A host? Give a comedian a mike and he/she will hog the show. To make the show shorter get rid of the so-called musical numbers with unworthy songs/singers. No one cares because the songs never make it to the top 20 which is inundated by rap these days. The only defense the Oscars have for length is that it takes 4 boring hours for football.
If I could choose a host for The 91st Academy Awards show aired on February 24, 2019, I would be leaning towards actors with fantastic speaking voices such as Hugh Laurie or Idris Elba. I would most want the host to have a voice that utterly mezmorizes me. Both of the male choices of mine have voices that are quite unique to themselves, but are well known as well as accepted as sweet, dulcet tones to their voices. Both men are considered gentlemanly, classy, yet are on target when it comes to comedic timing. Another man came to mind, and I don't how I managed to overlook his name: Gary Oldman. The man is so self-effacing that Mr. Oldman can become whomever you want him to be.
If I were to suggest a female host, it would be any of the following names, each lady equipped with her exclusive manner: Ellen DeGeneres (pleasing voice, comedic genius); Dame Helen Mirren (one of the most exquisitely talented thespians of our times; charming and dazzling); Sean Young or Yvonne Strahovski (separate, recognizable, and sultry voices guaranteed to hynotize the listeners.
In my opinion, an award show requires a host or hostess to complement the show rather than to attempt to supersede the talent that The Academy Awards Show chooses to honour the nominees for their expertise in each of these thespian's chosen crafts.
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I really only watch for the host. Ellen, NPH, maybe Hart. I wait until someone posts just the host portions on YouTube. If there is no host - there is nothing for me to watch :)
Maybe Bush and Obama could to it. They both can be funny, and they seem to have a friendly rivalry kind of relationship.
The Academy made the right decision in cancelling the host for the show. Their mistake was in not cancelling the entire show. I never watch it, because who in their right mind wants to listen to these egomaniacs heap praise on themselves? If you want to spend a couple of hours productively in front of the boob tube, turn on TCM and watch a good movie from 50-70 years ago.
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@luxembourg
Hi there... Because u don't like it obviously others do. So why do folk try to deter people away from their choice/s? Like saying they need 2 be told. They r not capable of their own mind. Such words suggest that. It's not going to happen your way. Why does it matter what others want 2 watch? Just asking.
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I agree that a host is not needed, let alone a stand-up comic. The comic routines are only copies from past hosts to the point that the show becomes dull, its pace and momentum jolted by inane 'comic in the audience' routines. While mildly entertaining they are an intrusion and embarrassing. You don't need to try that hard. Only Billy Crystal was a slam dunk and no one since has compared. So why try? And, the opening monologue. OY! It goes on for far too long. YAWN! This is not Comedy Central. It is the Oscars. Film. Focus on that. The show could open with a production number of one of the five nominated songs. The BAFTA's do it so much better, but that is no surprise. Just a class act with some wit thrown in that doesn't get in the way of the main event. Frankly, I think TCM would do a far better job at producing a class act that resonates with the audience.
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A host is not needed. A stand up comedian is illogical. A competent MC to introduce film clip, after film clip, after film clip is what is required. The Oscars should be a celebration of films of all sorts. Past glories and current nominated films should always be at the heart of a film awards ceremony.
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I love the Oscars, and I watch every year. Most of the time, though, the opening acts are boring. (Billy Crystal was funny). You could just have the presenters and the show would be great, and shorter.
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I don't understand: the majority of the commenters here either hate the awards or hate Hollywood. Maybe you should just not watch them.
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Come on, guys, lighten up! We all know what we sign on for when this show comes around each year. My two cents' worth is that I'd like it to be a show that is more serious and have more reverence for film and about 2 hrs long, tops; ain't gonna happen with or without a host. The powers that be always have to dumb it down for the seemingly short-on-attention-span viewers and pepper the entire broadcast with unfunny jokes, bloated musical numbers and insincere patter between the presenters. Take a deep breath, stock up on some decent champagne and good snacks, and have some friends over to properly dish the red carpet outfits like any Oscar viewer should. There IS fun to be had.
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I think this is much ado about nothing. I'm willing to bet there are plenty of people who would love to host the Oscars but they haven't been asked. I'll do it, for Chrissakes!
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The whole show has—always was—sooo boring. Just like the Tony awards, of which nobody except a handful of Broadway-ites ever heard of the nominees. And the day after...who remembers anything? About as exciting as the Super Bowl.
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@SmileyBurnette The last few SuperBowls were amazing!
To rely on one person to act as host who will not offend anyone is an exercise in futility in this day and age. It's 2019, you'd think an industry that spews creativity could come up with an entertaining alternative without having to resort to a dance number featuring Snow White and a non-dancer/non-singer such as Rob Lowe. Time for a major reboot ... or invite someone like Vanna White who sole talent is smiling pleasantly while strolling across a stage pointing out letters which could easily be replaced by a nominee or winner.
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Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, David Letterman, Whoopie Goldberg, Tina Fey, Sarah Silverman...the list goes on and on with proven choices that aren't stupid, funny, and worth watching. What's wrong with them? Not a comedian? Who are they going to get?
Oh, they want not funny? How about Amy Schumer, Kathy Griffin, Zach Galafinakis, or Russell Brand?
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@Eric, I am I am, Well I am a plain Jane I can and have been in the past the speaker of talent shows, fashion shows, talent shows. S D City hall speaker, Spoke for Community Orgs, Homeless Programs, YWCA .
.MC;OTHERS Thru out the yrs. No practice just adlibs, everyone was so happy. It was scary but fun. I made myself adjust to my natural thoughts and statements. Can't say all. So a a plain Jane with a voice. Hola.....
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I love the Oscars, mostly. I will watch because I get to learn about some films in the process and get a sense of at least the winners that I usually don't get, not being a consumer of entertainment news. Bring back Whoopi or Jackman. Billly. Ellen. Have more more singing and dancing. Cirque du Soleil. The scripted presenters are boring and stiff. Or think outside the box. Michelle Obama? Meryl Streep?
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@KM Meryl Streep ! Great idea!
What is wrong with people in this comment section? I don't go to NBA websites and spout out "who cares is in the final? Who even likes basketball? I like playing basketball in the park but what's even the point of having a competition?" If you don't like the Oscars, stay out of the comments sections of articles about the Oscars. Let us homosexuals and film buffs have our Super Bowl.
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If you actually watch this show, you deserve what you get. Do people actually care about this? You saw a movie. Or not. You liked it. Or not. Why does it matter what anyone else has to say about it? Answer: nothing.
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@Nadia "We believe in nothing, Lebowski. Nothing. And tomorrow we come back and we cut off your chonson."
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@Nadia What are your thoughts on the NBA?
Can’t help but long for the days of a moderate host, even Bob Hope! There’s a feeling that Hart was chosen to compensate for the uproar about not enough blacks up for awards. And I don’t want to hear another foul mouthed comedian. There is more to comedy than 4 letter words. No hosts having been making a useful contribution! One reason I don’t tune it. And have antenna tv and don’t get the station now anyway, thank goodness.
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@ellie k. you have an antenna TV and don't get ABC ? Huh.
No need to broadcast Oscar winners. The Academy can vote on them, and submit a list of winners to the media.
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Who cares whether there is a comic or not? That's not what folks are there for.
Who even watches the oscars - no one sees most of the movies and the choices seem esoteric, at best.
The mere fact that an oscar mnovie denotes a sort of overblown melodrama with a famous actor in a non-typical role is simplistic and highly over-rated.
The Academy members seem dated and out of touch.
Try something else. The Academy Awards have seen their best days and can only go downhll without a major overhaul.
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@San Francisco Voter Some years I might have agreed about the nominations representing esoteric films, but recently that has been less the case. The nominations for best film this year are all pretty approachable movies which many people have seen.
Lots of people watch the oscars -- it's fun. And fun is good.
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Thankfully the DVR and fast forward works. 4 hour show condensed into 30 minutes.
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Let's face it, everything about the Oscars is political. But Kevin Hart was the wrong political choice. That would be old Hollywood. That would be entertaining. But new Hollywood hire a CNN reporter as a host of the Oscars to explain to the audience the political reasons why the nominee won. And that Hollywood is down with the p-e-o-p-l-e.
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@marrtyy Right on, Boris.
Last year was about politics more than entertainment.
No wonder so many stayed away.
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@R. R.
Oscars are way too political. You lose at least half your audience. If not more. As they say, “Just sing dammit!!”
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"Goldberg then ad-libbed, by way of justification, “It’s the biggest night in Hollywood, baby.” Find another host who truly gets that, and both the Oscars and the audience will be better off."
Has Goldberg said "no"? Why not have her back? She was one of the best hosts ever!
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Being human, I never miss the Oscars because it's not humanly possible to avoid gazing at a train wreck.
And, my favorite website has a real-time messages thread chock-full of bawdy, hilarious, vulgar commentary.
Aren't those everybody's reasons to watch?
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The Academy Awards ceremony is an industry recognition event, not much different from any other industry that hands out employee recognition yearly. Let it go back to being a closed, midday lunch featuring statuettes and the people who actually work in the industry. In a truly equal democracy, I shouldn't have to care about Meryl's acting award any more than she cares about my management award. I say this knowing full well that I am in the minority however.
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@Claudia Unadvised I'm with you 100%
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@Claudia Unadvised I thought it was now a show about dress promotion...you mean they do something else?
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Everything about the show is overrated, not just the host.
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