It's not ironic really. Avatar will still be nominated in more categories than any other film, will probably win more Oscars than any other film, and the top ten will have crowdpleasers like Avatar, Up, District 9, Inglourious Basterds, Up In The Air and potentially Star Trek.

It is ironic. You really don't think the Academy decided to expand the number of Best Picture nominees just so a movie that only made $12 million dollars can win do you? They want the general public to think that they actually do give a crap somewhat on what movies they think should win.

Picking such a low grosser even by the 1950’s and earlier standards kind of defeats that purpose.

They don't care if a successful movie wins. Only that it gets nominated. It's not like they are afraid of people changing the channel after Best Picture is announced.

But they do care about the future ratings. People are going to stop tuning in, like the patterns have been showing if the audience knows what's the point in watching when the film I want to win is going to be beaten by a movie I have never even heard of before.

Now I know that doesn't make it right, cause there have been films in the past that were deserving even though their box-office intake had a lot to be desired, but it will make the Academy less and less relevant to the viewers.

What were the ratings for the Globes? Did Avatar's presence as a nominee make a significant difference in the ratings?

You seem to be confusing 'most successfully produced' with 'most successfully marketed'

Hopefully this will show that the GG win was just a fluke.

If Cameron wins BD, Avatar is a lock to win BP.