Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily website recently posted an article explaining why cronyism by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) will mean another ratings dive for the Oscars telecast. While I am not up on the Hollywood politics, anyone with a tv set knows that the Emmys and Oscars have become boring ratings disasters.

But in spite of what’s going on with the producers of next year’s Academy Awards show - maybe a bold move will save it. Namely, the nomination of Heath Ledger for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight.

Jeremy Schooley is betting it will. Jeremy’s website, heathledgerdeservesanoscar.com is a grass roots attempt to have Ledger posthumously nominated.

“Weeks before The Dark Knight came out, there was buzz going around about Heath Ledger’s Oscar worthy performance as the Joker.  I must admit, I immediately disagreed with all of my friends and family saying that this was all hype for the movie.  It made perfect sense to me.  I’m a marketer by trade and the hype is great marketing.  Then I saw the movie opening weekend.

I started this website that night, when I got home.  The buzz from the media had set my expectations very high.  Heath Ledger’s brilliant interpretation of the Joker exceeded those expectations.  I couldn’t believe that was him under that makeup.  It was arguably one of the best performances of his career.

I was compelled to create this site after reading about members of the voting committee at the Acadamy, directors, and film critiques discrediting his performance and smearing any legitimate nomination by labeling it as a “sympathy nomination.”  I like to give credit where credit is due.

This is a debate worth having.  It is an important one because of the huge disconnect with the Academy and all the regular folks, like me, who watch these movies.  Are we not smart enough to determine an Oscar worthy performance when we see one?  Do we have any voice whatsoever in the matter?

Cast your vote. Yes or No. There isn’t a right answer.  Having this debate is the least we can do for this man.”