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October 29th, Variety: No Oscars For Jackman: "While speculation is running high on who’ll host the Oscarcast, it won’t be Hugh Jackman. Jackman, who’s currently starring on Broadway with Daniel Craig in the drama “A Steady Rain,” quietly turned down the job within the past several weeks, sources said."
October 16th, Deadline Hollywood: Oscar Can't Always Gets What He Wants: "I'm told that AMPAS is about to check on the availability of Hugh Jackman to host for the 2nd year in a row. What an honor for the Aussie actor, who recently helped the show win the Emmy. But I've learned people around Jackman are going to privately recommend against him doing it twice. "He's a movie star, not a song and dance man," one rep told me, especially since Hugh also hosted the Tony's. So it looks as if new AMPAS president Tom Sherak is back at square one."
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I really hope they ask Jon Stewart again, he is great. And why have we completely forgotten about billy crystal — after all these years, does he still not want to come back?
Oprah should host the Oscars this year
What about Jack Black?
He’s an actor, comedian, singer, movie star. He’s hosted awards shows before. He relates to a vast swath of young people. He could bring some levity to the proceedings.
And he will help make the new 10-film knock down drag out Best Picture category into something fun.
Gee I forgot Ellen DeGeneres. Let her host again with Portia in the front row. That might make it up to LGBT for Brokeback Mountain.
2nd. Looking at wiki the hosts from 1971 to 1976 kicked ass. Richard Pryor, Hellen Hayes, Sammy Davis, Diana Ross etc.
So, let’s have the hottest, Beyonce, Lady Ga Ga, Shia Lebouf and for the older set James Earl Jones.
3rd. Want to keep it real back to Jay and Dave.
4th Keep it funny David Spade, the D list chick, Rosanne and Steve Martin, with Whoopi breaking the back of the audience via Skype.
Just don’t make it a staid, conservative, time limited, phony presentation like last year.
Here’s a left-field choice I’d love to see host the Oscars: KEVIN SPACEY. The man’s funny, can sing, does killer impressions and is as charming as hell.
I figured Mechanic was hired to produce in part for his ability to deliver Jackman, but it looks like that’s not the case.
What’s changed since Nikki’s original report on this is the Gervais hire for the Globes. The Academy is now FORCED to get a bigger and more “of the moment” name or risk being upstaged by NBC & HFPA.
A TV comedian like Jon Stewart probably won’t cut it this year (as superb as he was when he did it, his broadcasts got bad ratings). Billy Crystal would be a huge “get” but he might be a bit too “90’s” for the job. Billy is awesome but he is an older man now, too.
I love the idea of someone young-ish and female hosting — Anne Hathaway (really good in her bit at last year’s awards), Kristin Chenoweth, Amy Sedaris or Sarah Silverman.
Offbeat names I was thinking of include Christopher Guest, Hugh Laurie, Larry David, but whoever it winds up being, it’s gotta be a household name. Tina Fey would be the go-to choice and a great change of pace but 30 Rock’s production schedule makes that an impossible hire.
Dave Chappelle would be such an interesting choice because he’s done many movies, isn’t overexposed, and is a genuine Hollywood outsider who has earned the right to poke fun at the establishment. His stand-up is insanely good and he can do bits, sketches and songs. He also has a huge fan base dying to see any new stuff he puts out. He’s also presumably got a fan in Academy board member Tom Hanks — they played best friends in “You’ve Got Mail.”
Will Smith has no movie on the horizon and is a well-rounded entertainer beloved by middle america and Hollywood insiders. I’m sure he’s gotten a call.
Ricky Gervais.
Steven Colbert.
Everyone’s an expert… Ever try producing a high profile show that everyone loves to hate? I thought not…
Stephen fucking Colbert!!!!
Ricky Gervais
Nathan Lane
Tom Hanks
and yeah, Kevin Spacey would be good, too.
Plenty of good ones out there.
I thought the dance numbers last year were embarrassing and boring. I’d rather see more ‘behind the scenes’ stuff from the nominated films.
Some of the people suggested on these responses are TERRIBLE ideas:
* Stephen Colbert – Not appropriate
* Anne Hathaway – not fun on her own
* Dave Chappel – Not appropriate
* Sarah Silverman – Not appropriate
* Billy Crystal – too irrelevant (out of public eye too long)
* Ellen Degeneres – over exposed
* Beyonce, Lady Ga Ga, Shia Lebouf and James Earl Jones – not fun on their own, and a truly end is nigh idea
* Kristen chenowith – with that voice?
* David Spade, the D list chick (Kathy Griffin), Rosanne – Not appropriate
They should have jumped on Ricky Gervais, because he has been the best bit of any awards show he does. The comedians above have humor that clashes too much with the gravitas of the awards, this isn’t the comedy central awards. Ricky can say things that are sideswipes at Hollywood but not openly crass – and often its the delivery alone that makes it hilarious. Colbert’s character is too broad.
Best suggestions above:
* Hugh Laurie – hilarious (especially delivery) and respected
* Kevin Spacey – smooth, funny, and respected in film work
* Oprah – sometimes funny, but maybe her perosnality would bring a new friendly quality, also people love her
Part of me would be interested to see what Jack Black could do under guidelines because a lot of his laughs come from delivery and he doesn’t necessarily have to be crass. But he doesn’t have much weight.
I guess the bottom line is it has to be someone who won’t be a lightweight, and who can bring alot to whatever lame lines they are given by their own personality and ability deliver with a wink and a nod.
Hello?! Kevin Spacey anyone? Brilliantly funny, great with imitations. He can sing and dance. Academy WAKE UP….he’s the next Billy Crystal.
Ugh, it’s already obvious to everyone who’s anyone that the host this year is WILL SMITH. Aren’t you people plugged in?
I can’t believe anyone hasn’t mentioned the most obvious choice yet….
Neil Patrick Harris.