By Littlebells
In the wake of Bret Ratner’s resignation of producer to the show and Eddie Murphy’s departure as host, The Academy has less than three months to find a replacement host. Since the news was released, suggestions for past hosts– such as Jon Stewart and Steve Martin– and first timers like Tina Fey and and Neil Patrick Harris have been circulating the web.[1] There has also been talk about getting the Muppets (film debut this Thanksgiving), Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake, and Billy Crystal.
It seems in Academy Award Host history, those that have been the most successful have been well liked, even loved, by the majority of viewers. Bob Hope, an American comedienne icon, hosted the awards show 19 times, 7 of which were shared with other hosts. Billy Crystal, most famously known for When Harry Met Sally and City Slickers, has hosted a total of 8 times. Johnny Carson, who had a great relationship with those he interviewed hosted 5 times. [2] It seems that not only do these men share a tremendous talent in comedy, but have a large likeability factor covering a large demographic.
Fortunately we get one of these great men again. Billy Crystal will be hosting the 84th Annual Academy Awards and it seems everyone is thrilled. Crystal is known for incorporating himself into a movie montage of all the films that are nominated for Best Picture. Here are some of his best moments:
64th Annual Awards Introduction
Click here to watch
69th Annual Awards Film Montage
76th Awards Montage
I don’t think we will be disappointed.
Please join us for a open discussion begining Monday, 11/14/2011 ending Wednesday, 11/16/2011.
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
These kinds of things are always difficult evaluate yet, wow, I think none of the (audience based) actor couples of the 69th show are still together. Maybe this isn’t a surprise.
Every entertaining, and thanks for the show review and history. I agree maybe the show will be fine.
The Academy tried with young hosts, Franco and Hathaway, but it bombed. I think Crystal’s humor reaches more people and his isn’t rude or nasty.
Yes it was funny to see the audience back.then! Hahahahaha! The hair! I think Benning and Beatty are still together.
What award shows have you liked most? Why do you think they were successful?
I said “I think.” It wasn’t a rigourous survey. ……I knew I looked away once.
LB,
I really enjoyed Ricky Gervais almost roast like hosting of the Globes ceremony. People said he ended his career but after the ratings came in it was clear he did just the opposite.
Since it’s all but assured that Ricky Gervais will host the 2012 Golden Globes, what was learned considering all of the controversy last year and how does that reflect on the Oscars?
Contrary to the video, there was other good material in the show.
LB,
Being that Brett Ratner resigned because of his own homophobic slur; should we assure that any gay humor (from Crystal) will likely be considered unwelcome by the Academy?
LB,
Since Crystal is taking what was supposed to be Eddie Murphy’s hosting gig; Ew.com claims that “Murphy gave no clear reasons for his decision.”
Why do you believe Eddie resigned, and what reasons to you suspect he now found the gig undesirable?
Great question, let me go do a little research!
Mmm, I think Crystal wouldn’t attempt humor at gay humor unless he knew that it wouldn’t be offensive. I think he is more classy than that and I’m sure the Academy will make sure of things not to “touch on” during monologues. Maybe??? I honestly don’t know!!! HAHAHA! 🙂
LB,
I think your instinct on this one is likely dead on. Unlike comedians like Robin Williams who is prone to stream of consciousness monologues, Crystal to me seems way more deliberate in his joke development. I don’t believe he’s likely to find a risk offending anyone by being impulsive or rash.
I agree even in his Oscar nominee skits are so fashioned for SPECIFIC kinds of humor, he’s probably in the clear. This isn’t a year of “The Crying game”, “Capote”, or “A Single Man.” I don’t believe any of the film nominees even address gay topics this time so he isn’t nearly as likely to find himself in controversial territory.
I love Ricky Gervais as well. I believe if you don’t like someone, turn the channel. If people can’t handle the truth done in a joking way and the joke isn’t making fun of someone’s personal lifestyle/beliefs then it’s ok. His roasts were about ethics, if I remember correctly.
I think, THINK, that quite possibly regardless of what audience members may think, it’s the people at home watching the award shows that are the most important. If I’m not enjoying an awards show, for whatever reason, I’m going to turn it off. Get enough people who don’t enjoy it, that’s a lot of viewers the show is losing. I think the average Joe enjoyed watching HW get busted. IMO.
I’m not sure how this will affect the Oscars, but I think we’ve learned that if the host is well liked, everything is fair game, and as long as jokes are delivered in an honest yet funny way, the “Big Cheeses” need to chill out. If you don’t want to get made fun of, don’t get caught with your pants down. 😉
LB,
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
You crack me up.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
(I wonder how many in attendance actually enjoyed him, but were afraid to laugh too much because of peer pressure…)
LB,
Good question, they all looked really embarrassed.
Back to the Oscars, after the bad experience most of us experienced with non-comedians Anne Hathaway and James Franco last year, I guess you don’t think approaches to the Oscars needs to be rethought yet. I wouldn’t have been surprised if you thought they needed the Gervais facelift or treatment as well.
You were so thorough I have the impression that you think Oscar has its own internal manner of resolving its problems. I think you also did a good job of illustrating why Billy Crystal is the current answer.
I think Open book did the article last year regarding the Golden Globes, but do you think the Oscars in any way has any of the cronyism, nepotism, or award buying that was associated with the globes last year?
Love it CR!!
Thanks.
Great montage LB!!! I’m happy for Crystal. He’s been gone too long. I’m trying to think of my favorite Oscars? Let me come back.
Here’s one LB!!
Here’s another one.
What can I say it’s a women thing. No! I’m not biased at all.
Oh OB!
Those are great clips and I loved Whoopi and Ellen as well. Then again I think they reach a very broad audience and are well like by the majority of viewers. I just have to say this because we are talking about Ellen: I’m really proud of how far she has come in the industry. She has stayed true to herself and if others could follow in that way of living, I think there would be more success in the world. Kind of goes back to the Hollywood Beauty articles in that everyone should just be their honest selves. She is so funny and I’m so happy she has done so well.
CR,
I have not forgotten your Eddie Murphy question. I got sucked into the BD premiere abyss.
Everyone,
Why do you think those like David Letterman, Chris Rock (perhaps) and last year’s hosts, Franco and Hathaway, were not successful? What makes a great host?
LB,
Since this show is a one-time event, I think you have an exceptional job of illustrating why some talk show hosts might be a good option some years versus others. Yet, OB I thought Whoopi and Ellen was inspired casting that year.
In Billy Crystal, I think you’ve done an excellent job of illustrating what an excellent Oscar host should be also.
Last year, Melissa Leo set off a mini-controversy, by choosing to launch a self-promotional campaign prior to the awards ceremony. Why do you believe this ceremony attracts interest in this kind of actor scrutiny?
http://www.goldderby.com/films/news/1110/melissa-leo-ignites-firestorm-of-controversy.html
LB,
Sorry I meant in PRIOR years referring to Whoppi and Ellen.
LB,
Speaking of the earlier Eddie Murphy question again….. Not that we haven’t all matured, now that we’ve addressed one problem and may have dodged another; I guess it’s better that we don’t have to ask questions about the possibility of repeat performance of Eddie Murphy’s 1983 Delirious tour.
After all that was a really long time ago. Our ideas about funny aren’t what they used to be. I would still like to see Murphy do it in the future.
Though personal opinions may not have changed, do you think the public’s reception toward gay humour from the stright community has changed?
Sorry “straight” community
CR,
Great questions and comments! While I work on some responses, I thought you might like to take a look at this:
http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/02/26/with-no-avatar-expect-academy-awards-viewership-to-fall-ratings-history-your-guess-for-this-year-poll/83754/
Very interesting seeing the numbers. It made me wonder: Does the calibur and personality of a host make a difference if movies that are nominated are less than exciting, dates and show times change, or their are entertainments strikes of any kind occuring at the time?
Lurker,
Can you help me understand what the numbers under shares mean more specifically? What do these numbers tell you?
I missed having our usual discussion. 😦
Ok, so after doing some research, and if Ratner did indeed make that gay slur (not doubting) and did say those gross things on Howard Stern after (digging a hole buddy), then I’m glad he’s gone. Just because you do or think those things doesn’t mean you should be saying them.
I’m glad Eddie is gone as well because I don’t think he’s funny. He was great back in the day and then it just went south. I don’t know how wide Murphy’s fan base is, but I think he would have had to really work hard to make sure the Oscar’s were a success.
I believe in freedom of speech, but there’s knowing when to speak and when to keep your mouth shut.
Shoot, did that answer any of your questions CR? Hahaha!!! 🙂