Hugh Jackman to Host the Oscars!!

[Hunter Rider]

But it is a necessary balance for the show to work. Otherwise it becomes an ego-fest. Do you really not want someone to put George Clooney in his place when he does something as pretentious as give Hollywood credit for the civil rights movement? The Oscars by nature are a bunch of rich, overpaid ass holes kissing other rich, overpaid ass holes asses. You need someone there to keep their egoes in check, because no one wants to watch that. I don't think a variety show will quite balance it out, as variety shows are incredibly egotistical as well. They operate under the assumption that someone actually wants to see Rosie O'Donnell do a duet with Alec Baldwin. That people give enough of a damn about these jerks to watch that. They tend to be groups of celebrities saying, "HEY EVERYONE! LOOK HOW GREAT I AM!" And that, combined with the Oscars will just be a bit much for me. I'll probably get the results via Google the next morning this year (or the Batboards as they throw a fit over every category. "ZOMG! I CAN'T BELIEVE TDK DIDN'T WIN BEST MUSICAL NUMBER FOR HEATH LEDGER HUMMING A SONG ON A BEHIND THE SCENES FEATURE OF THE DVD! TEH OSCARS SUX! I'M NEVER WATCHING AGAIN!").

Besides, I think you have a misconceived view of the host taking shots at actors. It is like a roast. It isn't disrespecting someone for their success, it is honoring them for it.

No matter which label you give it, it's the same tired formula of has been comedian with bad hair getting cheap heat off ppl more successful than him. My hope is Jackman brings a fresh and more varied approach to hosting.

 

[Matt]

No matter which label you give it, it's the same tired formula of has been comedian with bad hair getting cheap heat off ppl more successful than him. My hope is Jackman brings a fresh and more varied approach to hosting.

Then I'm holding you personally responsible when George Clooney's monster ego goes unchecked and destroys us all.

 

[Hunter Rider]

It has nothing to do with my fervor to see Conan host. I would take Stewart, Crystal, Ellen, Letterman, hell, even Leno over this choice. He is just wrong for the show. And the fact that you concede it is a bunch of ass holes sitting around stroke their egoes is exactly why you need the roast format. It keeps it in check and gives it balance. A variety show will not have that effect.

How does it give it balance when it's an obnoxious person taking shots ?

And I really don't think this will boost the ratings as much as you think. Quite the contrary. Rosie O'Donnell (who is far more of a house hold name than Jackman), tried a variety show recently. It was canceled after one episode and had embarrassingly low ratings.

Come on Matt, O'Donnel is more infamous than anything, who wants to spend 3 hours watching/listening to her ? Jackman has charm and charisma.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Then I'm holding you personally responsible when George Clooney's monster ego goes unchecked and destroys us all.

As long as it takes Conan's rabid game show toupee and weaselly face out first.

 

[OsGom]

It has nothing to do with my fervor to see Conan host. I would take Stewart, Crystal, Ellen, Letterman, hell, even Leno over this choice. He is just wrong for the show. And the fact that you concede it is a bunch of ass holes sitting around stroke their egoes is exactly why you need the roast format. It keeps it in check and gives it balance. A variety show will not have that effect.

I don't see how the roast format keeps this in check. You said yourself it is not taking potshots it is honoring. You are contradicting yourself.

And I really don't think this will boost the ratings as much as you think. Quite the contrary. Rosie O'Donnell (who is far more of a house hold name than Jackman), tried a variety show recently. It was canceled after one episode and had embarrassingly low ratings.

That isn't really an equal comparison. I think Rosie is more infamous than anything else. In addition wasn't this daytime TV? Kind of a narrow market to be comparing.

You seem to contradict yourself. You say its not about him playing a superhero, but then you claim that you want to see him, Bale, and Downey (an actor with no connection to the other two other than having a done movie in the same genre) do a musical number together? Kinda seems like you're relegating them to their lowest common denomenator.

I said my esteem for the actor does not only stem for his portrayal of Wolverine. I personally thought he did a good job but would have preferred someone less pretty and smaller in the role.

I simply suggested this because it is this role for which he is most known. A satirical dance number IMO is more original to poke fun at oneself than a string of lame scripted jokes in a monologue.

Lowest common denominator? That doesn't sound like a comicbook fan. maybe it is though but I would find it riotous.

 

[Matt]

How does it give it balance when it's an obnoxious person taking shots ?

Because otherwise it is just obnoxious people giving undue amounts of praise to other obnoxious people. There's nothing to keep them in check. And again, I truly think you misinterpret the intent behind the depracative jokes of the host. Do you really think Jon Stewart resents Clint Eastwood's success? Has Sean Penn highjacked your computer, my dear friend?

Come on Matt, O'Donnel is more infamous than anything, who wants to spend 3 hours watching/listening to her ? Jackman has charm and charisma.

I forget that you're from the UK, Rob. You'd be suprised how popular that annoying wench is, State-side. People still love her from her talk show from a few years back. It is illogical I know...but...yeah...she's loved here.

 

[Matt]

I don't see how the roast format keeps this in check. You said yourself it is not taking potshots it is honoring. You are contradicting yourself.

It is a different type of honoring. No one wants to watch Brad Pitt get honored by having George Clooney say how Brad Pitt single handedly changed the world by playing an old man who grew young.

That isn't really an equal comparison. I think Rosie is more infamous than anything else. In addition wasn't this daytime TV? Kind of a narrow market to be comparing.

Nope, it was prime time. And Rosie's feud with Trump may have soured some, but for the most part, she still polls great with middle aged people across America

I said my esteem for the actor does not only stem for his portrayal of Wolverine. I personally thought he did a good job but would have preferred someone less pretty and smaller in the role.

I simply suggested this because it is this role for which he is most known. A satirical dance number IMO is more original to poke fun at oneself than a string of lame scripted jokes in a monologue.

Lowest common denominator? That doesn't sound like a comicbook fan. maybe it is though but I would find it riotous.

I think it is the obvious route. Jackman poking fun at his most known role. A trained chimp could write that.

 

[OsGom]

I forget that you're from the UK, Rob. You'd be suprised how popular that annoying wench is, State-side. People still love her from her talk show from a few years back. It is illogical I know...but...yeah...she's loved here.

I live int the states Matt. Rosie is infamous and often vilified by the press (not without reason).

 

[Hunter Rider]

Because otherwise it is just obnoxious people giving undue amounts of praise to other obnoxious people. There's nothing to keep them in check. And again, I truly think you misinterpret the intent behind the depracative jokes of the host. Do you really think Jon Stewart resents Clint Eastwood's success? Has Sean Penn highjacked your computer, my dear friend?

Heh, I just don't find it funny personally, one or two jokes sure, but with a lot it's all they have, it's possible to be an entertaining host without falling back on repetitive cheap heat IMO. Most actors are ok anyway I think, being successful doesn't make them jerks.

I forget that you're from the UK, Rob. You'd be suprised how popular that annoying wench is, State-side. People still love her from her talk show from a few years back. It is illogical I know...but...yeah...she's loved here.

I..........I.........have nothing.

 

[Matt]

As long as it takes Conan's rabid game show toupee and weaselly face out first.

Blasphemous. I was personally hoping for Ricky Gervais this year as was rumored. His stint at the Emmys was amazing, "I'm a nobody here. I can say anything." Plus Extras shows that he knows just how to poke fun at the ridiculous subculture of acting.

 

[Matt]

I live int the states Matt. Rosie is infamous and often vilified by the press (not without reason).

she was briefly following the Trump/View fiasco...but she is still well liked enough and far better known than Jackman.

 

[OsGom]

Nope, it was prime time. And Rosie's feud with Trump may have soured some, but for the most part, she still polls great with middle aged people across America

Again you're looking at a very narrow market. As I pointed out in a previous post. Hugh's appeal ranges widely across many markets and age groups.

 

[OsGom]

Blasphemous. I was personally hoping for Ricky Gervais this year as was rumored. His stint at the Emmys was amazing, "I'm a nobody here. I can say anything." Plus Extras shows that he knows just how to poke fun at the ridiculous subculture of acting.

I think that would be great to see next year. This year I'm psyched for HJ.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I think it is the obvious route. Jackman poking fun at his most known role. A trained chimp could write that.

You could say the same of most of the roast material, shots at Leo's green-ness ? check, shots at Penn's anal retentiveness ? check, shots at Jolie's humanitarian work ? check, shots at Eastwoods age ? check, shots at Cruise' scientology ? check,and so on...

 

[Matt]

Heh, I just don't find it funny personally, one or two jokes sure, but with a lot it's all they have, it's possible to be an entertaining host without falling back on repetitive cheap heat IMO. Most actors are ok anyway I think, being successful doesn't make them jerks.

No...not all of them. Probably not even most. But those who do tend to really step up their *****ey-ness at the Oscars. Look at Sean Penn's fight with Chris Rock. Look at Clooney taking credit for the civil rights movement. And that is when you need a good comedian to slap them down.

Furthermore, I just don't find singing and dancing to be all that entertaining to be honest. This isn't unprecedented. Liza Minelli hosted at the pique of her popularity in the 80s. Her background is very similiar to Jackman. She bombed on epic levels. Same with when Alan Alda and Jane Fonda hosted. Both very charming, talented people. Not right for the gig.

I..........I.........have nothing.

Its scary

 

[Hunter Rider]

Blasphemous. I was personally hoping for Ricky Gervais this year as was rumored. His stint at the Emmys was amazing, "I'm a nobody here. I can say anything." Plus Extras shows that he knows just how to poke fun at the ridiculous subculture of acting.

Ugh, not a fan of his either.

she was briefly following the Trump/View fiasco...but she is still well liked enough and far better known than Jackman.

Maybe with people who consider Geritol a regular daily drink

 

[Hunter Rider]

No...not all of them. Probably not even most. But those who do tend to really step up their *****ey-ness at the Oscars. Look at Sean Penn's fight with Chris Rock. Look at Clooney taking credit for the civil rights movement. And that is when you need a good comedian to slap them down.

I'm not aware of the Clooney thing but I recall Rock dissing Jude Law right ? and that got Penn all shirty.

Furthermore, I just don't find singing and dancing to be all that entertaining to be honest. This isn't unprecedented. Liza Minelli hosted at the pique of her popularity in the 80s. Her background is very similiar to Jackman. She bombed on epic levels. Same with when Alan Alda and Jane Fonda hosted. Both very charming, talented people. Not right for the gig.

I respect that, I am saying I don't find the roasting format all that entertaining either.

 

[Matt]

Again you're looking at a very narrow market. As I pointed out in a previous post. Hugh's appeal ranges widely across many markets and age groups.

Most people don't know who the **** Hugh is. He is not an A-lister. The character he plays is. People see him as Wolverine. The Prestige wasn't a box office hit and only made profit because of its low budget. The Fountain and Van Helsing both bombed. The X-Men series has been his only mainstream success in America. He doesn't have appeal that ranges across many markets because most people do not know who he is.

Here's a good article on it

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-critic13-2008dec13,0,6889365.story

And the middle aged market is the one that makes the Oscars. That is the rating demographic they need. The producers know they are not going to win 18-25. They need the same demographics that make CSI and Desperate Housewives a success.

 

[OsGom]

Furthermore, I just don't find singing and dancing to be all that entertaining to be honest. This isn't unprecedented. Liza Minelli hosted at the pique of her popularity in the 80s. Her background is very similiar to Jackman. She bombed on epic levels. Same with when Alan Alda and Jane Fonda hosted. Both very charming, talented people. Not right for the gig.

Her background might be similar but they are completely different personalities. You might want to check out excerpts his performances hosting the Tonys. He can do comedy. Maybe he's no Whoopi but I think that it's a good thing.

 

[Matt]

Ugh, not a fan of his either.

I thought I knew you. YOU TOLD ME YOU LOVED ME!

Maybe with people who consider Geritol a regular daily drink

Touche. But that's the demographic they need. The coveted 18-24 demographic does not watch the Oscars. They will be watching Family Guy.

I'm not aware of the Clooney thing but I recall Rock dissing Jude Law right ? and that got Penn all shirty.

If I remember right, he made a joke about Law, that Law laughed at. Then Penn came out on stage and more or less lectured Rock for it and then flicked him off while leaving stage. God, Penn is an ass hole. t:

As for Clooney...It was a few years back. He won for Syriana right after a video on black actors and their influence and accomplishments on cinema ran, and while accepting he went on some rant about how Hollywood is always ahead of the curve and were giving Sidney Pottier an Oscar before the civil rights movement and then went onto imply Hollywood was responsible for the civil rights movement.

I respect that, I am saying I don't find the roasting format all that entertaining either.

As I respect that, so I suppose we must just agree to disagree.

 

[Matt]

Her background might be similar but they are completely different personalities. You might want to check out excerpts his performances hosting the Tonys. He can do comedy. Maybe he's no Whoopi but I think that it's a good thing.

But most of his comedy stems from his song and dance numbers. The whole, "Not gonna dance," thing just doesn't fit the Oscars in my opinion. His type of humor is wrong. Its variety show humor, which, as I've said, I think is wrong for the Oscars. I prefer the roast format. And don't sell Minelli short. She does comedy.

 

[OsGom]

Most people don't know who the **** Hugh is. He is not an A-lister. The character he plays is. People see him as Wolverine. The Prestige wasn't a box office hit and only made profit because of its low budget. The Fountain and Van Helsing both bombed. The X-Men series has been his only mainstream success in America. He doesn't have appeal that ranges across many markets because most people do not know who he is.

Here's a good article on it

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-critic13-2008dec13,0,6889365.story

And the middle aged market is the one that makes the Oscars. That is the rating demographic they need. The producers know they are not going to win 18-25. They need the same demographics that make CSI and Desperate Housewives a success.

OMG! Don't ask me to read an article written by a critic. "He is an outsider". What's that about?

I submit to you that the majority of the middle aged market would tune in anyway. I disagree that the most people don't know who Hugh Jackman is. He was just voted People's Sexiest man of 2008. He will have headlined two major motion pictures by the time The Oscars air in addition he is a fanboy darling. Now let's add an "outsider" to that. There's another audience he appeals to.

 

[Matt]

OMG! Don't ask me to read an article written by a critic. "He is an outsider". What's that about?

I submit to you that the majority of the middle aged market would tune in anyway. I disagree that the most people don't know who Hugh Jackman is. He was just voted People's Sexiest man of 2008. He will have headlined two major motion pictures by the time The Oscars air in addition he is a fanboy darling. Now let's add an "outsider" to that. There's another audience he appeals to.

People Magazine is hardly a reflection of anything more than the People Magazine editorial board. Australia bombed at the box office and is getting mixed reviews from critics. Hardly a major motion picture. What is the second one that he will be headlining? Jackman is not an A-lister in the States at the moment. A-listers are household names. Jackman is not one.

 

[OsGom]

People Magazine is hardly a reflection of anything more than the People Magazine editorial board. Australia bombed at the box office and is getting mixed reviews from critics. Hardly a major motion picture. What is the second one that he will be headlining? Jackman is not an A-lister in the States at the moment. A-listers are household names. Jackman is not one.

The second is Xmen Origins: Wolverine.

And I think People Magazine is the perfect barometer for this kind of spectacle. Especially the middle-aged market you keep bringing up. When you talk about the middle aged market You're really talking about middle aged women. Middle-aged women who are the vast majority of People readers. Now the People appointed sex symbol is hosting Oscar. You have captured needed fan base to stay the course. Now you add in all the fan bases to which HJ appeals and you're on your way improved ratings. Maybe not record ratings (those days are gone) but respectable.

 

[Matt]

The second is Xmen Origins: Wolverine.

X-Men Origins doesn't come out before the Oscars. Furthermore, Wolverine is an A-lister, not Jackman. There's a difference.

And I think People Magazine is the perfect barometer for this kind of spectacle. Especially the middle-aged market you keep bringing up. When you talk about the middle aged market You're really talking about middle aged women. Middle-aged women who are the vast majority of People readers. Now the People appointed sex symbol is hosting Oscar. You have captured needed fan base to stay the course. Now you add in all the fan bases to which HJ appeals and you're on your way improved ratings. Maybe not record ratings (those days are gone) but respectable.

Again, I believe you over-estimate the appeal of Jackman. We'll see come the monday after Oscars, I suppose.