Neil Patrick Harris' debut as the host of the Oscars appears to have failed to live up to expectations with audiences around the world.
The 'How I Met Your Mother' star was drafted in after a lacklustre few years with organisers hoping his song and dance background might reverse a fall in television viewing ratings.
Harris kicked off the proceedings on an edgy note, saying it was a night to celebrate "Hollywood's best and whitest - sorry, brightest" - a cutting reference to this year's total lack of non-white acting nominees.
But the reaction on Twitter to his efforts has been mainly negative and in some instances quite brutal.
One viewer, tweeting as MikeSheaAP, said: "Neil Patrick Harris is hemmed in by bad jokes. He also acts like he has so many restrictions on him he's nervous on how to improv safely."
Journalist Tina Brown called him "smirking" and "clueless", while Empire Magazine's Chris Hewitt said: "As star of How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris has form with unfunny formats being stretched out beyond their natural finishing line."
American TV journalist Katie Couric tweeted: "It's official. I'm bored.#Oscars2015".
Another viewer, @SpindriftBeck, said: "There's still time to tack on 'Neil Patrick Harris's Career' to the end of this In Memoriam package."
@Debrapalermo wrote: "Other than PA, JM & Glory this was the WORST #Oscars in YRS! The big winner tonight was Ellen DeGeneres because Neil Patrick Harris sucked!".
Some said that while Harris started off well, he appeared to lose confidence as some of his jokes fell flat with Hollywood's A-listers.
His appearance in his underwear - or his "tighty whities" - got some laughs and was described as "a ballsy move".
On Twitter, he acknowledged the support of his gag writers toiling behind the scenes.
"I'm super appreciative for the group of writers we hired for my #Oscars content. If only they could write everything I say always. #proud," he tweeted.
Among those praising Harris was Seth MacFarlane, whose 2013 turn as Oscars host was judged by many to be a shade too edgy for prime time.
"Fantastic as usual. There's nothing this man can't do brilliantly," the Family Guy creator said on his Twitter feed.
