American Hustle', talks with Lupita Nyong'o, best supporting actress winner for her role in '12 Years a Slave', at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)(OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Jennifer Lawrence, best supporting actress nominee for her role in the film 'American Hustle', peeks around an Oscar statue on the red carpet as actor Brad Pitt (L) looks on at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)(OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Goldie Hawn gets a kiss from her husband Kurt Russell at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Pink performs a tribute to 'The Wizard of Oz' at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Lead singer Bono of the Irish rock band U2 performs 'Ordinary Love' from the film 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Whoopi Goldberg shows her stockings as she presents at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch jumps behind U2 at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Singer Bono (L) of the band U2 talks with Leonardo DiCaprio, best actor nominee for his role in the film 'The Wolf of Wall Street' at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)(OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actor Sidney Potier arrives with his daughter Sydney at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Presenter Anne Hathaway walks on stage at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Actress Glenn Close arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Lupita Nyong'o, best supporting actress nominee for her role in '12 Years a Slave', wearing a Fred Leighton headband and a Prada gown prepares to walk the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Lupita Nyong'o (L) best supporting actress nominee for '12 years a Slave' shakes hands with fellow supporting actress nominee Julia Roberts as Brad Pitt looks on at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Actors Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell arrive at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Anna Kendrick, wearing a black J Mendel gown, arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Meryl Streep, best actress nominee for her role in 'August: Osage County,' arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actor Samuel L. Jackson (L) and best actor nominee Leonardo DiCaprio chat before the show at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Actress Jennifer Garner arrives on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actor Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith arrive on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Emma Watson arrives on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Best supporting actor noiminee Jared Leto arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-SHOW)

Sally Hawkins, best supporting actress nominee for her role in 'Blue Jasmine,' wears an ivory and gold beaded Valentino gown, arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Singer Bette Midler arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Musician Karen O arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Kerry Washington arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Jennifer Lawrence, best supporting actress nominee for her role in 'American Hustle', arrives on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch from the film 'Nebraska' arrives on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actor Chris Hemsworth arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Bruce Dern, best actor nominee for his role in 'Nebraska', and his wife Andrea Beckett arrive at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Singer John Legend arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Laura Dern poses on the red carpet as she arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Chiwetel Ejiofor, best actor nominee for his role in '12 Years a Slave,' and his girlfriend Sari Mercer arrive at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Julie Delpy , best adapted screenplay nominee for her film 'Before Midnight,' wears a blush beaded Jenny Packham gown as she arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Naomi Watts arrives on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

June Squibb, best supporting actress nominee for her role in 'Nebraska', arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Jessica Biel arrives on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Kristen Bell arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Mexican director, Aflonso Cuaron, best director nominee for his film 'Gravity,' and his partner Sheherazade Goldsmith arrive at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Presenter Viola Davis wears an Escada gown at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)(OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

View of the shoes worn by singer Pharrell WIlliams as he arrives with wife Helen Lasichanh at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Model Chrissy Teigen poses on the red carpet as she arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actor Michael B. Jordan arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Television host Kelly Ripa smiles as she arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Adrees Latif (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)(OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Cate Blanchett, best actress nominee for her role in 'Blue Jasmine,' wears a nude Armani gown with metallic embellishments as she arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Presenter Joseph Gordon-Levitt arrives on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Barkhad Abdi, best supporting actor nominee for his role in 'Captain Phillips', arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Actress Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell arrive at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Presenter Anna Kendrick arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES - TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Amy Adams, best actress nominee for her role in 'American Hustle', wearing a navy Gucci Couture gown arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Singer Pharrell WIlliams arrives with wife Helen Lasichanh at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Kristin Chenoweth arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Retired figure skater Tara Lipinski and figure skater Johnny Weir arrive at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT SPORT FIGURE SKATING) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Television personality Robin Roberts arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actress Portia de Rossi arrives on the red carpet at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Steve McQueen, best director nominee for his film '12 Years a Slave,' arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Presenter Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon arrive at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Barkhad Abdi (R), best supporting actor nominee for his role in 'Captain Phillips,' arrives with actor Faysal Ahmed at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Singer Liza Minelli arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

TV host for Extra Maria Menouos arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Actors Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis arrive at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest arrives at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

Former figure skater and commentator Johnny Weir poses on arrival at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California March 2, 2014. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) (OSCARS-ARRIVALS)

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Sunday's Oscar telecast drew 43 million viewers in the United States, delivering the biggest audience for the Academy Awards in a decade, but divided critics, who mostly liked host Ellen DeGeneres but thought the show ran too long.

Nielsen ratings data on Monday showed the audience that watched slavery drama '12 Years a Slave' capture the best picture honor grew 6.4 percent from last year. That is a positive sign for broadcaster ABC, which has signed on to host Hollywood's biggest night through 2020.

The Oscars attract the biggest non-sports TV audience in the United States each year, and the show drew its largest viewership since 2004, when 43.6 million tuned in.

Producers' middle-of-the-road approach to the show with DeGeneres hosting gave the Walt Disney Co-owned network similar results among younger viewers compared with last year, when they gambled with edgier comedian Seth MacFarlane as host.

DeGeneres' deadpan affability hearkened back to the more genteel hosts of the past like Bob Hope and Johnny Carson. Brian Lowry, TV columnist for trade publication Variety, said her opening monologue 'screamed of a desire to dial the show back to safer terrain.'

The 56-year-old comic and daytime talk show host earned high marks for her opening bits, landing jokes about actress Jennifer Lawrence falling on her way to accept an Oscar last year and teasing Oscar voters as 'racists' if '12 Years a Slave' did not win best picture.

The three-and-a-half hour telecast, in which 24 awards were handed out, had little in terms of special tributes or performances to impress critics with its production.

'Despite a terrifically loose Ellen DeGeneres, the first half of the Oscars was the type of slog that makes you wonder if your friends who don't watch TV are onto something,' Entertainment Weekly's Karen Valby wrote.

New York Times TV critic Alessandra Stanley added: 'It can start to feel like a high school graduation where diplomas are handed out alphabetically, and your child's last name begins with Z.'

RETWEET RECORD

Hollywood Reporter writer Tim Goodman thought DeGeneres was 'unpredictably off her game.'

'As a television event, this year's Oscars was more like an endurance test,' he wrote. 'It was a turgid affair, badly directed, poorly produced and featuring an endless string of either tired or wince-inducing moments by DeGeneres, who, by the last 30 or so minutes, seemed to have given up entirely.'

But DeGeneres' low-key affair paid off after several years of experiments by the show's producers in an attempt to boost ratings and attract younger viewers.

In a quest to draw new viewers to an old-school awards show, organizers have expanded the best picture category from five to up to 10 to appeal to more people. They also have rotated through hosts rather than settling on the same host or hosts, as the Golden Globes has done successfully with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and Ricky Gervais before them.

Early data from Nielsen showed that viewers in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 age group declined by 1 percent from last year, while viewers in the 18-34 audience grew by the same margin.

MacFarlane's performance last year put off critics with his song-and-dance routines, as well as provocative bits about Jews, gays and female nudity in film.

This year's show proved to be a smash on social media, with its most talked-about moment DeGeneres' staged 'selfie' with several stars in the audience. It set the record for most retweets on Twitter, so far surpassing 2 million, and also caused a disruption in Twitter service for about 20 minutes.

Twitter Inc said that some 14.7 million Oscar-related tweets were sent worldwide during the telecast, while Nielsen's social media data overall social media activity around the ceremony increased by 75 percent from last year.