Oscars: Ellen DeGeneres returns as host

Beverly Hills, Calif. -- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has announced that Ellen DeGeneres will return as Oscar host -- for a second time.

Ths could be called a safe and fail-safe choice: DeGeneres knows how to do the big show without insulting half the room; as Seth MacFarlane did last year.; intriguingly, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, who will produce the show again, had reportedly reached out to MacFarlane earlier, but he said no; a few thousand Academy members were doubtless grateful. His show last year was a hit with viewers, if numbers are an indication, but was widely panned, if only for a song-and-dance routine about actresses' breasts. Meanwhile, there was some speculation that Jimmy Kimmel would be picked for this - but with the choice of DeGeneres, we can all now wonder out loud whether MacFarlane spoiled his opportunity (two wise-cracking male comics with a facility in insult humor in a row? Not likely...) 

Here are the Ellen quotes: