Oscar Host(s) Suggestions for 2012

 

Anne Hathaway and James Franco; we hardly knew ye.

After television critics unleashed a battery of sharp arrows at the two young entertainers for falling flat in last night’s Oscar telecast; chances are this adorable twosome won’t be invited back next year.

Though the show did attract younger viewers; overall, preliminary reports are that the show dipped seven percent compared with last year’s telecast.

Is it really that hard to settle on an Oscar host?  Why is ABC so obsessed with finding hosts that meet a certain demographic, like they’re preparing for a presidential primary?

Here’s a novel thought: Why doesn’t ABC put away the demographic charts, the social networking tools, the iphone apps; and just land hosts that can poke fun at Hollywood newsmakers, who will come to the theater armed with material that can make young and old alike laugh, entertainers experienced enough to let viewers forgot how old they are:  only that they have one thing in common; which is their love of movies and their longing to revel in the nostalgia of Hollywood.

It doesn’t seem like finding hosts to fit that criteria would be hard to find.

But just in case ABC finds themselves scratching their heads for next year’s host or hosts, here are some suggestions:

Top 10 Oscar Hosts for 2012

1.) Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt: If ABC is interested in bringing back glamour, entertainment and star power to the Oscar show-look no further.

2.) Nathan Lane: Why this ultimate song and dance man has never been asked to host the Big Show is beyond me.

3.) Tom Hanks:  This two-time Oscar recipient would be a natural to host.  You could pair him with any bosom buddy you like-the entire night would be a blast. Actually, Hanks was asked and agreed to get ready one year to fill in for an ailing Billy Crystal; but Crystal recovered in the nick of time.

4.) Tina Fey/Jimmy Fallon:  Another excellent choice, reuniting the former SNL Weekend Update hosts.  Who cares if they’re NBC products; so were Johnny Carson and Alec Baldwin.

5.) Kevin Spacey:  Often overlooked is that this superb Academy Award winning dramatic actor can showcase a smorgasbord of impersonations, including Johnny Carson, Jimmy Stewart, Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and a host of other show stopping impressions. It would be a shame for ABC to deny the television audience the talents of such a highly prized showman.

6.) Matt Damon and Ben Affleck:  This duo was hysterical on Oscar night after winning the statute for “Good Will Hunting’’ No reason why their unique banter wouldn’t work equally as well as hosts of the Oscar show.

7.) Will Smith: If ABC wants to tap into a younger demographic and still offer some real star power- this two-time Academy Award nominee, former rapper, and former star of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air might be just the ticket.

8.) Billy Crystal. Billy, just knock, and the door will always be open.

9.) Matthew Broderick and wife Sarah Jessica Parker:  Two words: That’s Entertainment!!!

10.)   Ron Howard and Rob Reiner: While these two have gone on to distinguish themselves as remarkable directors—to the television audience-they’re still Opie and Meathead. How could this engaging team possibly fail?

-Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com
February 28, 2011