The Academy Awards are staying in Hollywood! In fact they’re going to be held in the same building, with a new name. The Kodak Theatre is now The Dolby Theatre and the Academy has signed a 20-year deal to keep The Oscars right where they are. The Dolby company outbid 10 others for the naming rights to the theater, where the show has been held since 2002. President Tom Sherak is glad that they’re staying “where the Academy and motion picture industry are rooted.”
Personally, I’m also happy that the Oscars will remain in Hollywood. Having been there the last two years for Oscar Week and experiencing just how incredible the atmosphere is I wasn’t happy about the talk that there might be a change. H-wood is where the movie magic is made (at least most of it). A move to LA would have taken away a lot of what makes The Oscars a worldwide phenomenon.
Dolby is famous for their audio, so I would except that the sound in the auditorium next Feb. will be better than ever.