Few, if any, celebrities can hold a candle to Billy Crystal when it comes to hosting the Oscars — but the motion picture academy won’t give up the arduous search. A published report today confirms that Hugh Jackman will take over the hosting duties Feb. 22. The Australian actor will certainly mark a departure for the ceremony; the star of Australia, who’s also famous for playing Wolverine, is not a comic. He is, however, comfortable holding the mike center stage: The singing and dancing Jackman has hosted the Tonys three times (pictured hosting in 2005) and received glowing reviews. In fact, a source close to the Broadway kudofest called him “sexy, funny, smart, and talented. Unbelievably collaborative. It wasn’t about him. It was about the show.”
Hosting the Oscars is, quite possibly, the hardest job in Hollywood. Critics are typically unforgiving, and the actors — especially the nominated ones sitting in the Kodak Theater — have little patience for a host who stalls their much-hoped-for march to the stage to retrieve the gold. That’s why it helps if the host really wants and likes to emcee — which is Jackman’s reputation — and is not preoccupied by the P.R. gains such a gig could achieve for their career. What’s more, going with a straight-up charmer like Jackman versus a comedian like Jon Stewart could be a savvy choice in this political climate; with Bush out of office, there’s no one to make fun of at the Oscars, anyway.
More Hugh Jackman and Oscars:
Oscars 2009: EW’s complete coverage
Dave Karger’s Oscar Watch blog
Hugh Jackman: People’s sexiest man alive
Four reasons to love Australia
Comments (1-30) of 54 Add your comment
OhmyGod YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. He was my #1 pick to host, he does such a great job at the Tonys. He’d better do another amazing song/dance number at the Oscars too.
happy happy happy happy happy happy
Watch full movies and TV shows at http://missedashow.com/
I would rather see Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert.
What the…? Totally did not see this coming, haven’t really decided if it’ll be good or not. But one thing’s for sure, its gonna be different, which may be what the Academy is looking for since the viewership has been so low the past couple years.
Great choice.
Smart move! Hugh Jackman is the most charming man in Hollywood. It should be a good show.
love love love love love love love love love love love
It’s a good departure, because it gives the comedians a few years to “recover” and actually feel like they’re not competing with the last comedian to host. And quite frankly, very few of the actors in Hollywood could pull this off without seeming egotistical.
I like this selection, even if it’s just to look at him and listen to his accent. I love Hugh!
This (finally!) non-political choice makes me almost want to watch the show for the first time in years. But… nah.
I think it’s a really smart choice. He can be very funny too
I was hoping for Ricky Gervais, but Hugh is not a bad option. He’ll be polite and charming and noncontroversial.
Interesting, never seen his tony hosting gigs. If he sings a bit and smiles, should be decent enough. On another note, although Jon Stewart hasn’t been very good, I think Stephen Colbert in character hosting the Oscars would be hilarious. Or maybe thats a more Golden Globes thing. Kind of look at everyone with a stern eye. Hehehe
he was great when he hosted the Tony’s a few years back…i definitely will tune in to see this
wanna get more viewers this year? make hugh jackman host shirtless. viewership will be up by at LEAST 20 percent. guaranteed.
Works for me! Yay Hugh!!
Watch full movies and TV shows at http://missedashow.com/
Fantastic choice!
He’s “sexy, funny, smart, and talented.” I’m a straight guy and I feel totally comfortable saying that I feel these adjectives perfectly describe Jackman. Why wouldn’t you want those qualities in a host?
Although his singing and dancing chops probably means the return of the Oscar medley featuring lyrics related to the nominated songs. (This is either a good thing or a bad thing based on how you feel about medleys – personally, I think, if done well, they’re cheesy fun.)
Charming, non-polarizing, has oodles of charisma, talented song and dance man should it come to that, funny, and best of all, very, very sexy to look at and listen to. I’m a huge Oscars junkie, but this has thrown me over the edge into pure bliss.
Conan O’Brien should have been selected. It would’ve been a great way for him to reach the masses before he takes over the ‘Tonight Show’ in May.
This is a good look for the Oscars. A very good look.
He’s sexy but can he host an Oscar show???
I don’t miss Billy Crystal at all. He is completely foul human being. When my daughter was eight years old she had the opportunity to ask Crystal for his autograph. Crystal turned to his friends and said “Like I need to sign an autograph for an ugly little c**t in braces” My daughter learned a lot about celebrities that day.
I’m really looking foreward to this. He’s an extremley talented actor. I’m hoping that the rumored SAG strike will not happen and affect the Oscars.
This is the single best decision made by the Academy in ages!
Could we make it a policy that Hugh must be shirtless about 75% of the time he is on stage? I’ll settle for 55%.
Watch Wanted full movie here!
http://missedashow.com/2008/12/wanted-full-movie-watch-here/
Fantastic! Hugh will be terrific. Saw him on Broadway and he owned the stage. Loved watching him host the Tonys and disappointed the audience was so small-now he will be viewed worldwide. This guy has it all, he’s incredibly handsome, charming, talented, sexy and sweet and humble too. He loves to entertain and interact with the live audience. The show will be fun and spontaneous if they let Hugh be Hugh.
maybe a try to get a nomination for australia after golden globes ….