Some watching the Oscars last night may have criticized Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin’s jokes, Farrah Fawcett’s snub, the choreographed Best Song segment or even Sarah Jessica Parker’s dress—but at least they were watching.

Yesterday’s coverage of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards attracted the show’s largest in five years. The telecast, which honored ten films for the first time since 1943 , pulled in 41.3 million - up from 2009’s 36.3 million. The 3 1/2-hour broadcast also earned a 13.1 rating, the highest number in three years.

Don’t be surprised if the Academy decides to nominate eleven films in 2011.