It’s been more than a month since Billy Crystal hosted the Academy Awards, but this week was the first time we’d seen him on the party scene in a while, and we chatted with him a little bit about how he felt the Oscarcast went. “You know, it’s a rough gig,†Crystal allowed. “I’m very proud of the stuff we did in the show. We only had a month and a little bit to prepare, and I think we did some really good stuff.†One trend he’s still getting used to? The boom in live-blogs (and live-tweets) during the ceremony. “It’s my only one in the new media world, and it’s a little bizarre to have people commenting on things you’re doing as you’re doing them.â€
“Some of them were not very nice,†Crystal said with a laugh before turning serious. “You know, we’re now in a world where everyone has a voice, and I’m not sure that’s always a good thing.†What did he learn from reading that stuff? “You find out there’s a lot of people that don’t like you,†he chuckled.
So, would he have changed anything about the broadcast after reading those critiques? “Not really,†he said. “I was happy with what we did. I just wish the show was an hour longer.†Should Crystal be asked back to host one more time, he’s leaving the door open. “I had a very good time, you know, and we’ll see what happens,†he said.