Gay Producers Craig Zadan & Neil Meron Rehired For The Oscars

There may have been a bit of controversy over the Oscars, with some saying host Seth MacFarlane was sexist, mean, or in bad taste, but the Academy obviously didn’t mind too much, as they’ve rehired the men behind the telecast, openly gay producers Craig Zadan & Neil Meron, to come up with the next one.

It was their idea to hire MacFarlane, and while some may not have liked him, the viewing figures show he was a good choice. 40.3 million people watched in the US, which is the best total in three years. The show also showed an an 11% gain in the advertiser beloved 18-49 demographic compared with 2012. For several years the Academy has been trying to boost the Oscars’ attraction to younger viewers, but has had decidedly mixed success. However the 2013 show worked on that score, and it would appear this is one of the things that’s made them decide to go back to Meron and Zadan.

The producers have always seemed a good choice for the Oscars job, as they have experience in film, having produced movies like Hairspray and Chicago, as well as putting on Broadway shows such as the successful restaging of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. It’s a mix of behind-the-scenes stage and screen experience that not many people have.

Apparently in response to the slight controversy over this year’s ceremony, Academy president Hawk Koch issued a statement saying, “Craig and Neil have the overwhelming support of the Academy’s Governors to produce the Oscars again in 2014. In order to establish continuity with this year’s enormously successful show, we felt it was important to give these consummate professionals the green light now to begin creating another great evening.”

Meron and Zadan commented, “We are very honored to have been asked to return as Oscar producers for a second year. We look forward to creating a distinctive and entertaining show.”

It’s unlikely MacFarlane will be back though, as he ruled himself out shortly after this year’s telecast. However Ricky Gervais said the same thing after his first Golden Globes gig, but he came back. The 2014 ceremony will take place on March 2nd, slightly later than this year, so that it doesn’t clash with the Winter Olympics.