Movie insiders fear that tomorrow night's revamped Oscars will be the most disappointing ceremony ever.
Bosses are bracing themselves for the event's lowest TV ratings after the show was hit with a series of problems.
Some fans think the new hosts Amy Schumer, 40, Regina Hall, 51, and Wanda Sykes, 58, won’t provide the necessary spark.
There has also been criticism about guest presenters, such as former Olympic snowboarding champion Shaun White, 35, who was accused of sexual harassment in a case he reportedly settled in 2017.
Oscars chiefs have introduced the "fan favourite," a prize decided by public votes from social media and the Academy website.
There are claims the voting is being manipulated, although the winning film will not get an Oscar for this category.
Other criticisms include that the nominations for best film - such as West Side Story, Nightmare Alley and King Richard - have been branded flops.
The Oscars TV ratings in the US have fallen from 44 million in 2014 to 9.9 million last year. Some say Ricky Gervais, 60, is the only person who could save Hollywood's big bash.
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Many pushed for the British comedian to host the ceremony, but insiders say bosses think his jokes are too savage. Gervais told a string of lacerating gags while hosting the Golden Globes.
He said: "The great thing about the Globes was they said I could say what I want. I don't think the Oscars ever would allow me that freedom. And rightly so… they'd be mad."
The 94th Academy Awards will be staged at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in California on Sunday (March 27).
It will be hosted by Schumer, Hall and Sykes - who are perhaps best known for their comedy performances in various films.
Schumer's credits include Trainwreck (2015) and I Feel Pretty (2018). She had previously had her own sketch show, titled Inside Amy Schumer, which ran from 2013 to 2016.
Hall is best known for appearing in the Scary Movie film series between 2000 and 2006, with her having more recently starred in the TV series Nine Perfect Strangers in 2021.
Sykes is known for her ongoing roles on shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and Black-ish. Her film credits include Monster-in-Law (2005), Over the Hedge (2006) and Bad Moms (2016).
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