Barry Norman has claimed some critics get the maid to form Oscars opinion

A HOLLYWOOD film critic has cast doubt over who is actually lodging the votes for the Oscars — and it’s probably not who you’d think.

Who is really calling the shots at the Oscars?

FOR filmmakers and actors alike, the Oscars is the most important night of the year.

But while the gold statuette is widely considered to be highest accolade in the film industry, how much do we actually know about those controlling the vote?

Apparently not that much.

Hollywood insider Barry Norman has casually conceded the idea that those entrusted with passing judgment on the year’s best movies could be passing the job off to the house keeper.

Speaking to Radio Times, the veteran film reviewer cast doubt over who is actually lodging the Oscar votes.

“There’s the question of whether all the voters actually saw all the films. It’s not unknown for some, especially the elderly, to get their maids to watch them on DVD and deliver their opinions,” he was reported saying.

There are over six thousand registered voters for the Oscars and according to the organisation’s rules and eligibility, “all voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees.”

Mr. Norman’s comments suggesting that “the elderly” are the more likely to engage in the flippant behaviour by no means signals a minority.

According to a survey conducted last year by the Los Angeles Times, Oscar voters are on average 63 years old, 76 per cent of them are men, and a staggering 94 per cent are white.

There is seldom an Oscars that doesn’t have some sort of controversy around the nominations and/or winners for the top categories.

This year it was the omission of Selma for best picture and the snub of the star studded Lego Movie for best animated film that caused the biggest stir.

Not everyone is going to be pleased with the choice of nominations or eventual winner, but the comments from Mr. Norman certainly don’t help an event that some believe has to fight each year to maintain its relevance.

Film Critic, Barry Norman says that some Oscar judges don’t have the time to watch all the films.

As the Independent points out, if Mr. Norman’s comments do hold some truth, it makes a lot of sense as to why The Help received so many nominations in 2012.