Variety’s Michael Fleming has the news:
While speculation is running high on who’ll host the Oscars, one name that can be crossed off the list is Hugh Jackman… The thesp, who’s starring on Broadway with Daniel Craig in the drama “A Steady Rain,” quietly turned down the job within the past few weeks, sources said.
Jackman drew praise for his first Oscar hosting gig in February under producer Laurence Mark and exec producer Bill Condon. He may take on hosting duties again in the future, but it’s understood that he didn’t want to do the show two years in a row.
I’m glad. The Globes orchestrated a well-played cock-block by announcing Ricky Gervais as next year’s host. The HFPA are coming on strong with newness and coolness — and increasingly impeccable rosters of nominees. To maintain their preeminent Big Event prestige, the Oscars need to do more give us a repeat. They can’t recycle last year’s tricks. I don’t know who AMPAS will come up with, but if they’re forced to try to find someone hipper than Gervais and more suave than Jackman, then I’m happy the bar has been raised to make them jump higher.
79 Responses for "Hugh and Cry: Scratch Jackman as Oscar host"
What about Russell Brand to host the oscars? People.com has a poll and he’s on the list.
It’s time for Justin Timberlake!
I think they should get Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.
Since Adam Shankman has promised to develop and expand the musical format introduced last year, it worries me a little that somebody as talented, charming, and suave as Jackman won’t be hosting.
The host this year obviously has to have some musical talent. Steve Martin is still a possibility, as he has been in musicals like “Little Shop of Horrors” in the past. Richard Gere or John Travolta could be good (although Gere’s involvement in the critically panned “Amelia” could disqualify him). I’d even consider Will Smith as a possibility. Sure, I don’t consider rap to be real music, but he is talented at it and he certainly has charm. KilShakespeare’s suggestion for Justin Timberlake is also quite good. He’s been acclaimed as an awards show host in the past, and it might get him some free publicity for “The Social Network”.
I guess we can rest assured that whomever the Academy chooses this year, it will be a suprise. Also, it must be said that Jackman hasn’t ruled out coming back altogether; he just doesn’t want to host two years in a row. He might pull a Jon Stewart and come back for the 2011 Oscars.
I’m relieved. Nothing against Jackman, but he wasn’t a good fit.
Jack Black would work.
Will Ferrell would work.
Throw in Bette Midler with someone and that would work.
CONAN, CONAN, CONAN, CONAN, CONAN, CONAN, CONAN, CONAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get Conan O’Brien, pleasssseeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No more Broadway actors or singers!!!!!! I’ve suffered enough
Bring in a comedian or a late night show host
OR
GEORGE LOPEZ!!!!!
kevin spacey or steve martin and id actually enjoy the show
@Niles:
Wait… you’re saying an ACTOR shouldn’t host the OSCARS!?
You realize Jon Stewart, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal, Chris Rock, and Robin Williams are all actors in addition to their comedy work, right?
I wanted Jackman! Damn it! No way I’m watching the Oscars this year! I feel bad for the guy who’ll host. He really has some big shoes to fill…
Somewhere, Kevin Spacey has his phone with him and hopes for a call that hopefully comes
. I’d so support Spacey as host. Or Steve Martin.
Solly, that would be at 5:00 am, while “walking his dog” in Hyde Park, right?
“Bring in a comedian or a late night show host”
Gotta love your forward thinking there.
Seriously. I’m tired of the “middle-aged white male comedian as host.” Let’s mix it up a bit please.
Timberlake would ruin it. And he’s no actor after all.
I’d say Neil Patrick Harris or Steve Martin.
They could have Billy, but then they’ll need half an hour for the best picture songs.
The host is secondary to the awards, in my opinion, but if they pick Russell Brand, I’ll just read about the winners on here after the show and look up speeches on YouTube.
I think Spielberg, Scorcese, Coppola, Tarantino and Cameron should host.
They are never going to give up on having the host tell jokes. Hugh Jackman was not funny, because he can’t write his own material and didn’t have the clout to nix some of the clunkers that rolled up on the teleprompter. That’s why I think we need a host with a natural sense of humor — somebody who has veto power over Bruce Vilanch. My dream team, like a lot the rest of you have suggested: Tine Fey and Steve Martin.
Here’s somebody different I just thought of:
Samuel L. Jackson.
He demonstrated musical talent in “Black Snake Moan”, is charismatic and charming, and most certainly has the hipness value.
He also has hosted awards ceremonies in the past. Hell, if he’s announced as the Oscar host, it might even get a distributor for that movie “Mother and Child”.
“I think they should get Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.”
Epic. I’d be on board for that.
I would go with Martin with Fey, a late night host like Conan or Leno, or a song and dance man. If I wanted to make this the biggest entertainment show though, I’d go for it all and try and get either Will Smith or George Clooney and pair him up with a comedian. Think about the possibilities. Hollywood cool, pizzaz, style, and suaveness, all rolled into one. Then have a comedian feed off that. It would make for excellent sketches and numbers.
At least have his name right! It´s JACKMAN, for god´s sake! Can´t you people read? Or write? Geez. How can you call yourselves serious site when you are making such a big mistake?
And I am sorry he isn´t hosting. I don´t think I will be watching if they will slip back to the boring 7-minutes pointless monlogue. And big NO to NPH. That guy isn´t a star enough to do that. Hosting Emmys or Tonys is a very different thing than the Oscars.
Ryan Adams – 16: Jackman is naturally funny guy. A very funny guy. It was his first time hosting and he didn´t want any mistakes. Have you seen 2004 Tony Awards? He was funny and able to improvise. I hope he will host in the future.
I loves me some Scratch Jackson. He’s always been my choice. Go, Scratches!
Sorry Hugh won’t be doing it. How about Tina Fey . Plus bring back some of the legends to give out awards.
Dear Lauren Bacall, Gordon Willis and Roger Corman… hey, sorry you didn’t get your award tonight, but here’s your chance to hand out Oscars to other people.
I still say the natural choice if AMPAS wants ratings is Will Smith. If you want hip AND suave, he’s your choice.
… plus, Big Willie can sing and dance.
WHAT A RELIEF!!! It would be great to see Steve Martin or Ellen Degeneres up there again.
My top picks:
1. Steve Martin
2. Will Smith
3. Samuel L. Jackson
4. Justin Timberlake
5. John Travolta
6. Richard Gere
Conan O’Brien is and always will be my top pick (he’s a comic genius AND he sings and dances!)
After that:
Steve Martin and Tina Fey
Jack Black and Will Ferrell
Colbert Nation awaits its invitation.
@ Ryan Adams – please fix the name of the post
How about George Clooney? He’s the King of Hollywood, will probably be nominated (nominated hosts are not unusual with the Emmys), is witty, charming, cool, and, might even be able to sing a few bars if pushed.
Clooney could be good. He was considered for the part of Guido in “Nine”, so singing shouldn’t be a problem (I can’t see Rob Marshall considering a nonsinger for the lead in one of his movies).
For the people recommending Conan… it might just be personal preference, but I don’t really see the guy as being charismatic or charming enough for the Oscars. He’s good at late-night comedy, but the Oscars are a whole new story.
Crazy-making picks – Sarah Silverman, Triumph the Insult Dog, JK Rowling
Real picks – Will Smith, John Travolta
@Kevin
Yes I understand there actors, and I understand they are also comedians as well, what I meant was I don’t think we should have BROADWAY actors hosting the show, its bogus. I think they should bring in one of those following gentleman you have mention to me. The Academy Awards is turning into a circus, there needs to be some sort of change, instead of the old boring three hour show they always do every year.
I really don’t think there should be 10 nominees, I mean you might as well be the golden globes, because there practically doing the same thing of what the Globes are doing though the difference is, is that the golden globes have different categories. One of theses years the Academy Awards is going to be like the Emmys or even the Grammys. Ehhhh, that would be terrible, if they ever do that in the future, I won’t ever watch an academy award show again, lammeee. The academy awards should be about surprise, not “Oh that movie is going to win, lets not watch the Academy Awards” or “Oh the movie sucks, its not going to get nominated”. I mean I think people realize the difference between a crappy movie and a really good movie. I really don’t think there should be critics either, because critics really ruin the hype of things, they ruin the surprise. I don’t think anyone cares what someone thinks of a film, let me have my own thought about it. I mean seriously, GET RID OF THE CRITIC!!!!!! They need to go back to that 5 nominations routine, seriously, bring it back!!!! All you have to do is get a better host, and you have a great show!!!
@Niles:
Many highly respected film actors made their debut on stage, and most have said that performing on Broadway is a dream for them, so I don’t get where the broadway hate comes from. It’s highly respected in the movies. I’m betting your problem is more with the “musical” part than the “broadway” part. Am I correct?
Also, critics are important, because the moviegoing public, in many cases, turn out to be idiots. How else would you know not to go to certain turkeys like “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” that are well-marketed, with impressive trailers and the like? I mean, there are already enough people who think that a large box office intake means a movie has to be good; if critics are gone, what other indication would we have?
I’m not saying all critics are good (Bad ones include Ben Lyons, Colin Covert, those morons from the Rottentomatoes show, etc.), but they ARE important.
It would be great if they could get Craig Ferguson. He probably isn’t as famous as the other choices, but he’s hilarious.
Tina Fey & Steve Martin would be amazing.
Is there any chance of that or is it just a dream?
Okay, why do we need a full-time host? Just select someone for a nice intro, and then create good pairs to hand out the awards. That’s where most of the better humor comes from any way.
fastest way to turn the Oscars into a bigger joke is to have timberlake host. this isnt the mtv movie awards.
@Amanda
If you consider the Oscars to be a joke, what are you doing on an Oscar watchdog site?
Always. ALWAYS Stephen Fry.
Check out the link they have Neil Patrck Harris as the number one contender to host the Oscars!
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20315605,00.HTML
Check out the link they have Neil Patrck Harris as the number one contender to host the Oscars!
My top 5 choices:
1. Conan O’Brien! – He would be perfect
2. Neil Patrick Harris!
3. Stephen Colbert!
4. Bill Maher!
5. Craig Ferguson!
No Russell Brand. Don’t think he’s entertaining at all.
I don’t want anyone snarky. There is a time and a place for snark and I don’t think the Oscars is it. I never liked Stewart as a host because I don’t think he actually likes the Oscars. He seemed to think the whole thing was a joke. I wasn’t blown away with Jackman but at least he was the right type.
As for people like Russell Brand. I love the guy. Paid to see him live. He’s not the right guy yet. Keep the newer guys away for now.
Conan is okay. My main choice would be NPH. Kevin Spacey while an actor is still snarky and not even good at it. I’ll take Steve Martin again. I actually enjoyed his last effort. Who else?I liked the suggestion previously of Eddie Izzard. But I’m almost thinking what about the Python guys? They’ve just made a comeback of sorts.
Did Jack Nicholson ever host? I think it’d be cool if there was someone like that who knows everyone in the room. I guess SLJ fits that bill too. I think they’ve got plenty of people to choose from and they could think out of the box.
Johnny Depp
Steve Martin!
Robert Downey Jr.
Russell Brand??? Are you people serious??? I still have a headache from listening to him scream his way through his hosting duties at the VMA’s.
For a decent ratings boost, I would suggest:
- Seth McFarlane
- Norm MacDonald
- Denis Leary
- Tracy Morgan and Kathy Griffin
Hell, I know I’d watch any of those, no matter what. On a slightly more serious note, I love Izzard and Ferguson, but son’t see them as a good ‘fit’ (they rely too much on improv, and are not big glamour show types). Colbert is not inclusive enough to draw enough viewers to his act and Maher is too polarizing. NPH and O’Brien have proven they are more than up to it with their Emmy performances.
Personally, I would love any combination of the following:
- Hugh Laurie
- Emma Thompson
- Stephen Fry
STEVE MARTIN!
Bette
Steve Martin
Bette and Steve
Tom Hanks
Tom Cruise (make it a little kooky)
Kathy Griffin (they don’t have the balls)
Travolta
Whoopi
Kathy Bates
Jack
Tina Fey & Steve Martin, that’s the solution.
Fey/Martin ‘09!
@Kevin: Because it’s possible to be aware of the absurdity of the Oscars and still enjoy it. Same thing with sports and fashion.
how about tina fey or alec baldwin. way out there would be the monty python group back together to host. it would guarantee laughs.
Some blog is saying that a good source told them NPH is a lock. If this is true, then I believe he’ll be the first to host the Emmys, Tonys, and Oscars within a year. Crazy.
I’d love to see NPH or Martin/Fey.
Dr. Stephen Colbert DFA
Robert Downey Jr. You heard it here first.
My personal favourite would be Bill Nighy. Patton Oswalt would be interesting.
Tina Fey ftw!
1. Tina Fey
2. NPH
3. Dustin Lance Black
4. Levi Johnston ( just to piss off PALIN HA HA HA; kidding!!! )
5. Steve Martin
serious though on 1, 2, 3 and 5. comic relief on 4 ( too much cold medicine tonight )
It would be great if they could get somebody with class to host the Oscars. Somebody with prestige, talent and comedic timing who also has a history with the awards.
I am thinking that there would be no better choice than Kate Winslet, star of Titanic.
I didn’t go through all 57 of these entries but what about this: Colbert, Stewart, Conan O’Brien. A tie-in back to that (joke) rivalry from last year. They have great chemistry together. Yeah, Stewart has done it before but mixes all three would be excellent.
@ Kevin
Kevin, this is a business, you think anyone cares about Art form? Some people might, to others not really. They want to get entertained, so there going to pay for that entertainment.
I’ve got nothing against Broadway or its Musicals. I just don’t like how the oscars are protrayed. I think its a joke. Every year its over the top. It shouldn’t be even three and half hours long. Who wants to sit through that? I rather watch the first Lord of the Rings movie then that. I think they should just whip through the show, cut the bull shit, and just hand out the winners. Why does it have to be this way and that way? Why can’t it be something thats just simple? Instead of trying to prove something to people? I mean the Golden Globes are simple, the DGA’s are simple, why can’t the Academy Awards be simple?
I love Jackman. he`s funny and multi-talented but the show`s script failed him. The number with Beyonce could`ve been the one for ages.Instead, we got that outdated atrocity. I mean, how the heck you screw up a musical number with 2 of the hottest people on the planet?
I can understand why he turned it down. No creative freedom but blame for low ratings.
As for the host, no clue, really. I like suggestions of Tina Fey, Will Smith (didn`t they buzz about that he would make a great host after his presenting an award?), RDJ, NPH. Dunno, Chris Pine strikes me as someone who could do an awesome job if he`s anything like captain Kirk in real life. Pitt and Clooney? They are funny and have great chemistry together. Oh, well, whoever.
CHRISTOPHER WALKEN!
He has wit, charm, crazy comic timing, and he’s an awesome dancer.
Also, a former Oscar winner.
But if I must choose from the mainstream, I’d be fine with Martin (with or without Fey), Will Smith, or even Kevin Spacey.
Tom Hanks?
A duo is a terrible idea. Seriously, when has that ever worked? Besides, Tina Fey is awesome but her comedy is too much about herself. Steve Martin or NPH are pretty safe choices. Of the people mentioned here, I think Will Smith or Robert Downey Junior would be best. Or Meryl Streep… she can do funny, right?
Tom Hanks. Oscar winner, huge star internationally, etc etc. I really think he’d be the best person for the job if they a) want ratings and b) want someone who could do it well.
Whoever gets the job has to overcome the terrible done-to-death boring concept of awards shows. Tough call.
Two words: Gary Busey.
Two words: Gary Busey.
I think we have a winner.
Could you imagine? I just did and it would be the most entertaining 3 1/2 hours ever. ROFLMAO
Roman Polanski live via video conference.
Now that we’re all agreed on Gary Busey to host, how about John & Edward to sing the Best Song medley?
I’m with Vagabond. I LOVE the Chris Walken idea!
Tina Fey and Steve Martin definitely. They small presenting gig was the funniest moment last Oscar.
I can’t believe how many people like Tina Fey. I don’t think she’s very funny. And even if she were, her brand of “funny” is exactly the kind of snark I think we could do without.
Am I the only one that thinks snark past it’s prime? I think it’s time to actually like things and celebrate them. Being too cool for school is just so silly and tedious now. It’s so easy and maybe even lazy to just mock things. Amicable ribbing is one thing but I dunno, acting like everything is stupid is so 90s/early millenium.
Maybe Sean Hayes….But he´s too acid, too sarcastic and too gay for the academy.
How about Eddie Izzard? I think he would do great at it.
Hugh Jackman is overrated I’m sorry. Bye bye Hugh, don’t slam the door on your way out.
Leave a reply
All comments should respect the Awards Daily House Rules. If you think a particular comment breaks these rules then please let us know, quoting the comment in question.