New Oscar host needed as Murphy bows out
Roosevelt native Eddie Murphy will not be hosting the 84th Academy Awards telecast. Credit: Getty Images
Ummm, now what? Or -- more immediate question -- ummm, who?
The job is certainly prestigious but the potential for abuse daunting. Critics will hate you. The specter of embarrassment hovers constantly, like a vulture. You live and die by your joke writers -- mostly die. Off bounds are any tired zings about face-lifts, Hollywood sincerity, or Arnold Schwarzenegger (done to death).
So: Little wonder Eddie Murphy Wednesday quit as host of next year's 84th annual Oscar ceremony, in the wake of the Motion Picture Academy's sacking of Brett Ratner, the show's co-producer, who had uttered a homophobic slur at a recent press gathering.
"I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop," said Murphy's statement.
Murphy is friends with Ratner, who directed him in "Tower Heist" and who was expected to hold his hand during the Oscar telecast scheduled for Feb. 26. Nevertheless, the sudden departure still managed to surprise. "Eddie's Exit Throws Oscars into Further Chaos," proclaimed Deadline.com's headline.
Or were the Oscars thrown into chaos? Veteran producer Brian Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind") was named last night to replace Ratner. Also, Don Mischer, who remains on board as co-producer, has done so many awards shows he could do this one blindfolded.
And of course social media instantly did what it does so well in these instances -- engage in speculation and wish-listing. Oprah lives in L.A. now; maybe she's available. Tom Hanks seems like a good idea. Everyone everywhere thought of Billy Crystal. Whoopi Goldberg is probably wondering why everyone everywhere didn't think of her.
There's always the possibility the 84th could go hostless. The last time that happened was in 1989 for the 62nd Academy Awards; the show was deemed one of the worst in history and a couple days after the ceremony, Disney sued the Academy for using Snow White in an "unflattering opening number."
We all remember that show. Maybe a host is a good idea.
Anyone still have Jon Stewart's number?
