Hugh Jackman is out, and the Oscars host goes to... (Updated)

Posted Monday, November 2, 2009 at 4:04 PM Central

by John Couture

One thing is for certain. On March 7, 2010, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will host their 82nd annual Academy Awards. The one thing that's not certain is who will host the biggest awards show of the year.

In case you haven't been following along, Hugh Jackman took his hat out of the ring for consideration as host and it's stirred the pot in terms of hosting duties for this year's show. In fact, it's almost become a bit of curse, the Billy Crystal curse.

No one has hosted the Oscars in back to back years since Crystal in 1997 and 1998.

We've decided to take the /Film question to heart and fashion a list of potential hosts that we would love to see host the event. Of course, this isn't a list of probable, or even likely hosts. No, this is a list of people that would force us to tune in and watch the program even in the wake of natural disaster.

Oh yes, this list is that good and we think you'll agree. Of course, we would love to see Neil Patrick Harris complete his "Doogie Slam" and host all of the major awards shows in one cycle (ala the Tiger Slam, but not in the same calendar year), but given his show's tie to CBS and the fact that ABC practically owns the Oscars, the likelihood is slim to none.

With this in mind, here is our list in no particular order. The only rule we held ourselves to was not to include anyone who has hosted the Oscars before.

• Kevin Smith - Sure, the list isn't in any sort of order, but if it were, he'd be at top. The man sold out Carnegie Hall for heaven's sake, just to listen to him tell dick and fart jokes. He would be an edgy pick no doubt and they'd have to constantly dry off his excessive sweating, but if the Academy is looking to hit a home run, he's our choice to step up to the plate.
• Tina Fey - The Oscar hosts have predominantly been men. Only two women Whoopi Goldberg and Ellen DeGeneres have hosted the event in a solo capacity. That's a shame and Tina could totally pull it off.
• Neil Patrick Harris - We want the "Doogie Slam." Enough said. He will have had plenty of practice with the other shows he's hosted this year. Time to give him the call to the big leagues.
• Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd and Jonah Hill - The team approach has worked in the past and you know it's what Judd Apatow would do if he were producing the Oscars.
• Kate Hudson - At 30, she would be one of the youngest hosts, but it would be a nice mother/daughter moment as her mom Goldie Hawn hosted in 1987. You could call her our wild card entry.
• Jimmy Fallon - It seems that one running theme of the pasts hosts is time spent on SNL. Jimmy has proven himself to be a hot commodity at times and would easily bring a hipness to the event.
• Kevin Spacey - You want more dramatic presence from your host? Well, it doesn't get any better than this. He can pull off both sides of the genre coin.
• Julia Roberts - What happened to America's Sweetheart? No one knows and that's a tragedy. This could be her big triumphant return to film.
• Tom Hanks - Believe it or not, Tom has never hosted the Oscars. That's because he's usually too busy winning them. However, I think it's fair to say that he won't be nominated this year and he'd make for a spectacular host.
• Mike Myers - Rounding out our list is this Canadian funnyman. He's sort of a natural choice and would do a great job. And besides, I'm sure it would insure a return of Wayne and Garth. Game on!

So, how did we do? Tell us who you could choose to host the Oscars.

Update: And the winner is...

In case you missed the announcement, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin have been tapped to co-host next year's ceremony. Both gents are extremely talented and usually very entertaining but I'm not exactly sold on the combo.

I do like both men's comments in the official AMPAS press release:

"I am happy to co-host the Oscars with my enemy Alec Baldwin," said Martin.

"I don’t play the banjo but I'm thrilled to be hosting the Oscars -- it's the opportunity of a lifetime," said Baldwin.

I wonder if Alec will find a way to get all his acting brothers on stage for the event.