At least that's the word from the people. According to Nielsen (Media Research, not Leslie), last night's telecast may have been the lowest-rated Oscar broadcast ever. Preliminary estimates suggest this year's show was watched by 21% fewer people than last year's, and 14% than 2003's, the current booby-prize holder. It's possible that a large percentage of potential viewers were just stuck on an immobile Amtrak train for two-and-a-half hours, like me, and thereby unable to watch. But it seems unlikely. Too bad for the Academy, but at least this will give Jon Stewart something to be wry and self-deprecating about for another few Daily Shows.