(I realize Herc has written about this, but I felt like chiming in on the film side of the site.)
Beaks here...
Twenty-two years ago, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences broadcast one of the most embarrassingly bloated and tedious awards shows in the history of television. It began with a misconceived musical number featuring Snow White crooning "Proud Mary" with Rob Lowe, and ran for a marathon three hours and nineteen minutes. To this day, it is considered the Oscars' nadir.
To shake things up the following year, the Academy hired producer Gil Cates, who, in his infinite wisdom, opted to turned to the then very funny Billy Crystal as host. Though the ceremony ran even longer than the previous year's debacle, Crystal killed. For the first time in years, the Oscars weren't a complete chore to sit through. And so Crystal was kept on as host for the next three years, until people grew tired of his atrophying schtick.
But from that year on, the Academy seemed to understand that it's important to try something a little edgy every now and then. Hence, David Letterman, Chris Rock and Jon Stewart - none of whom were universally loved (I thought they were all terrific), but at least they kept the show watchable for people at home.
I'm no fan of Brett Ratner, but bringing him in to produce the Oscars was at least an attempt to try something different. Unfortunately, he had a movie to promote last week, which meant he got to run his mouth, and now he's out. This cost us an Oscar broadcast hosted by Eddie Murphy, which would've been Eddie's first opportunity to do something close to stand-up comedy in over twenty years. That would've been fascinating.
I was hopeful that Ratner's replacement, Brian Grazer, would persuade Eddie to stay on as host (they've collaborated many times over the years), but according a press release just issued by the Academy, it appears that Crystal is back for his ninth go-round. Safe, comforable and sure to be filled with Bruce Villanch-written groaners. This is what happens when the Academy feels embattled. Maybe next year, once critics complain about a dull, overly familiar broadcast, they'll feel a little daring again, and give us what we really want: Patton Oswalt.
Here's the release...
Beverly Hills, CA (November 10, 2011) – Producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have announced that Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards. "I'm thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar® stage," said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak. "He's a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs."
Commented Grazer, "Like so many others, I've been eager to see Billy host again. It's very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm."
Said Mischer, "With Billy, we're moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars® is, in a sense, a celebration."
This will mark Crystal's ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.
"Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions," said Crystal.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
