Hugh Jackman to Host the Oscars!!

[PWN3R]

This is a perfect example of something you'd never think of (Jackman hosting), but it makes so much sense. Everyone just blows him off as Wolverine, but in reality he's so much more than that.

Glad he's getting the recognition he deserves.

 

[terry78]

This is a perfect example of something you'd never think of (Jackman hosting), but it makes so much sense. All the women want to blow him off as Wolverine, but in reality he's so much more than that.

Glad he's getting the recognition he deserves.

I think most of the female fans want to do that.

 

[malgal3000]

he's a great choice! very excited about this!

 

[Mister Sinister]

To any doubters: -

 

[Superark]

Such a great choice! I'm such a huge fan of Hugh Jackman.

I hope he sneaks in a musical number or two. This is surely the best choice to host the Oscars in a number of years. (Billy was great but seeing him host time after time was tiresome)

 

[Halcohol]

He did a fantastic job hosting the Tonys, so the Oscars should be no big deal.

 

[terry78]

He did a fantastic job hosting the Tonys, so the Oscars should be no big deal.

The Tonys are an entirely different beast than the Oscars. I know people are using that as his jumping off point, but that show is strictly based in theatre and musicals and fans of aforementioned musicals, this is much more mainstream ****. It can be serious and what not, but if it gets TOO serious without him making a couple jokes or being funny, it ain't gonna work.

 

[OsGom]

To any doubters: -

Ha! That's awesome. The guy is definitely a great Master of Ceremonies!

I'll be honest, if anything MCing the Tonys has to be MORE challenging than the Oscars. Comedy, singing and dancing. The Oscars will be a breeze in comparison.

Thanks Mister Sinister!

 

[Sexecutioner]

I have to say, I could never of predicted Hugh hosting the Oscars.

I think he's a great choice. Hugh is very charismatic and likeable.

 

[Ziggyman]

Very good choice...Always liked Hugh...Me thinky he'll do a great job as host!

 

[FaT_tONle]

To any doubters: -

The lip singing needs work.... I don't know how much faith I have. Oscars are a completely different animal for sure. I mean I love the guy... but I am not sure he'll be up to this. He's got his work cut out for him.

 

[Ziggyman]

...That was in 2005...Since then he's been on stage a ton and is a natural on stage and in front of crowds...

 

[CashforStash]

Not too pumped for this...

 

[RKO]

This man was born to host shows.

Perfect choice.

 

[DACrowe]

Great choice. He is actually a natural showman and is great with a live audience. He's won two Emmys for his hosting of the Tonys and I believe he won a Tony itself for the Boy from Oz and the Evening Standard for when he did Curly in the Oklahoma revival in London (before he was Wolverine).

In short he is just a great comedic presence and entertainer. I think for a lot of his Wolverine fanboys it may be a bit of a shock for though.

examples:

This is the best one as a showcase. Start at 1:45 to get to the point of why he was hired.



The following one may disturb some X-fans, but was funny.


And Jackman in the opening of his first big hit, Oklahoma:



quite a versatile actor, IMO.

 

[Hush]

Very Excited Hugh is the man!

 

[Dark Victory]

Nice to hear. Hopefully he does a great job.

 

[danoyse]

The Tonys are an entirely different beast than the Oscars. I know people are using that as his jumping off point, but that show is strictly based in theatre and musicals and fans of aforementioned musicals, this is much more mainstream ****. It can be serious and what not, but if it gets TOO serious without him making a couple jokes or being funny, it ain't gonna work.

I've been watching the Tonys and the Oscars for years - the only difference is that one has live performances and CBS makes sure the Tonys end by 11. Outside of that there's really no difference in the structure of the shows.

I saw Hugh in The Boy from Oz 5 times when it was on Broadway - trust me, most of you have no idea what he's like on stage in front of an audience. He's not only incredibly talented, he's funny as hell.

He narrated the show, so he got to do a ton of ad-libbing, such as stopping latecomers and asking them why they were late. One show I went to a glass broke on stage and he grabbed a broom off one of the stagehands and made a whole production out of cleaning it up himself.

One of the shows I saw someone in the audience made an X-Men joke and he spent the rest of the night going after the guy who said it (he made him dance in Act 2), which was hilarious.

I'm so excited for the Oscars now, I don't even care who's nominated.

 

[OsGom]

The following one may disturb some X-fans, but was funny.

I'll tell you what. Hugh's got balls of steel coming off of the testosterone fest of Xmen to play a gay singer/songwriter on stage.

I really respect him as an actor for choosing a great diversity of roles and refusing to let himself be type cast as an action hero.

The same goes for Bale who can also sing and dance (Newsies, Pocahontas). How cool would it be to see Batman and Wolverine doing a number together. That would be a riot!!

 

[bapi]

Cool

 

[Matt]

I don't like this choice. Hugh is good on stage, but he is really more a song and dance man than anything. Plus I can't help but wonder if being as Jackman is a working, mainstream actor if this is going to be nothing more than him stroking the collective egoes of Hollywood while throwing a few musical bits in between. The Oscars by nature are a very egotistical practice. That is why you need a good comedian who is not afraid to take jabs at the actors, directors, producers, and whole damn silly system that is Hollywood. You know, the host has to be able to take everyone down a peg, keep it from becoming a bunch of ass holes sitting around talking about how great they all are. Its all about balance. I just can't see Jackman doing that.

And granted, actors have hosted before...but Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, and Whoopie Goldberg were all comedians first and never part of the traditional Hollywood in-crowd. I mean, hell...does anyone remember when Liza Minelli was co-host? I've seen clips. Its painful to watch. Same with when Alan Alda and Jane Fonda co-hosted. Its TERRIBLE. They were lucky to have Robin Willaims there to bail them out.

Jackman is a very talented man. That said, he isn't right to host the Oscars. Having a good stage presence does not make you the right person to host an event. Clay Aiken is supposedly great in Spamalot. Would you want him to host the Oscars? What about Ian McKellan? Classy guy, great showman, shines on stage, not right to host the Oscars. Being good on stage does not make you the right choice for the Oscars. Being good at the Tony Awards doesn't make you right to host the Oscars. Tonys are as Terry pointed out, a different beast. They are a different subject matter, a different tone, etc. Really...put aside your fanboy love for Wolverine and ask yourself this...do you really want to see the Academy Awards become a glorified variety show or do you want someone like Conan knocking the celebrities off the pedestal they will be on simply by the nature of the night? And really...who does Conan have to **** to get his shot at the Oscars? He has nailed the Emmys three times now. Give him a chance to go for the big show.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I'm pleased they hired Hugh, I think he has lots of charisma and stage presence, he also doesn't come off like some hack taking shots at ppl more successful than him, which will make a change.

 

[Matt]

I'm pleased they hired Hugh, I think he has lots of charisma and stage presence, he also doesn't come off like some hack taking shots at ppl more successful than him, which will make a change.

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.

 

[OsGom]

That is why you need a good comedian who is not afraid to take jabs at the actors, directors, producers, and whole damn silly system that is Hollywood. You know, the host has to be able to take everyone down a peg, keep it from becoming a bunch of ass holes sitting around talking about how great they all are.

It has always been a bunch of ass holes sitting around talking about how great they are. No matter who hosts. Perhaps your fervor to see Conan host has biased your opinion?

I like Hugh as an actor/entertainer above his portrayal of Wolverine. I have seen his performances in hosting the Tonys and can say without reservation he has the comedy chops to pull this off. He is far more versital that any other viable option. He is also current and relevant with what's been happening in Hollywood.

I personally am sick of the one dimensional roast/strokefest the Oscars have become. Variety is exactly what the ceremony needs and Hugh is just the personality to do it. Not only is he capable, think of all the audiences to which the man appeals. Fanboys, action fans, romantics, cartoons and even musicals. The guy can and has done it all. The boost in the ratings will be phenomenal I would bet. Maybe even restore the event to the gala it once was.

In any event just because he can sing and dance doesn't mean he will. Although I think it is a huge waste to not incorporate all of the man's talents.

I was serious about wanting to see Bale and Jackman do a number together. With all the attention going to Superhero movies recently why not have a musical number poking fun at the genre. You could throw RDJ in the mix. I think it could be comedy gold if done right. Maybe even make heroes a theme for the Oscars.

I haven't been interested in watching the Oscars in a very long time. With Hugh hosting I will tune in.

 

[Matt]

It has always been a bunch of ass holes sitting around talking about how great they are. No matter who hosts. Perhaps your fervor to see Conan host has biased your opinion?


I like Hugh as an actor/entertainer above his portrayal of Wolverine. I have seen his performances in hosting the Tonys and can say without reservation he has the comedy chops to pull this off. He is far more versital that any other viable option. He is also current and relevant with what's been happening in Hollywood.

I personally am sick of the one dimensional roast/strokefest the Oscars have become. Variety is exactly what the ceremony needs and Hugh is just the personality to do it. Not only is he capable, think of all the audiences to which the man appeals. Fanboys, action fans, romantics, cartoons and even musicals. The guy can and has done it all. The boost in the ratings will be phenomenal I would bet. Maybe even restore the event to the gala it once was.

In any event just because he can sing and dance doesn't mean he will. Although I think it is a huge waste to not incorporate all of the man's talents.

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.

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.

I was serious about wanting to see Bale and Jackman do a number together. With all the attention going to Superhero movies recently why not have a musical number poking fun at the genre. You could throw RDJ in the mix. I think it could be comedy gold if done right. Maybe even make heroes a theme for the Oscars.

I haven't been interested in watching the Oscars in a very long time. With Hugh hosting I will tune in.

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.