Poll: Should The Academy Choose a Serious Oscar Host?
Filed under: Awards, Fandom, Home Entertainment, Oscar Watch
Each year the ratings for the Academy Awards seem to drop, and each year more and more people seem to blame the host for his (or her) inability to keep the world glued to their screens for three-plus hours. Sure, it takes a whole lot of everything to satisfy those tuning in to Hollywood's biggest night, but perhaps with the recession and economic problems, folks aren't itching to watch pretty millionaires congratulate one another with smiles, hugs and gold statues. Or we can just blame Jon Stewart for f**king it all up. Either way, the Academy might be looking to switch things up this year by bringing on a host who isn't a stand-up comedian or a TV personality. According to Deadline Hollywood, they've chosen someone "way outside the box" to host this year's ceremony, and there won't be "the traditional segment of joke-telling near the start of the broadcast." DH says, however, that this person "is in the movie biz," and an announcement could come as soon as early next week. While some would prefer to see them lose the funny guy (or girl), I kinda liked it when they'd open up the show with some laughter or a musical number or, ya know, something light and entertaining ... since that's what these people do for a living -- they entertain. And if the Academy chooses some bore to walk out on stage and open up the show with a monologue about how "important" and "meaningful" movies are, I'll be switching channels in no time. Or, they could announce the new host as being The Jonas Brothers ... and then, well, we're all screwed.
But what do you think -- who would you prefer: a funnier, song-and-dance host or a more serious one?
UPDATE: Apparently, according to Deadline Hollywood, Hugh Jackman is the "way outside the box" name the Academy wants to nominate as host for the Oscars. He sure does look good, and claw good, but will he host good?
UPDATE 2: USA Today now confirms that Jackman will indeed host the Oscars.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-12-2008 @ 12:13PM
Paul Nicholson said...
I'm not sure if he would fit the above description, but did anyone see Justin Timberlake host the ESPY's? That was awesome. You want to hold people's attention, that'll do ti.
I think the problem they have is that the goofy fun entertaining part goes up against the later part of the show where these actors and directors get all serious about their self-important art and get too reverent. The serious dramas about gut wrenching issues win the big awards, and the jokes just don't sound right bookending around them.
So serious might fit better - but i'm not sure it'll keep people glued to the screen.
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12-12-2008 @ 12:18PM
xenothaulus said...
Why would I watch a three hour show when I can wake up the next morning and see all the winners online within 5 minutes? That's what's killing their broadcast, not the hosts.
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12-12-2008 @ 12:28PM
Bradford Oman said...
This post should be updated...Nikki Finke has posted her exclusive info today saying that Hugh Jackman is the "person outside the box" in question.
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12-12-2008 @ 12:35PM
David said...
This isn't the year for her -- as she's likely to be nominated -- but I've felt for awhile that Meryl Streep would be an EXCELLENT Oscar host. She's funny, she's got serious award credibility, and most everyone around the world knows and loves her.
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12-12-2008 @ 12:40PM
Bob Mussini said...
One name: - JIM CAREY!!!
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12-12-2008 @ 12:50PM
Matt said...
It's definately not the host that's hurting the ratings. I think what it is, and I could be wrong, is that most of the movies and actors being nominated are not the movies that most people see. Hasn't it been the last couple of years that the best picture nominees don't make a ton of money until after they are nominated. While they are great movies, I just don't think people give a crap any more. They're movies the average people haven't heard of.
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12-12-2008 @ 12:59PM
Clark Parker said...
Hugh Jackman?
I could get behind that... The man is very likeable, very real and honest in his demeanor. I could see this working very nicely.
Plus, he strikes me as a perfect balance between these two ideas of a serious or funny host. Best of both worlds IMO.
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12-12-2008 @ 1:14PM
Asta said...
Considering Hugh hosted the Tony Awards three times, I think it's safe to say he can handle the job.
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12-12-2008 @ 1:21PM
Brant said...
The best Oscar hosts have that mysterious x-factor known as "class." Johnny Carson had it, as did Bob Hope. Billy Crystal was the last one to have it, which is why he's still everybody's favorite host of recent memory.
But I agree with Matt that it's not the host's fault for low ratings. The Oscars just aren't relevant anymore. The best thing the Academy can do this year is to nominate The Dark Knight for best picture. It doesn't have to win, but the nomination would speak volumes.
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12-12-2008 @ 1:36PM
Mr. R said...
Will Ferrell is the man for the job, I don't care if comic is over rated. Deep down it's such a boring ceremony, you got to have some comic relief to bare the repetitive burden of handing out statues to big ego stars.
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12-12-2008 @ 1:51PM
Jim said...
Hugh Jackman? Pass. I would have watched it if Jon Stewart hosted again. Somebody mentioned Will Ferrell; he'd be good as well. But Jackman? Yeah, if you want to guarantee that NONE of us guys tune in at all, then go ahead, have Jackman host it. Snore.
Besides, all the clips will be on youtube the next day with the boring parts cut out, so the show isn't even relevant any longer.
And I guarantee you that Dark Knight, one of the best films this year, is snubbed because it's a genre movie.
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12-12-2008 @ 2:49PM
Max said...
Its Hugh Jackman. For sure.
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12-12-2008 @ 2:57PM
Sam said...
So it's going to be a three-hour Viva Laughlin? Great.
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12-12-2008 @ 5:44PM
chuck said...
While I like Jackman he's NOT right to host the Oscars. The telecast lives and dies by its opening monalogue. Political jabs and inside jokes. that's NOT Jackman!
chuck
http://blog.entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com/
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12-13-2008 @ 2:23AM
YouFaceTheTick said...
The phrase is "I could NOT care less." This implies one could not possibly care any less. I could care less = the show is something you might care about.
I could not care less about the Oscars. They're BS - PR and hype while rarely rewarding quality.
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12-13-2008 @ 3:58AM
Saya said...
Awesome! He'll do wonderful! (maybe the awards show will even be worth watching in its entirety this year - normally the Tonys ARE the only awards show I don't read a book through, etc...) Definately the best Tony host (well other than the year Bernadette hosted with Gregory Hines - now that was a great Tony award show...)
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