The word came down from Academy President Sid Ganis: they’re doubling the number of Best Pic nominations from 5 to 10.

This move smacks of desperation, if you ask me.

Everyone knows the Academy has been struggling to recapture the magic that used to surround the Oscars. They’ve been tinkering with the ceremony for years. But it’s one thing to re-jigger the show and quite another to re-jigger the actual awards.

I know they used to give out 10 Best Picture nominations back in the 30’s and 40’s, but that was back in the days before TV when it was more of a low-key luncheon.

I know the thinking goes that with more movies up for best picture, more people will have a vested interest in tuning in. But year in and year out, the biggest complaint about the Oscars is they’re too darn long. How is doubling the nominees going to help that?

And what’s next? Are we going to mimic the MTV awards and start adding categories for best fight, best kiss, and my favorite – best WTF moment?

My favorite WTF moment? When MTV named “Twilight” the best pic of the year. Who knows? Maybe its sequel NEW MOON has a chance at this year’s Oscars.