Oscar Orphaned?

By Stephen M. Silverman

05/14/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

A sign of the economic times? Or of a lackluster movie year? For whatever reason, ABC is scrambling to fill remaining commercial slots in its coveted March 25 Academy Awards show, reports the New York Post, which says that even at this late date the network is still attempting to lure advertisers. Traditionally, Hollywood's night of nights has been an ad magnet, given its high ratings and its association with glamour. Typically, all the ad slots are filled by Jan. 1. In fact, usually there are waiting lists to get in to advertise on the Oscars. One hitch for 2001, reports the Post, may be the current ailing financial condition of longtime sponsor Revlon, the cosmetics giant. Last year the company scaled back on its Oscar night ads. This year, there will be none at all. Merrill Lynch, another Oscar supporter in the past, will also be a no-show next month, reports the Post.