HUGH JACKMAN - JACKMAN EFFECT BOOSTS OSCAR RATINGS BY FOUR MILLION

JACKMAN EFFECT BOOSTS OSCAR RATINGS BY FOUR MILLION

The comedic, musical presenting of Oscars host Hugh Jackman helped the ceremony acquire four million extra viewers after a record low in 2008.

Last year's audience of 32 million was the smallest ever measure for an Academy awards telecast, with the 2003 ceremony - at which Chicago won best picture - the second lowest on 33 million.

Though the 2009 ceremony was nowhere near the 55 million record set by the 1998 awards - dominated by Titanic - some 36 million tuned in to see Slumdog Millionaire triumph with eight Oscars.

X-Men star Jackman, a Tony award-winner, had promised a ceremony with "more show, less biz" and opened the event with a comedic song-and-dance routine including best actress nominee Anne Hathaway before Beyonce and the young stars of Mamma Mia! and High School Musical joined him for a second musical number.

While the Washington Post called the opening medley "pointless and flat", it praised Jackman's "versatile and energetic talent".

And though the Los Angeles Times saw the 2009 ceremony as "lacklustre", the New York Times praised its pacing and added: "Hugh Jackman was a shrewd, even thrifty choice for a recession-era Oscar night — the hosting equivalent of a value meal."

Slumdog Millionaire was named best picture at Sunday's 81st annual Academy awards - also claiming the best director, adapted screenplay and original score prizes - while Kate Winslet was named best actress and Sean Penn won best actor for Milk.