Perhaps it's the age of YouTube and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) video, which provides near-immediate access to all important televised events in case something was missed. Could have been the heavy-handed censors at News Corp.'s (NYSE: NWS) FOX Networks, who filtered out more than one relatively sterile comment. Maybe it was the lukewarm reaction to first-time host Ryan Seacrest.

Whatever the excuse, ratings for the Primetime Emmy Awards - broadcast Sunday evening on FOX - scored just 13.1 million viewers, the second-smallest audience on record (exceeded only by 1990). The audience was well below the year-ago Emmy broadcast, which brought in 16.2 million viewers for General Electric's (NYSE: GE) NBC Network.

In terms of the important adults 18-49 demographic, the 2007 Emmys posted a preliminary 4.3 rating/11 share, a 17% drop from 2006, according to Variety. What's more, the ceremony was topped in the ratings game by an early-season edition of Sunday Night Football, which pitted the New England Patriots against the San Diego Chargers on NBC.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Roll over Oscar and tell Emmy the news.

In a move that will foolishly encourage deluded wannabe filmmakers around the world, YouTube said today that it will give awards for excellence in user-generated video.

YouTube will nominate videos in seven categories: most creative, most inspirational, best comedy, musician of the year, best commentary and "most adorable video ever," according to the Associated Press. Perhaps the site should add a few other categories such as best Madonna lip-syncing, weirdest pet tricks and excellence in pirating video.

Nominees for the as-yet unarmed award will be compiled at a gallery where YouTube users can vote on their favorites from Monday through Friday.The winners will be announced March 25.

Even though this will lead to crimes against video, I think it's a smart idea for the Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) site to tap into the enthusiasm of its users.

Now. if YouTube can only figure out how to make nice with media companies and make a profit, shareholders would give Google an award that never gets dusty on mantle: a higher stock price.