This week on Shootout, co-hosts Peter Guber and Peter Bart examined the ever-dwindling ratings for Academy Award broadcasts and asked the big question: Are the Oscars becoming boring, and can they be saved? AMCtv.com readers weighed in on the issue.

"The reason no one cares for the Oscars is because they make the most stupid mistakes in nominating films," said Filmmaker1138, echoing Peter Bart. "The industry is not listening to what people want to see." Not all readers concurred. Cajaygle asked, "Do you want the Oscars to be a top-rated television show, or do you want it to be a meaningful set of awards given to the top talent in the industry?" Pamela-Marie agreed: "This ceremony is about honoring films," she said. "The Oscars, unlike most recent award shows, was not created for the purpose of being on TV and garnering ratings."

Other readers, like gj Frankic, blamed the stars for the Oscars slumping numbers. "When fed a constant diet of celebrity faces in magazines, tabloid TV and Internet access, the excitement of seeing performers loses lustre. The specialness of Oscar Night may return only when spending an evening with favorite performers is something more than same-old, same-old."

But for some, the question is not of blame, but of relevance. "The Oscars have outlived their time," said Windsofmarch. "Much like the Miss America Pageant."