Who Should Host the 2012 Academy Awards?
Kudos to Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer for thinking out of the box with James Franco and Anne Hathaway, but a loss is a loss is a loss. It just didn't work. Don't take my word for it -- or anyone else's here at Movieline HQ: the ratings for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards were down 10 percent overall from the 2010 telecast, and 13 percent in the "hip, young-er" demo of under 50s that the Oscars were courting. What can be done to fix this mess for next year? It's never too early to start worrying about the Oscars, and so here are 13 people who should be considered for hosts in 2012.
Robert Downey Jr.
For reference, this is now two awards shows RDJ has stolen in 2011; he's a natural future Oscar host -- if "Oscar host" going forward means "charming and smart Hollywood star that everyone loves." The problem is that Downey is probably too smart to host. It's a thankless role, and you get the brunt of the blame when it goes horribly wrong. See: Hathaway and Franco.
Tina Fey
How has this not happened before? I feel even silly bringing Tina Fey up at this point, because she'd be so ideal to host that her name must have crossed Cohen and Mischer's lips at some point in the last year. Perhaps she just didn't want to do it alone? If so, feel free to slide Alec Baldwin, Steve Carell, Steve Martin or Jon Hamm in as her co-host.
Neil Patrick Harris
Another "Duh," as Charlie Sheen would say. Neil Patrick Harris is beloved, talented and totally classy. Most important, he can be funny without being mean. As we learned on Sunday night, being funny is an important part of the Oscar hosts' duties.
Billy Crystal and/or Whoopi Goldberg
Why not? Let Billy and Whoopi host separately or together. It doesn't really matter. At least then we'd get the expected, boring Borscht Belt humor, and not James Franco's preening eye rolls.
Jimmy Fallon
Don't be a hater: Fallon killed the Emmys as host. He's young, he's enthusiastic, and he delivers. The opening segment with Hathaway and Franco being "incepted" into the year's best moves was inspired, but it paled in comparison to the "Born to Run" opening from the 2010 Emmys. Tim Gunn was there! And Kate Gosselin. In Jimmy I trust. So should the Oscars.
Sandra Bullock
Let's consider her the female RDJ, but with a caveat: Bullock might be smart enough to host. After all, she's Telfon at this point -- even moreso than Downey -- and she's got that tough-but-sweet demeanor which will allow her to kid the assembled Hollywood royalty in ways that Hathaway and Franco probably weren't able to (or didn't want to).
Ricky Gervais
He can just read his fake monologue for Francaway and it'll be better than the entire 2011 broadcast.
Kathy Griffin
If the Hollywood community thought Gervais was too mean, they likely wouldn't warm to Kathy Griffin. Though, that just means she'll be free to participate in Movieline's 2012 Celebrity Oscar Predictions pool. Which is great for everyone.
Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman
Surprise! Hathaway was not good as host, but I'm prepared to lay that squarely at the feet of Franco. His total lack of interest threw Hathaway off, and forced her to overcompensate. A lot. She was at her most comfortable with Hugh Jackman, which isn't surprising since they also produced a winning Oscar moment in 2009. Pair them up, make it a musical party along the lines of Glee (but without the Ryan Murphy sheen of smarm), and just have fun. I would watch this.
Melissa Leo and Kirk Douglas
Unfortunately, if this happened, the Oscars would run for six hours.
No One
Think about it: The Grammys do it. Up until Ricky Gervais took over for the Hollywood Foreign Press in 2010 and 2011, the Golden Globes did it. Why not the Oscars? It would streamline the telecast, allow for the individual stars to be the stars and free the audience from potential stinkers like Sunday night. The closest thing to a "can't lose" the Academy can get.
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Comments
RDJ would be ideal - IF he was paired with a strong female co-host who could play "straight man" for him and occasionally drop a line that would burst his ego-bubble. Bullock, Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep would all work, but my personal choice -- since she's a fellow multiple-non-winner AND is used to dealing with an aging Lothario -- would be Annette Bening. Tell me that wouldn't work.
Kevin Spacey!! Why does no one else see this??
Greg Kinnear
Kevin Spacey
Robert Downey Jr.
BETTE MIDLER
I see Justin Timberlake being an excellent host someday, maybe not next year... but soon.
Sandra Bullock! She really surprised me. I would love to see her as a host.
Conan O' Brien
Billy Crystal should come back!
Kevin Spacey would be great!
Robin Williams would make the Oscars last more than 5 hours but it would be funny all the way! He could be the one who interrupts the long boring speeches instead of the music! That would be different!
NPH or Kevin Spacey.
DON RICKLES!!!!!!
Dennis Miller please....
Only Robert Downey Jr. can rock it...
My picks for hosts:
1. Charlie Sheen (Seriously doubt it, but a man can dream cant he)
2.Seth MacFarlane (Please, No Jokes about God)
3.Eddie Izzard (James Franco shouldve taken lessons from him)
4.Robert Downey, Jr. (He knows how to piss people off in the right way)
5.Will Smith (Bring back Jazzy Jeff, We miss the 90s)
4.
Definitely Sandra Bullock. just remember her last night performance. i ask just "where she was during all the show????"
HUGH JACKMAN!! The best ever. You can add Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, or someone else, but definitely Hugh.
CHARLIE SHEEN SHOULD HOST!
WINNING IS EVERYTHING!
LOUIS CK would be a great choice. The Globes have Ricky Gervais. So the Oscar's should get America's best stand-up comic.
Hugh Laurie. Perfect because he has that English humour and wit, and he can sing.
I love the idea of Ann Hathaway and Hugh Jackman together. I think she was a wonderful host, I just don't think she was given enough, or the right things to do.
I. too think it would be awesome to have Kevin Spacey host. He's awesome!!
Anne Hathaway was okay but James Franco was terrible. I think she should come back but they should pair her with Jake Gyllenhaal. He has personality and can be very funny; just check out his SNL on youtube.
The one and only Paul Rudd.I mean,he's perfect to host with his comic timing,facial expressions,and dry wit,plus he's the most likeable actor.He'd be gold for the host.
Kevin Spacey or Hugh Laurie. Or both!
---Robert Downey Jr. because everything he says is hilarious
---Johnny Depp because it would be outrageous
---Hugh Laurie just because
Patrick Warburton from Rules of Engagement and the pretzel m&m commercials.Love him!
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