Get Deadline news and alerts FREE to your inbox...
COMMENTS (47)
James Franco’s hosting chores were painful to watch. He appeared sullen-faced and uncomfortable with the whole evening’s proceedings. The jokes were often badly written and always badly delivered—drag and sexual references fit for a high school student. What were the producers thinking? Anne Hathaway came off just slightly better. It’s a shame. I like them both, but yikes, that was an awful exercise!
Comment by AaronSch — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 6:01am PST Reply to this post
I agree. Anne Hathaway was better than James Franco but neither one of them were very good
Comment by Britt — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 7:33am PST Reply to this post
They’re great actors, and Hathaway tried her damnedest. I kinda have a crush on both of them.
Comment by Kwak — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 1:09pm PST Reply to this post
Just awful.
Comment by Joy — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 6:08am PST Reply to this post
Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin. For life.
Comment by Jk5000 — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 6:14am PST Reply to this post
After 30 minutes, I asked friends on FB: “Is it just me, or are Franco and Hathaway bombing?”
It wasn’t just me.
Comment by Jason — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 6:15am PST Reply to this post
How sad for you.
Comment by Mexy Martini — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 9:59am PST Reply to this post
Franco was stoned and hathaway acted like a 12 year old. I think Nolan must be regretting casting her as Catwoman.
Comment by Tom Strong — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 6:18am PST Reply to this post
I thought Anne did the best she could considering what she had to work with. James was a disaster. No charisma or personality whatsoever. He looked stoned and completely uninterested. the writing was pretty awful. I loved Anne’s dresses and her song number, too.
Comment by Cali — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 6:18am PST Reply to this post
“I think Nolan must be regretting casting her as Catwoman”. Because Catwoman is going to host an awards ceremony in the new Batman film? Don’t be an idiot. Anne Hathaway will turn out to be purrfect casting.
Comment by For Cryin Out Loud — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 6:54am PST Reply to this post
Yeah, right? What kind of stupid comment is that.
Comment by Kwak — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 1:10pm PST Reply to this post
Oh you did not just rape Back to the Future for this. Any of those 2010 movies, fine, but you did not do that. I did not see that. That is just wrong. That is wrong on so many levels. I must rinse my brain now.
Comment by Nurf? — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 6:54am PST Reply to this post
James and Franco did the impossible….they made me long for David Letterman to host again. I’d take stupid pet tricks over anything they did last night. It wasn’t just that they weren’t funny but they made me feel embarrased for them. hey were really let down by the writers. Not one spontaneous remark. Unless someone tells them what to say most actors are airheads and can’t string two words together.
Comment by Uma - Oprah — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 6:57am PST Reply to this post
“James and Franco” are actually the same person… James Franco. His cohostess was Anne Hathaway.
Comment by Spyder121 — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 9:26am PST Reply to this post
Hilarious!
Comment by Zach — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 12:22pm PST Reply to this post
Anne was a woooo girl, degrading the Oscars to nothing more than a football game. Introducing Steven Speilberg – wooooooo!!!
Comment by Nunya — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 7:00am PST Reply to this post
I know–I actually winced when she did that.
Comment by Lady Di — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 4:50pm PST Reply to this post
When will the Academy finally give Martin Short his chance to host the Oscars? They have made so many dull choices over the last fifteen years. Mr. Short would knock it out of the park.
Comment by John Mitchell — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 7:08am PST Reply to this post
Oh ye gods, yes! Please, Martin Short! If not him, then any of the following: Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal. You know–somebody fun, witty??
Comment by Laura — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 9:30am PST Reply to this post
And get Tina Fey to write!
Comment by Lady Di — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 4:52pm PST Reply to this post
Is he available or will there be a conflict with state fair and Indian casino circuits?
Comment by Kwak — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 1:11pm PST Reply to this post
worst show ever…bob hope and billy crystal were the best segments…the show should always be hosted by a comedian because it is silly from the get go
Comment by mombo — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 7:33am PST Reply to this post
They had to trot out the “Passover” gag? It’s only funny the first dozen times you hear it.
Comment by Jiminy Kritic — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 11:16am PST Reply to this post
Things worth complaining about from last night: The King’s Speech winning “Best Original Screenplay” when Tom Hooper admits that it’s based on a play, Christopher Nolan getting snubbed for Best Director, and the Academy confusing themselves for The Razzies and giving Alice in Wonderland multiple awards.
Not worth complaining about: the opening sketch. I swear, it’s like they let me write it or something. It featured the best movie of 2011 (Inception) more than any other, most closely followed by the best movie of all time (BTTF). Mix that with a nice 30 Rock tie-in (Baldwin mentioning on a recent episode that he never sleeps on planes out of fear of being ‘incepted’) and I was smilin’ the whole way.
Comment by Lex — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 7:38am PST Reply to this post
Have to agree with you John. Short, like Tom Hanks, Steven Martin and Billy Crystal (all of whom are actually good friends with each other) fits the elder-statesmen role. His appearances on Letterman are the stuff of legend. I think Short would be a brilliant host. He could even pop out as Jiminy Glick (a walking/talking dictionary of old school showbiz). I wonder if he’s ever been asked…
Comment by TheNBCPaycock — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 8:04am PST Reply to this post
That promo was hilarious.
Comment by Da Vinci Smetana — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 8:11am PST Reply to this post
Franco’s problem last night was he smoked Trainwreck instead of Pineapple Express.
Comment by Robin — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 8:12am PST Reply to this post
Sandra Bullock as Oscar host next year!
Comment by georgie — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 8:19am PST Reply to this post
Totally disagree with all the comments. Best Oscars in years. Franco and Hathaway were great and hysterical. Totally amazed at all the hate. Intro film was great, show actually had good writers script the presenters remarks, and show moved along at a good pace. They only part that lacked was when Billy Crystal tried to come back. His time has come and gone.
Comment by Andrew — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 8:20am PST Reply to this post
You, sir, must be smoking the same thing Franco was.
Comment by Jiminy Kritic — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 11:14am PST Reply to this post
An almost annual change in hosts, and yet the Academy can’t get it right. Perhaps if they took the time to consider the common factor over the past decade of hoary jokes and stale lines that would make a Vaudeviller roll his eyes, they might realise where the real problem is and finally replace the head writer.
Comment by TG — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 8:24am PST Reply to this post
Anne Hathaway is pretentious as hell and tried way too hard. She came off as a big phony and someone who needs to have her head deflated.
Franco wasn’t THAT bad. Maybe he was put off by Anne and the material he was given.
Comment by alice — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 8:47am PST Reply to this post
I’m a Franco fan…but that was bad. Anne tried, but it didn’t go anywhere. At least it was a short cast.
Comment by Alboone — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 9:03am PST Reply to this post
Dear Academy, please next year have Sandra Bullock host the awards.
Comment by Evan — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 9:35am PST Reply to this post
They could have a gag involving her sex tape. Jesse James in an SS officer’s hat shouting expletives in German at Sandra, followed by him putting an Oscar where the sun don’t shine.
Comment by Kwak — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 1:15pm PST Reply to this post
Franco is a media creation and has zero comic talent. Why would anyone in their right mind expect him to be able to do anything but embarass himself in this new role. Everytime I see him he appears less and less talented which at this point is becoming a bottomless experience.
People have been sucked into his media hype and now are finally beginning to realize they were conned.
I loved the talent that won and there were many very talented people who were nominated as well. Hathaway gave it the old college try but if I were here I would be furious with my partner. He left her looking like she was overacting badly in order to fill the black hole which was Franco. Those actors are spoiled and useless and usually dissappear from the profession before too long, I wish the same for this loser.
Comment by buddhab — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 9:44am PST Reply to this post
Yeah, Franco’s a “media creation.” Who’s been nominated for an Oscar, multiple Bafta’s, an Independent Spirit Award, several SAG awards, and many others. He’s so freakin’ untalented. And on top of everything else, he bombed an increasingly dull and irrelevant awards show, so he sucks so much.
Comment by Kwak — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 1:24pm PST Reply to this post
I’m just glad for the Franco ass shot. Boing. Boing.
Comment by Mexy Martini — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 10:02am PST Reply to this post
Franco should not be smokin’ doobies before hosting an awards show.
Comment by James' Mother — Monday February 28, 2011 @ 10:10am PST Reply to this post
James Franco’s hosting chores were painful to watch. He appeared sullen-faced and uncomfortable with the whole evening’s proceedings. The jokes were often badly written and always badly delivered—drag and sexual references fit for a high school student. What were the producers thinking? Anne Hathaway came off just slightly better. It’s a shame. I like them both, but yikes, that was an awful exercise!
I agree. Anne Hathaway was better than James Franco but neither one of them were very good
They’re great actors, and Hathaway tried her damnedest. I kinda have a crush on both of them.
Just awful.
Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin. For life.
After 30 minutes, I asked friends on FB: “Is it just me, or are Franco and Hathaway bombing?”
It wasn’t just me.
How sad for you.
Franco was stoned and hathaway acted like a 12 year old. I think Nolan must be regretting casting her as Catwoman.
I thought Anne did the best she could considering what she had to work with. James was a disaster. No charisma or personality whatsoever. He looked stoned and completely uninterested. the writing was pretty awful. I loved Anne’s dresses and her song number, too.
“I think Nolan must be regretting casting her as Catwoman”. Because Catwoman is going to host an awards ceremony in the new Batman film? Don’t be an idiot. Anne Hathaway will turn out to be purrfect casting.
Yeah, right? What kind of stupid comment is that.
Oh you did not just rape Back to the Future for this. Any of those 2010 movies, fine, but you did not do that. I did not see that. That is just wrong. That is wrong on so many levels. I must rinse my brain now.
James and Franco did the impossible….they made me long for David Letterman to host again. I’d take stupid pet tricks over anything they did last night. It wasn’t just that they weren’t funny but they made me feel embarrased for them. hey were really let down by the writers. Not one spontaneous remark. Unless someone tells them what to say most actors are airheads and can’t string two words together.
“James and Franco” are actually the same person… James Franco. His cohostess was Anne Hathaway.
Hilarious!
Anne was a woooo girl, degrading the Oscars to nothing more than a football game. Introducing Steven Speilberg – wooooooo!!!
I know–I actually winced when she did that.
When will the Academy finally give Martin Short his chance to host the Oscars? They have made so many dull choices over the last fifteen years. Mr. Short would knock it out of the park.
Oh ye gods, yes! Please, Martin Short! If not him, then any of the following: Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal. You know–somebody fun, witty??
And get Tina Fey to write!
Is he available or will there be a conflict with state fair and Indian casino circuits?
worst show ever…bob hope and billy crystal were the best segments…the show should always be hosted by a comedian because it is silly from the get go
They had to trot out the “Passover” gag? It’s only funny the first dozen times you hear it.
Things worth complaining about from last night: The King’s Speech winning “Best Original Screenplay” when Tom Hooper admits that it’s based on a play, Christopher Nolan getting snubbed for Best Director, and the Academy confusing themselves for The Razzies and giving Alice in Wonderland multiple awards.
Not worth complaining about: the opening sketch. I swear, it’s like they let me write it or something. It featured the best movie of 2011 (Inception) more than any other, most closely followed by the best movie of all time (BTTF). Mix that with a nice 30 Rock tie-in (Baldwin mentioning on a recent episode that he never sleeps on planes out of fear of being ‘incepted’) and I was smilin’ the whole way.
Have to agree with you John. Short, like Tom Hanks, Steven Martin and Billy Crystal (all of whom are actually good friends with each other) fits the elder-statesmen role. His appearances on Letterman are the stuff of legend. I think Short would be a brilliant host. He could even pop out as Jiminy Glick (a walking/talking dictionary of old school showbiz). I wonder if he’s ever been asked…
That promo was hilarious.
Franco’s problem last night was he smoked Trainwreck instead of Pineapple Express.
Sandra Bullock as Oscar host next year!
Totally disagree with all the comments. Best Oscars in years. Franco and Hathaway were great and hysterical. Totally amazed at all the hate. Intro film was great, show actually had good writers script the presenters remarks, and show moved along at a good pace. They only part that lacked was when Billy Crystal tried to come back. His time has come and gone.
You, sir, must be smoking the same thing Franco was.
An almost annual change in hosts, and yet the Academy can’t get it right. Perhaps if they took the time to consider the common factor over the past decade of hoary jokes and stale lines that would make a Vaudeviller roll his eyes, they might realise where the real problem is and finally replace the head writer.
Anne Hathaway is pretentious as hell and tried way too hard. She came off as a big phony and someone who needs to have her head deflated.
Franco wasn’t THAT bad. Maybe he was put off by Anne and the material he was given.
I’m a Franco fan…but that was bad. Anne tried, but it didn’t go anywhere. At least it was a short cast.
Dear Academy, please next year have Sandra Bullock host the awards.
They could have a gag involving her sex tape. Jesse James in an SS officer’s hat shouting expletives in German at Sandra, followed by him putting an Oscar where the sun don’t shine.
Franco is a media creation and has zero comic talent. Why would anyone in their right mind expect him to be able to do anything but embarass himself in this new role. Everytime I see him he appears less and less talented which at this point is becoming a bottomless experience.
People have been sucked into his media hype and now are finally beginning to realize they were conned.
I loved the talent that won and there were many very talented people who were nominated as well. Hathaway gave it the old college try but if I were here I would be furious with my partner. He left her looking like she was overacting badly in order to fill the black hole which was Franco. Those actors are spoiled and useless and usually dissappear from the profession before too long, I wish the same for this loser.
Yeah, Franco’s a “media creation.” Who’s been nominated for an Oscar, multiple Bafta’s, an Independent Spirit Award, several SAG awards, and many others. He’s so freakin’ untalented. And on top of everything else, he bombed an increasingly dull and irrelevant awards show, so he sucks so much.
I’m just glad for the Franco ass shot. Boing. Boing.
Franco should not be smokin’ doobies before hosting an awards show.