With just a week and a half left until the Academy Awards, news of and commentary on the details of the event are a hot topic lately. Part of the heat comes from recent announcements, hints and rumors about what’s in store for this year’s telecast, which has so far been mostly a top secret production. Here’s the big question: is there anything known or unknown about the ceremony that’s appealing at all to casual viewers or even diehard fans of the Oscars? Going by what people are writing on the web this week, it doesn’t seem so. In fact, it appears the biggest threat to the program’s ratings, even more than the Dark Knight snub, is the telecast itself. Seriously, wouldn’t you draw more viewers by telling them what great things you have in store rather than hope they’re curious enough for surprises?

For thoughts on why Queen Latifah, Hugh Jackman and especially producers Bill Condon and Laurence Mark are killing the Oscars this year, check out our roundup of quotes and links after the jump.

• The first promo photos of Hugh Jackman (partially seen above) have arrived, by way of Just Jared.
• Also, via Anne Thompson, a video of Jackman awkwardly discussing his employment as host and hinting about changes. It’s interesting that Thompson says he “promises” a twist, while ABC’s caption refers to the twist as a warning.
• And for anyone watching the video wondering what a “stunned mullet” is, Vulture’s Mark Graham found out.
• Because this year’s Oscars don’t already stink enough of Harvey Weinstein’s dealings, there will be two special Project Runway tie-ins. First, viewers get to vote in the Oscars Designer Challenge, where they can choose one of seven gowns from up-and-coming designers that they’d like to see a (unnamed) presenter wear on the big night. Second, Tim Gunn will be on the red carpet. Popeater has the interview.
• Of course, all of the top secret presenters won’t be arriving via the red carpet; instead they’re getting a secret entrance, an idea Seth at Defamer notes is upsetting everyone from the pros to the viewers at home: “It’s not just the designers who hate the idea, but an entire industry of showbiz parasites who feed off the scarlet artery—people like Joey Fatone, already panicking at the prospect of winging small talk with some nominobody after carefully preparing a whole slew of “So, what’s it like to be a homosexual?” questions for an absent Sean Penn. Stop tinkering with the system, people. It works for a reason: So we can experience candid and fascinating moments like this.”
• Brian Marder at Hollywood.com agrees that the idea ruins TV viewers’ fun: “all well and good for camera-loathing A-listers like Johnny Depp, but for those who throw pre-show-themed viewing parties, it definitely stings a little bit.”
• Also at Defamer, Kyle Buchanan invites us to vote for who Mickey Rourke should take as his Oscar date. Maybe the winner of this poll can wear the winning dress from the design contest?
• “This, I can’t go along with.  I’ve been one of the biggest supporters of whatever Bill Condon and Laurence Mark can cook up, but crooning during a segment like this?  And Queen Latifah of all people (who I love, mind you)?  I don’t like it.  Maybe it’ll work but I’m skeptical.” That’s In Contention’s Kristopher Tapley worrying about the announcement Latifah will be singing over the “In Memoriam” montage. An plan obviously influenced by the desire to curb the audience’s applause.
• Rope of Silicon’s Brad Brevet has first-hand details on Michael Bay’s unwanted ideas for the show: “I told them there was only one way to make the biggest award show on the planet even bigger outside of holding it at the Pentagon,” says Bay. “and that was to feature the robots from my movie [Transformers].”
• “Anything, anything to break from the script for what is shaping up to be the most pointless, predictable Oscar night in living memory,” writes The Guardian’s Xan Brooks in the hopes voters don’t blindly follow the awards-season herd. Methinks it’s too late to convince viewers of possible upsets.