The Oscars are having trouble finding a host for their 2025 ceremony. Jimmy Kimmel, who has hosted the Oscars four times and comedian John Mulaney, who is considered a natural for the position, have both turned down the job.
Although being host for the Academy Awards was once deemed prestigious, it takes months of work and hosts have to put up with being ridiculed on social media afterwards. Johnny Carson, who hosted the Oscars five times, last did it in 1984, long before social media came into existence.
Alec Baldwin, who co-hosted in 2010 with Steve Martin, said it was "a thankless job," that he'll "never, never, never" do again. Anne Hathaway, who co-hosted with James Franco in 2011, commented in a 2020 interview with Variety, "It’s just a no-win situation... Even the people who do it spectacularly well — like Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres — usually just get a 'meh' from everyone. It’s a really hard gig to stick the landing on."
In an interview with Variety last month, Academy CEO Bill Kramer said, "All I will say is, with whomever hosts the show moving forward, we want to continue with this tone of celebration, respect, humor, and a great love of movies. We have some great options."
However, he didn't name any of their options. I think Ricky Gervais would be a great candidate. He was hilarious while hosting the Golden Globes, and he doesn't seem to care about any backlash in regards to his jokes. Or how about pairing Steve Martin with his Only Murders in the Building co-star, Martin Short?
Who do you think would make a great Oscars host? ~Alexandra Heilbron
Those who still watch the Oscars will be relieved by this good news
How about a senior who really doesn't give two hoots for what people say on the internet. They don't even need to crack jokes if they don't want to. Just seeing them could be enough. Having said that, actors are such a high maintenance group that it's no wonder they are sensitive to on-line remarks. Who writes the jokes that fall that flat after the show, yet in the moment the audience laughs.
I always like Tina Faye and Amy Polar. Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolf Mike Myers, Jimmy Fallon, Bill Murray, Bill Hader, Dana Carvey, Kate MacKinnon, Vanessa Bayer (many from the SNL cast). Jim Carey, if he can be controlled. Sandra Bullock (has the chops) It would be great to see some good actors: Stanley Tucci, Meryl Streep, Greg Kinnear, Denzel Washington, Dame Judy Dench, Helen Mirren . . . an actor who’s both great in film and on stage (kind of like Hugh Jackman). William Shatner Am I getting paid per name?
Why not George Clooney and/or Brad Pitt?
Bring back Billy Crystal……nobody does it like him. He was the best. You really need someone who is a comedian and can work an audience. Just don’t ask Chris Rock, I think he was the worst one. And I still love watching the Oscar’s.
I don't know how Mulaney even has a career. The guy is less funny than a pediatric burn ward.