Talkback: Who Should Replace Eddie Murphy as Host of the Academy Awards?
In case you haven't heard, the Oscars have entered a state of crisis -- or a state of freedom, if you prefer. Now that Eddie Murphy is out as host of this year's Academy Awards, let's vent as quickly as we can and think of the single best option for a replacement emcee.
Let's break our choices into categories. We need to make sure we cover all bases when addressing the importance of introducing the Best Sound Mixing category.
Dependable, obvious choices
5. Alec Baldwin
4. Stephen Colbert
3. Jon Stewart
2. Neil Patrick Harris
1. Tina Fey -- It's been years since a woman hosted, so why not invite the woman -- the undisputed comic champ of primetime. It's worth noting that Tina Fey gives the best award-show speeches on the planet. She deserves an entire ceremony in her honor.
Old-school charmers
5. Chevy Chase
4. Robin Williams
3. Steve Martin
2. David Letterman (You know you'd watch.)
1. Billy Crystal -- The time has come for his reemergence. He was fabulous during last year's Oscars when the audience wished James Franco would disappear alongside that Bob Hope hologram. We're in dire need of Comic Relief!
Heretofore untapped thespians
5. Joel McHale
4. Tom Hanks
3. Meryl Streep
2. Robert Downey Jr.
1. Sandra Bullock -- America's sweetheart is an award-show dynamo, powering through self-deprecating jokes like a regular Rodney Dangerfield. She and Downey had wonderful chemistry during a podium moment at last year's Oscars.
Nuttier options
5. Mr. Bean
4. Pee Wee Herman
3. Tyler Perry
2. The Muppets
1. Cloris Leachman and Betty White -- Leachman has an Oscar and White is an all-around living legend. Let's let these two feisty octogenarians jive onstage to big band jams!
Your turn. Wow me.
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Comments
Siri.
I actually vote for Siri because it's the one option that Eddie Murphy cannot dress up as. There's still a distinct possibility we're in for an Eddie-in-drag Oscars.
If we must go the drag route, I'm going to have to insist on your Tyler Perry suggestion.
Crystal, if he's willing to help them out (and don't think his voicemail isn't clogging with sobs and pleas as we speak), is the obvious go-to - especially with a shorter lead time. Personally I thought his appearance last year was a dastardly act (not on his part) - with two first-time hosts, he was always going to be celebrated at their expense. Maybe justifiably so, but I hope this year's new producer isn't so willing to throw the talent under a bus.
Bill Murray... Steve Coogan... Oprah
I'm trying to remember which dimension I visited in which Chevy Chase was a "charmer."
MA-DE-A!! MA-DE-A!! MA-DE-A!!
I think Louis CK would be pretty epic. Gervais would look like Mickey Mouse compared to what Louis is capable of.
Crystal is looking a bit too much like my Jewish bubby these days. I vote Tina Fey! Or Tina along with Amy Poehler. Would be great.
Or, the ass from that movie, ASS.
Steve Martin. No one else comes close.
Mo'Nique
Chris Tucker.
Robert Downey Jr. MUST host at least once soon.
James Franco's ass?
Not for nothing, but both Neil Patrick Harris and Conan O'Brien have hosted awards shows that people enjoyed watching.
Fry & Laurie... or just Laurie.
Melissa McCarthy
Or Noomi Rapace in character
touchee...
Albert Brooks. He would be the most uncomfortable host ever (which is why he would never do it) but I would love to see it.
HA
Brilliant! I love that Howard found a side career as Earl Hamner on acid.
And halfway through the show, Brooks suffers a case of flop sweat and is dropped through a trap door, and William Hurt takes over.
I wept like an exasperated Jane Craig at this comment.
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