By now you’ve probably heard the reports that Hugh Jackman has turned down an offer to repeat as next year’s Academy Awards host. But is this really a big shock? Jackman won raves for his emceeing skills at this year’s telecast—why shouldn’t he quit while he’s on top? Plus, it’s not like he’s a host by trade and needs to further that image in people’s minds. He’s a movie star, so I’m sure he’d rather focus on his real career instead of taking on what must be one of the most stressful and financially thankless jobs around.
So who should producers Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic turn to now? One of Shankman’s Hairspray cast members like John Travolta or even (gasp!) Zac Efron? How about his Wedding Planner leading lady Jennifer Lopez? And don’t forget he worked with past Oscar host Steve Martin in Bringing Down the House. Shankman loves surprising people, so I doubt he’ll go for the obvious.
Who would you like to see put on the tuxedo next March? An actor or actress? A singer? Or a professional host? And remember, I’m also on Twitter (@davekarger) for all your Oscar needs.
Image credit: Michael Yarda/A.M.P.A.S.
Comments (1-30) of 222 Add your comment
NPH!
Yes, yes, 1000 times yes. I would actually watch it!
I get that Hugh is a big movie star – for NPH to be known as the go-to host for awards show would not be a bad career choice for him. And that guy’s awesome.
No contest! NPH all the way!
Do they even need to consider anyone else? NO! Offer him the job today!
Gotta turn to Doogie!!
Craig Ferguson!!!
friggin awesome choice.
Ditto!
NPH! Then perhaps Steve Carrell or Conan
NPH, obviously!! He is the perfect host – I can’t believe the author didn’t even mention him when it seems like he should be the most obvious choice.
Jason Alexander is a great funny man, singer, dancer or Sandra Bullock is one of the most under rated talents in TV & film today. She’s very funny too.
Bring back John Stewart! I liked him as a guest. But please, no Ellen or whoopi. I would never watch the oscars again if they started having people like zac efron host.
“Rave” reviews? He was fine, but Hugh was nothing special or memorable.
And hosting ONE year is not “going out on top”…
I think about half the people loved him which makes it a rave review, because usually the host is hated so much. I dont remember the last time a non Billy Crystal host got anywhere near the positive reviews Jackman got. And ONE year can be “going out on top” if Letterman hosted one year and is considered the bottom.
ricky gervais!
Agreed!
Gervais is hosting the Golden Globes!
NPH! NPH! NPH!
i know he’s hosting the gg’s…but he should host everything. always.
Conan O’Brien
Didnt he do it once and no one liked him? Or was that the emmy’s?
That was David Letterman (or Chris Rock, but I doubt you would confuse those two).
Conan did the emmys in 2006
I second Conan!! He KILLED both times he did the Emmy’s! He would rule!
Conan’s perfect for The Emmy’s but not a good fit for The Oscar’s. NPH or Gervais are much better fits!
Billy Crystal!!!
Yeah! Everybody knows he is the backup if nobody else is picked up.
Maybe Queen Latifah, she’s fine too!
Surprised? No. Happy? YES.
That’s too bad for the Academy. Jackman was terrific and most people loved him. I wonder who they’ll bring on this year’s show. I smell the numbers dropping…
Dwight Shrute!
Justin Timberlake. Even better than Jackman.
What a great idea!! I never thought of JT(as I call him…LOL)!! He is perfect…talented, funny, classy, good looking, appropriate, perfect!
no one is better than Hugh Jackman, I love his movies, my boyfriend looks like hugh
Imma let you finish but Hugh Jackman is the best Oscars host of the decade! JT is cute but no no, he can’t do the same job.
Alec Baldwin. Tina Fey. Alec Baldwin AND Tina Fey.
im not surprised that jackman is not hosting again, i liked him, but i would love to see neil patrick harris or alec baldwin host, both would be perfect.
I’m glad Jackman is not hosting. He was a little bland for my tastes. Bring on NPH, Ricky Gervais or……KATHY GRIFFIN!!!!
Hella Yes. NPH is a little too tame for me, but he could do it. Ricky Gervais would be the best choice if he wasn’t already doing the Golden Globes. But I have to say that Kathy Griffin would be the best m***** f****** host EVER!!!!!!!!!
Agreed with Kathy Griffin! Or Wanda Sykes. Or even Chelsea Handler. A woman would rock! Just no Billy Crystal. Puhleaze.
Craig Ferguson.
Oooh, Craig as Oscar host is an intriguing idea. I like it!
I love the idea of Craig.
Yes Please! That would be a good day for America!
Don’t you mean a GREAT day for America?!
YES!! I love Craig, he would be great.
KATHY GRIFFIN or CHELSEA HANDLER!!!
God no… not Kathy
I like both those ladies in small doses, but they’re too acerbic to host a 3 hour show. I don’t like all of my humor to be insulting.
Kathy has pissed off most of Hollywood. It’s not going to happen. She is lucky that she is getting booked for talk shows. Love her but there is no way she will ever host the Oscars.
Kathy would work. Chelsea Handler is a nobody.
I disagree and am very insulted. Chelsea Handler is certainly not a nobody, and is amazing all around.
If Billy Crystal (who was arguably the BEST. HOST. EVER.) won’t come back, then I agree with most people here and say get NPH!
Ze Frank
Ellen
Patton Oswalt
Ewan McGregor
Justin Timberlake
Flight of the Conchords
…would all be very cool. So, they’ll probably pick NPH.
Flight of the Conchords would be awesome. Or if they didn’t host, then at least bring ‘em on for a musical number. Their Lord of the Rings theme was hilarious and perfect. Just the right touch of fan adulation/reverence to go with the fun-poking.
Probably in the minority but I didn’t think NPH was that good as host of the Emmys. It started off funny but then got less and less funny as the night went on. He was just ok not hilarious like I thought he would be.
My first choice will always be Jon Stewart. Second would be NPH. But if we cannot have those two I would be interested to see what Wanda Sykes would do with it.
Aw man Wanda Sykes would be awesome I think. Good idea.
Stephen Colbert
Yes! I don’t care which one shows up…”pundit” or not.
He is a witty, quick thinker- and possesses wonderful improv skills
NPH Hat trick FTW!!!!
Say what you will about the questionable “quality” choice of using NPH but the guy clearly knows how to host an awards show. After single-handedly resusitating the Tonys and Emmys why SHOULDN’T the Oscars be next on his to-do list? The guy is a triple threat – he’s funny! he sings! he dances! Other past hosts have not quite gelled with the ceremony:
Chris Rock – too offensive to most, not edgy enough to his fans, demonstrated too much restraint
Steve Martin & Ellen- so-so performances, lukewarm at best,nothing to write home about.
Jon Stewart – I think too many industry folk thought he was too satirical for the crowd kind of like a bite the hand that feeds scenario.
NPH would be a great choice. He’s got the gay following, the fanbase from HIMYM, and everyone else who likes him from Harold & Kumar and Doogie Howser. Hosting an awards show is his BREAD & BUTTER! The man knows how to pull it off flawlessly!! And wouldn’t Shankman see NPH as someone kind of like himself?
someone else mentioned Flight of the Conchords. While perhaps the Oscars wouldn’t necessarily be the most relevant forum for them, they did cross my mind for the Emmys & Grammys! They would be a great choice for either!!!!
If those annoying fools host, I will be missing my first Oscars show in 30 years.
BRING BACK BILLY CRYSTAL!!!
From the dddeeeaaaddd!
Bring back Steve Martin! George Clooney would also work!
George Clooney, Brad Pitt AND Matt Damon. They could spend the whole show picking on each other and not offend a single person in the audience. And what better to follow the “Sexiest Man” but THREE “Sexiest Men”!
That would be awesome, george brad and matt all three together being sexy and hosting an awards show theve all either won at or been nominated in!
George and Matt could be nominees this year, so I don’t think that’ll happen.
Wow, George Clooney would be SO awesome. But he will likely get a nomination. I say (agreeing with other commenters) Ellen, Justin Timberlake, Stephen Colbert, or Steve Carell. I also liked the Tina Fey and Craig Ferguson ideas.
Richare Gere!
… really?
Bring NPH on board!!! Or at least get Wayne Brady! Either would make a great Oscars host! Conan O’Brien would be awesome too. And on the female side, I’d go for Wanda Sykes or Sarah Silverman. I wouldn’t mind Tina Fey either. I don’t like Billy Crystal – he bores me, and I dislike Kathy Griffin because she puts down pretty much everyone in her routines. That’s the last thing the actors want to hear from a host – the host making fun of them with sarcasm.
Adam Shankman is EVERYWHERE! Never heard of him three years ago but he’s clearly got his hand in all aspects of celebrity culture. Plus he’s a great guy! Why doesn’t he host it himself
Ricky Gervais is my #1 choice. Billy, even if he’s not hosting, should at least come back every year to do “It’s A Wonderful Night For Oscar!”, and, if they want to be really insane, have Martin Short strap on the old fat suit and let Jiminy Glick have at it!
NPH, Ricky Gervais or… how about Tina Fey/Amy Poehler co-hosting?