The answer is pretty simple to me, but the network will never agree to it. Cut the show to 2 hours max. Make it entertaining and big-award-centric. Keep it moving. Continue with comedy at the beginning, but then "cut, cut, cut". Go right to the major awards. Get rid of most of the "production segments", but keep a few for entertainment value, of course. Can they do this in two hours? Yes, I think so. But as I said, the network won't ever agree to less revenue, even with greater ratings. Perhaps I am too stupid to understand the money involved, but I would certainly watch a 2-hour show instead of my usual tuning in and out, (mostly out).