Seth MacFarlane Explains Why No One Wants to Host the Oscars
Days after Kevin Hart resigned as the host of the upcoming Oscars, the Academy is still scrambling to find a host for the ceremony in February. As of now they have no one for the job, and according to reports, it might stay that way, with the Academy exploring the option of having no host at all (which would at least cut an unnecessary hour from the bloated event).
As the 91st Academy Awards hangs in the balance, Seth MacFarlane-who hosted the event in 2013 to mixed results-explains to Entertainment Weekly why no one wants the job:
“Look, it’s a gig that has all eyes on it. And when you’re doing something that’s that much in the spotlight, with that much focus on it, that much intensity, you’re going to have a lot of opinions from a lot of people. I’m trying to think of the last time that I read a review of the Oscars the next day where everyone is raving about it-it’s been a long time.”
It's true. After the 2017 Best Picture debacle, Jimmy Kimmel vowed to never return as host. But then he broke his promise in 2018, and returned for a smooth but very weird ceremony. You have to give him credit for returning to what's a thankless job that's impossible to win.
As MacFarlane told EW:
“The thing about award shows in general is, it’s kind of a dusty format. It’s a format that’s about as current as the 1950s variety show format. There’s always an effort to make it interesting and exciting to viewers who are used to a very different entertainment landscape in the modern era, and it’s often times fitting a square peg in a round hole. So it’s not an easy job, and I’m not surprised that they have a tough time finding takers.”
These award shows are consistently proving why they are an antiquated tradition. From scandals to downright baffling choices, to dwindling viewers-they're rapidly fading institutions.
Although MacFarlane does admit, “It’s fun! It’s a fun gig. I’ll tell you that much.”
At least one person is enjoying themselves.
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