This year’s 80th annual Academy Awards, which took place this past Sunday night, was filled with much controversy; the long-lasting Writer’s Strike created much speculation as to whether or not a golden statue would be handed out on Hollywood’s biggest night.

After this year’s Golden Globe Awards were replaced with a measly press conference revealing the winners, many doubted the Oscars would take place. Much to the surprise of many, the awards show pulled through. Unfortunately, according to ABC’s preliminary household metered markets, the Oscars averaged a 21.9 rating/33 share. These ratings were a staggering 21% down from last year, and have now been recorded as the lowest ratings in the last 20 years.

Given the lack of films nominated with any box office success, the low ratings did not come as a surprise. Films such as No Country For Old Men (Winner, Best Picture) and La Vie En Rose (Winner, Best Actress Marion Cotillard) did not receive much commercial success. During the past five years, the highest-rated Oscar telecast was in 2004, when The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won for best picture. The film’s immense box office success may have contributed to such high ratings; the airing pulled in 43.5 million viewers that year. In addition to the lack of public following for the nominated films, the show itself appeared lackluster and rushed. According to the Hollywood Reporter, “Critics said Sunday night’s production’s last-minute turnaround was evident, with the event lacking humorous sketches and overstuffed with dreary clip shows.” Despite the so-called ‘dreariness’ of the clips shown, the montages received much praise for being the best part of the night. The montages reflected back on past Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor/Actress winners dating back to 1929.

The winners of the night came to no surprise; the predictions for the most esteemed awards of the night were, for the most part, spot on. Awards included Best Actor Daniel-Day Lewis (There Will Be Blood), Best Supporting Actor Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men), Best Actress Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose), Best Supporting Actress Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton), Best Picture No Country For Old Men and Best Director Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (No Country For Old Men).

Despite this year’s low ratings, the winners of the night delivered brilliant performances.

Regardless of a film’s box office success, the Oscars prove that fine acting, directing, writing and all the other components that go into making a film will be recognized by the Academy.