Why Oscar Host Has Become the Least Wanted Job in Hollywood | Drudge Retort

Tuesday, December 04, 2018

Why Oscar Host Has Become the Least Wanted Job in Hollywood

With the 91st Academy Awards less than three months away, producer Donna Gigliotti has yet to line up an emcee, but don't blame her --  it's a gig that almost no one should want. Take a look at the performers who've embraced show business' most perilous assignment, and the failure rate is enough to give even that rock climber vertigo. Ever since Billy Crystal passed the baton in 2004, the Academy has struggled to find the right anchor, and nobody has been willing to run the gantlet more than twice. Among the two-timers: Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres, Hugh Jackman, Chris Rock and Jon Stewart -- most of whom have vowed never to do it again (though "never" has a certain elasticity in Hollywood).

The need to win over so many constituents has put off some of the best candidates, who see little upside in taking on a job that pays only low six figures but requires weeks of work; that usually results in a media flaying; and that does little to boost the host's profile.

Posted by Rightocenter at 12:57 PM | 18 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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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.

I have two clients who turned this down, and I hear that the Academy is starting to panic. As the article notes, maybe that is a good thing in that they might be willing to take risks that normally would be anathema to their flagship production.

#1 | Posted by Rightocenter at 2018-12-04 01:00 PM | Reply

De Niro is a natural fit. All he has to do is say ---- Trump and the nominees are--- and he'll get a standing O each time. He'd probably do it for free.

#2 | Posted by sunuvavitch at 2018-12-04 02:00 PM | Reply

Filtered before posted, that's new.

#3 | Posted by sunuvavitch at 2018-12-04 02:02 PM | Reply

Can 'F Trump' be used?

#4 | Posted by sunuvavitch at 2018-12-04 02:02 PM | Reply

#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.

#5 | Posted by Rightocenter at 2018-12-04 02:11 PM | Reply

So if they don't say it, we won't know they're thinking it. How crafty of them.
I can see where their problem is. If they have someone like Roseann, Clint or Kid Rock they risk having no one show at the theatre.

#6 | Posted by sunuvavitch at 2018-12-04 02:46 PM | Reply

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.

#7 | Posted by Rightocenter at 2018-12-04 03:30 PM | Reply

I have two clients who turned this down
I know hundreds who wouldn't want to do it.

#8 | Posted by woe_is_W at 2018-12-04 08:39 PM | Reply

These types of awards crclejrks are horribly boring. No easy answers to what can solve that issue.

#9 | Posted by GOnoles92 at 2018-12-04 09:24 PM | Reply

"These types of awards crclejrks are horribly boring"

You've got to watch the right ones.

The Academy Awards are always horribly boring, because that's not what they do. Instead, everyone involved seems to be waiting for someone to yell "CUT!".

People's Choice-type award shows are just backslapping, ad nauseam.

But the Tonys, Grammys, and CMAs of the world are riveting, entertaining live shows. And why not? They do it every day.

#10 | Posted by Danforth at 2018-12-04 09:31 PM | Reply

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.

#11 | Posted by Rightocenter at 2018-12-04 09:46 PM | Reply

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.

#12 | Posted by Rightocenter at 2018-12-04 09:48 PM | Reply

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,

It's more due to the over saturation of award shows on television coupled with the fact people seem to think the academy awards were created to award awful movies that do well in the box office. Rather than outstanding performances by actors, directors, writers, and everyone else involved.

This year. Due to overwhelming pressure. Expect The Black Panther to win a bunch of awards or risk being called a racist show.

#13 | Posted by ClownShack at 2018-12-04 09:50 PM | Reply

"Expect The Black Panther to win a bunch of awards or risk being called a racist show."

IIRC, they have a new award for that: something like Best Achievement in Box Office.

(NOT the actual name, but the actual point.)

Ahhh, found it: Outstanding Popular Film

#14 | Posted by Danforth at 2018-12-04 10:01 PM | Reply

Outstanding Popular Film

They already have a show to reward "Outstanding Popular Films".

It's called the MTV movie awards.

It's for all the cool people who watch cool movies.

I wonder if Black Panther or Avengers: Infinity War will win best movie of the year!?

#15 | Posted by ClownShack at 2018-12-04 10:43 PM | Reply

Ahhh, found it: Outstanding Popular Film

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

#16 | Posted by Rightocenter at 2018-12-04 11:00 PM | Reply

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

Dang. We could've had this year's Phantom Menace.

#17 | Posted by Danforth at 2018-12-04 11:06 PM | Reply

Oscar's no longer have any credibility.

#18 | Posted by fresno500 at 2018-12-06 09:54 AM | Reply

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