It was revealed today that Eddie Murphy is stepping down as the host of the 84th Academy Awards, as well as Brett Ratner as his producer, leaving a gaping hole in the hosting duties.
So who could replace them? In case we have any sway with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, here are our five nominees for the place of Oscar host this year, or any other year for that matter.
The Muppets
Possibly the lead contenders for the position. With a strong history in the business of show, there has also been a massive push towards seeing our favourite entertainers take centre stage at the movie industry’s night of nights. There’s a dedicated Facebook and Twitter campaign to get Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo and the gang to take on hosting duties, and with their fabulous (yes, we’ve seen it) new movie The Muppets due out at the end of the month in the US, what better opportunity is there than this to start the music and light the lights.
The Muppets also have a strong history with the Oscars. Apart from a number of nominations over the years, including Best Song for “The Rainbow Connection”, The Muppets have appeared at several ceremonies. At the 1980 awards, Miss Piggy co-presented with Johnny Carson, devastated that she had not been nominated for Best Actress. When asking Carson if she was “Oscar material”, Carson replied “Oscar Mayer maybe.” Two years later, Piggy and Kermit performed “The First Time It Happens” on stage, and also made appearances at the 58th and 68th Academy Award ceremonies.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEnrHq03fvY
Ricky Gervais
The Office star Gervais has hosted the Golden Globes two years in a row, but not without controversy. His playful rib-tickling exposed an industry that takes itself way too seriously, and he is just the breath of fresh air that the Oscars would need to appeal to a younger audience in a way that Anne Hathaway and James Franco never could.
He may have to tone it down for the austere Oscars, but without Ratner and Murphy around, there will be certainly fewer strippers and blow involved in the ceremony. Maybe there’ll be more. Gervais told Access Hollywood that he’d be up for it if they offered it to him, saying he’d throw in the Globes as a bonus. He’s not been offered the latter but “I’ll do that as well,” he said. “I’ll be in town anyway for the Globes.”
(Photo Source: Guardian UK)
Conan O’Brien
Following his departure from a short-lived stint on NBC’s Tonight Show, TBS talk show host Conan O’Brien has become a cult figure to many. With legions of fans on Team Coco, O’Brien had hosted the Emmys back in 2006 to critical acclaim.
This is exactly the kind of host that the Oscars need to get them back on track again, and historically it has been comedians and talk show hosts who have given the best performances on the night. Or he could have just had enough of the networks at this stage. Then again, perhaps the documentary Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop will be up for a Oscar nomination in the feature documentary category.
Joel McHale
Another host with the most is Joel McHale, star of NBC’s Community and the E! Entertainment clips show The Soup. Already adept at spoofing and skewering the celebs and sacred cows of Hollywood, McHale is “so hot right now”.
In addition to hosting a number of media events, his background in standup comedy makes him at ease in front of a crowd, although he has undoubtedly made a few enemies in his time on The Soup. The odds are long on this one, but we will forgive every past awards ceremony if the Oscars see fit to put McHale front and centre. He could even introduce the Best Actress Oscar with the familiar catch-cry “Let’s talk chicks, man”.
Gary Busey
Suggested by The Reel Bits contributor Paul Ryan.
It’s Gary Busey. ‘Nuff said.
Who do you think should get the gig? Leave a comment in the field below!
