FTA:

Many who might appear perfect to host have sidestepped the job. Oprah Winfrey. Justin Timberlake. Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Jerry Seinfeld. You name them: The more exciting they are, the more likely they are to say no. Even Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who dazzled at the Golden Globes in 2013, 2014 and 2015, have reportedly passed on the Oscar job. Dwayne Johnson has been mentioned as a Golden Globes host rather than one for the Academy Awards. As to other strong candidates like Stephen Colbert and James Corden, it's unlikely ABC will agree to a rival network superstar being front and center at its biggest awards show.

So who's right for the job? Kevin Hart is funny without being tasteless; Sarah Silverman is tasteless without always being funny. Tiffany Haddish? Academy toppers quivered with rage when she mispronounced names at last January's nominees' announcement. Samantha Bee, Bill Maher, John Oliver -- each could be incendiary in an era when the tiniest ember can set off a fire, which petrifies the Academy leadership.

And there's the rub: The Academy wants to play safe in an era that rewards risk. It's time the Academy embraced controversy instead of steering away from it.

#2

That is exactly what they are trying to avoid, but I get what you are saying. They have had steadily declining ratings and several studies commissioned by the Academy have reported that "over politicization" of the show is a major contributor to the decline, so while the live audience would be ecstatic over such a pronouncement, the Academy fears that would be ratings kryptonite.

If they have someone like Roseann, Clint or Kid Rock they risk having no one show at the theatre.

0% chance of that happening, even if it was John Voight or Gary Sinise it would be standing room only.

I know hundreds who wouldn't want to do it.

But were they actually offered it? It used to be THE plumb award show job, and you get paid a couple hundred grand for about a weeks work.

That being said, today's rumor mill said that Kevin Hart was meeting at the Academy about hosting, I think he would do a really good job if he takes it.

That's funny, I just got an alert that Kevin Hart, 4 minutes ago, announced he is hosting the Academy Awards.

Good for him, its a tough gig but I think he could crush it.

Ahhh, found it: Outstanding Popular Film

There was a huge backlash on that category and they dropped it.