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UPDATE: Anne Thompson has now posted this story (which she’s been working on a while) in full with — imagine that — sourced information.
EARLIER: Over at Deadline Hollywood Daily, Nikki Finke conveys what we all know: that AMPAS brass would love a do-over of last year’s Oscarcast and have already approached Bill Condon and Laurence Mark about directing and producing the show once again. The new news, however, is that, in the wake of the duo’s “thanks but no thanks” (busy, busy), the Academy is going to approach Hugh Jackman to host the show once again.
This is, as Anne pointed out in last week’s edition of Oscar Talk (wherein we also discussed ideas for hosts and producers), putting the cart before the horse as no producer has been nailed down yet. Finke floats the idea of Joe Roth again (a confidante of newly tapped Academy president Tom Sherak, also mentioned by Anne last week). But she also reports murmurs that Hawk Koch and Joel Silver separately offered to produce the show.
It’s all rumor-mill stuff right now, and Finke says that Jackman’s handlers will suggest he decline the offer if it is extended, so there’s no way of knowing what’s true and what’s not at this point. But it’s getting to be crunch time. Let’s get on with it…
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34 responses so far
1 10-17-2009 at 12:45 pm
Georgie said...
I’m still behind the idea of Martin and Fey. Especially if Martin plays the banjo.
I’m a Jackman fan but unless they get someone with a solid musical background for producer… I don’t think he’d be as great as he could be.
2 10-17-2009 at 1:45 pm
Loyal said...
Team Gervais.
I’d like a Joel Silver Oscars only if it involves car crashes and pyrotechnics.
3 10-17-2009 at 2:04 pm
The Other James D. said...
What is wrong with these people??
RICKY GERVAIS. He kills at the Emmys annually. Take a hint and bring us some *real* funny. People would tune in just to get some lulz from him!
4 10-17-2009 at 2:25 pm
John said...
Ricky Gervais annoys me.
5 10-17-2009 at 2:49 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
And would annoy me considerably as an Oscar host.
Gervais seems a bit…passe, at this stage.
6 10-17-2009 at 3:45 pm
davidraider88 said...
I have a feeling Gervais would be funny in the beginning of the show but would grow tiresome by the end with his brand of humor. Plus, I think he’s too British for the average mainstream Oscar viewer.
7 10-17-2009 at 4:09 pm
Loyal said...
Passe, ouch. Sell us again on Kevin Spacey.
8 10-17-2009 at 4:18 pm
Ella said...
Please, let it be Hugh again…otherwise I am not going to watch again, I think.
And btw. – Gervais “stole” the “5 thousand people here and at home” joke from Jackman…he used it at the 2004 tonys ;-) I am sure it wasn´t intentional but it is just for a comparison ;-)
9 10-17-2009 at 4:36 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Loyal: He’d be a much better fit for that crowd than Gervais, which is just the myopic choice of a certain fanboy set, I have to say. Spacey would probably never do it, and I doubt there’s a producer out there who would think to try him, but with a little vision, he’d be a handsome choice.
10 10-17-2009 at 6:37 pm
Erik said...
I liked Hugh Jackman, but why not Hugh Laurie? Youtube search his emmy hosting clip with Helen Mirren to see why. Plus he has a decent fanbase, so that wouldn’t exactly hurt the ratings.
I almost thought of suggesting John Cleese, but they wouldn’t want the audience to get that uncomfortable, presumably.
11 10-17-2009 at 9:24 pm
Marshall said...
Bring back Ellen DeGeneres! I loved the year when she hosted…the best of the recent hosts.
12 10-17-2009 at 10:43 pm
Matthew said...
Am I the only one who found Hugh Jackman underwhelming?
Maybe its a generation thing but I’d take Jon Stewart’s wit and Ricky Gervais’ epic timing over a Wolverine dance number anyday.
13 10-17-2009 at 10:45 pm
The Other James D. said...
No, I’m with you there, Matthew. After the opening number, he really had nothing to offer. In fact, I can’t even recall a single memory of him post-intro.
14 10-17-2009 at 11:07 pm
Mickche said...
I agree also, after the opening number, Jackman was nowhere in sight. I’m behind the Martin/Fey combination, probably the best part of the last telecast.
I also wouldn’t mind seeing Robin Williams, he knows how to entrace a crowd.
N-O to Gervais, and i’m sick of Neil Patrick Harris.
15 10-17-2009 at 11:08 pm
Alex said...
http://poll.pollcode.com/IyV_result?v Tina Fey seems like the winner on Anne’s poll. If she were offered the role I doubt she would refuse. I love her and think she’s hilarious but don’t think she could sustain the show past the opening monolgue.
16 10-18-2009 at 5:09 am
Glenn said...
I say to keep Jackman. They’ll never find another Crystal by using a revolving door for hosts. The ratings went UP this year didn’t they?
17 10-18-2009 at 5:47 am
Chris said...
I want Billy Crystal back once more, but knowing he won’t do it, I reckon Jackman would be a very good choice – he’s young, talented and has shown he can host the Oscars successfully before. He could be the new Crystal.
And of course I’d love to see Meryl Streep host, but since she’s a contender pretty much every year, she won’t be available.
18 10-18-2009 at 5:51 am
Loyal said...
I don’t think Gervais’ ability to work a Hollywood crowd while being really funny equals a myopic choice of a certain fanboy set.
A myopic choice for a certain fanboy set, that would be Neil Patrick Harris or Justin Timberlake.
19 10-18-2009 at 7:16 am
Guy Lodge said...
I still think Jackman’s performance this year (which didn’t entirely do it for me personally, but I’m happy to admit it was a success) was strongly tied to Condon and Mark’s very unusual vision for the show. If this year’s producer decides to go a more conventional route, I’m not convinced Jackman will fit in quite as comfortably, but I suppose there’s no harm in trying.
20 10-18-2009 at 7:55 am
James D. said...
In a perfect world, Tarantino would host.
21 10-18-2009 at 9:48 am
Erik said...
Streep’s eligibility just about every year is hardly a problem. NPH was up for an emmy AND he hosted this year. But I’m sticking with my new preference for Hugh Laurie. In fact, have him host every year from now on. With a co-host.
2009: Hugh Laurie and Meryl Streep
2010: Hugh Laurie and Ellen Degeneres
2011: Hugh Laurie and Tina Fey
2012: Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson
2013: Hugh Laurie and Helen Mirren
etc etc etc
… hey, I’d watch that…
22 10-18-2009 at 10:01 am
Guy Lodge said...
If Hugh Laurie were to have a co-host, surely it’d have to be Stephen Fry.
It’d be the most niche ceremony ever.
23 10-18-2009 at 10:09 am
JAB said...
random note, but did anyone else notice that Alexandre Desplat is doing the score for New Moon?
24 10-18-2009 at 11:41 am
mike said...
still have no idea why Steve Martin only hosted twice when he has been head and shoulders the best host i have ever seen, way better than Billy Crystal, Mind u i only started watching the Oscars in 2002, but I saw his opening for 2001 on youtube and i remember 2003, man, seems like such a simple answer to the never ending Oscar host question.
25 10-18-2009 at 12:59 pm
Another Matthew said...
I loved Hugh Jackman, and I think I’d be alright with another set of producers. Jackman brought some class to the show, and yet was extremely entertaining. The only problem I had with the show last year was the lack of Oscar clips for actors or something. I like those Oscar clips. The montage thing could maybe be brought down a bit too. I’ve liked most hosts though. Although Chris Rock was just awful. And Ellen DeGeneres’ year was way too self-congratulatory (let’s celebrate the nominees montage). But that’s more a producer problem. Jon Stewart was great, but I think Hugh Jackman brought the perfect amount of humour, mockery, celebration, and musical skills as well. So bring back Jackman, just make sure he’s got a good director/producer to back him up.
Oh and Spacey would be a horrendous host. Great actor, but I can’t imagine him being anything but kind of bland/dull.
26 10-18-2009 at 2:33 pm
Another Matthew said...
Another note, if Hugh Laurie did it with Stephen Fry (even Stephen Fry alone) it would be – I can only assume – so unbelievably great. Hopefully Fry hosts the BAFTAs at least this year, instead of that at-times-intolerable Ross.
27 10-18-2009 at 2:34 pm
jess said...
Hugh Jackman: one of the best Oscar hosts ever. The Academy loved him, the attendees loved him (remember the standing ovation?), I loved him, many others loved him. It’s pretty obvious they’ll ask him to hist again. Just wait Hugh’s answer, then the speculation can start again.
28 10-18-2009 at 2:36 pm
The Other James D. said...
I think joint-hosting could work, if done correctly. Colbert & Stewart would be a great pair. Fey & Gervais could work as well. And of course, Laurie & Fry would be hysterical.
29 10-18-2009 at 2:38 pm
@Alex said...
http://poll.pollcode.com/IyV_result?v Hey! Jackman is the winner in that poll with quite a big percentage compared to the other choices. And guess what? I totally agree! Bring Jackman back, Academy!! The ‘I’m Wolveriiiiiiiiiine!!!!’ line rocked! And both the number and Hugh were hilarious!!!
30 10-18-2009 at 2:57 pm
XD said...
Personally, I want Hugh Jackman to host again. He is talented, handsome, amazing dancer and so likable. His opening number was hilarious and he was really having some great time up there, he was enjoying it so much and that showed. I remember him even laughing during ‘Te Reader’ part. He was a delight to watch and the only reason I’m gonna sit through this year’s ceremony so please bring him back!
31 10-18-2009 at 4:43 pm
Matthew said...
I could see Jon Stewart and Colbert co-hosting the Emmys, but not the Oscars. Though the thought of a Colbert monologue with a scathing rebuke of Hollywood values makes me giddy.
32 10-19-2009 at 8:40 am
Jen said...
NOOOO
Hugh was one of the worst presenters I’ve ever seen at the Oscars. Unbearable!
33 10-19-2009 at 1:44 pm
@Jen said said...
He was hilarious. Bring him back!!!
34 10-19-2009 at 7:48 pm
Cindy said...
Loved Hugh Jackman. Bring him back. Give him more to do, though. He is a great performer and we loved watching him.