[After this column was published, the academy reversed its ruling on the Oscars telecast.]

When it comes to this year’s Oscars, “short” seems to be the buzzword.

Just look at all the controversial decisions the academy has made over recent months in pursuit of a shorter Oscar telecast. Some of these ideas have been quickly withdrawn, like reducing the number of best-song performances, though the academy continues to cling to its latest unpopular move of presenting four categories during commercial breaks.

While those acceptance speeches will be edited into a montage shown later in the broadcast, the plan has still drawn fire from directors, editors and cinematographers whose films would be affected. But if the academy is so determined to trim the Oscar ceremony to the categories the general public is most invested in, isn’t it time instead to have a conversation about whether the three short-film Oscars should still be part of the main show?