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Hugh Jackman is Hosting the 81st Academy Awards!

by Alex Billington
December 12, 2008
Source: Deadline Hollywood, USA Today

Only yesterday Nikki Finke revealed that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences wanted someone "way outside the box" to host the Oscars, and now today, multiple reports have come flooding in naming the new host - Hugh Jackman. While he's not a comedian, Jackman is probably the best damn choice I could've ever imagined, as he's literally one of the greatest actors and greatest people on this planet. Deadline Hollywood was the first to break the news, and mentions that Jackman won't take the job unless there aren't jokes, as we reported yesterday. USA Today has also confirmed that Jackman will be hosting the Oscars, making this all quite a reality. So what do you think? Will you definitely be tuning in now?

I think what makes Hugh Jackman the perfect host in my mind is that literally everyone is familiar with him and no one has anything against him. He's loved by nearly every age group, both sexes, and all races. And to top it off, he's starring in X-Men Origins: Wolverine next summer, which will certainly get younger audiences to actually watch the show (and now we might even get a special Oscars-only Wolverine trailer). Yesterday I predicted that it would be someone younger - but I was wrong. Instead, we've got Hugh Jackman, not only the sexiest man alive, but one of the greatest actors alive. I was already quite excited for this year's Oscars, but now I can't wait until next February! It's going to be one hell of a year!

Explore tags: Awards News, Movie News

bltzie

meh... this is gay
Tim Proby

What do they call you... wheels? This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.
troy

the host wont be the reason i tune in, it depends on what is nominated as to how many people will watch, with out TDK getting at least 3 nods, the people wont tune in. this isnt nearly as radical of choice as say the mtv video awards this fall with russel brand. that got people to tune in even though the rest of the show sucked.
Staatz

It does seem like Alex has a little bit of a man crush... That aside though I think he would be a fine host, though I am a little sad the Oscars seem to be pushing comedy father into a cultural ghetto
Darunia

He is a "stage actor" so he will do well. And yes, he's one of the most likable actors in hollywood, and he's light hearted and funny so, good choice.
Derek

I like the idea, I have no problem with him, he is a good actor.
Quanah

#5 is right. Now, Darunia, can I have my $20. It'll be nice to see twinkletoes do the "genetically mutated 2 step" he learned from Professor Charles Xavier. That was before Lucifer dropped the stone on Xavier's legs crippling him. Unfortunately, Hugh Jackman doesn't remember Professor X getting crippled--He tried to block the 3 ton bolder with his head.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

#4 - Won't deny that... He is pretty incredible man, from The Fountain to Australia to Wolverine.
sng. Sheep

Well thi bought Cox atleast a 15min rant ) My favorite is always billy crystal, i love the guy in pretty much anything[even my giant, which i thought was quite good], and he's at his best at the oscars, but i guess it wouldn't hurt to experiment a little....Unless They repeat the DeGeneres experiment again )
http://www.theaterhopper.com Tom Brazelton

I think this is a good idea. The Academy needs to get away from comedians trying to entertain everyone. I'm SO glad Billy Crystal hasn't hosted in a while. Those parody musical numbers were killing me!
Alfredo

That's what I was thinking too. What's the problem with jokes and comedy? Why does the Academy seem to be pushing it farther and father away? It's not a damned funeral people. Lighten up. Don't make me quote a certain green-haired dude.
Alfredo

oh btw I agreeing with #4, not with #10
vic

wtf? what's that about? What was wrong with the jokes? Just how lame are the oscars going to be?
Ingrid

I say three cheers. I have no problem with comedy during the Oscars. I'd like them to bring it back. I'm looking forward to seeing the Oscars, after this news, for the first time in years.
b

The jokes are always hammy, but that's the deal. One-liner and then, "I'm just kidding, Jack. He's a legend" (applause, Nicholsen points at host in light-hearted intimidation). But, is this lengthy handjob going to be able to replace the heavy-handed montages of glory with no humor at all? You know they're gonna parade out the Apatow gang to give out doc Oscars and dirty jokes. So there's that for jokez. They're adding musical-theater requirements in Jackman's contract as we speak. No way they're not going to make this hunky monkey dance. At least we're over the vaudeville-Comic Relief horror-show. Progress!
http://www.youtube.com/snears Nick Sears

I agree, I think he's one of the best actors of our generation. He has a draw towards every range of demographic. With his experience in theater, he'll have no problem carrying his weight throughout the show. The 'No Jokes' request is weird(unless I'm reading it wrong). Maybe he doesn't want to be handed a script where its just ripping on other celebs/current events. I can see him wanting to bring a 'classier' vibe back to the oscars, as if he's taking it back to its roots. Plus, I can see him doing at least 3 different show-tunes kinda performances. He'll slay it til the end.
Tyler

Uh oh... Dr. Cox is gonna flip shit...
Squeak

I was just about to say I know of one person who hates Hugh Jackman... I, on the other hand, love the man, although I'm also not sure why the jokes are now suddenly loathed. I still love the Jack Black and Will Ferrell "Get Off the Stage" song. Actually, come to think of it, the reason I tune in for the beginning is the jokes. I do hope the Oscars aren't missing something this year because it lacks them...I often get irked at Hollywood taking itself too seriously, and without a little self-deprecation, I feel like this year's Oscars might become tiresome.
dom

Well thats the end of second class comedians doing the job - and yet another role/job for the already overpaid actor.
Scott McHenry

I'd like to see Jim Caviezel host it
Steven

Do i like Hugh Jackman and his movie choices? Hell yea. Do i like the idea of him hosting the oscars? Not really. I actuaaly think Jon Stewart did a pretty decent job last year, and i was looking forward to seeing which funnyman they'd go with this year. The jokes help and come in handy at those long boring parts where the show feels like it's dragging. Not a bad idea putting Wolvie in as the host, but not a very good one either.
http://google xerxex

I think this is probably one of the best choices to host the Academy Awards! Hell I have a man-crush on Jackmen as well! We all do and if anybody says no there freaking liars! : )
http://www.c-r-u-x.de c-r-u-x

I completely agree with Alex - Jackman is one of the very finest actors on this planet and seems to be a likeable character through and through. Moreover, with him being a stage actor I'm sure he will perform great at hosting the Oscars! I'm pretty sure I'll turn in this time - the last couple of years the Oscar ceremony didn't interest me enough for me to stay up until far after midnight (I live in Germany^^) but Hugh Jackman and hopefully good nominations this year will.
scm1000

"one of the greatest people on the planet"--hyperbole much? seriously, nice guy, but how boring is this gonna be with no jokes? maybe it'll be shorter...
lolwut

Well, they better shorten the Oscars then. It's going to get boring even quicker without jokes to break up the monotony of sappy, insincere celebrity ass kissing.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

I hope all of you who don't think this is a good choice plan to eat your words on February 22nd!
max

Good decision in my opinion! He's a fun guy to watch, good looking and seems like a real gentleman... And i'm sure hes kind of a lady's man so he'll have jokes in every pocket. Will be tuning up for the oscar "night" (On at like 2am-7am in Finland A must every year x)).
tzarinna

I can't get into this guy. I don't know what it is. Great job in "The Fountain" but I really can't get into him.
http://www.xfire.com/blog/gdntd Deepak T

Superb.. Yes, will watch the Oscars just for Hugh.
ImaginaryVisionary

Wow I didn't realize this many people had man-love for Hugh Jackman! I'm with Dr. Cox on this one. I think he's a decent actor, but I could care less about him otherwise. And I think if you step outside your home in movie geekdom you'd find that other than celebrity obsessed females the rest of the world doesn't either. And that is what makes him an odd and borderline poor choice for the Oscars. He's somewhat of a middle of the road off the beaten path actor that some people probably might not even be familiar with aside from "oh yeah, he's the guy that played Wolverine." No Jokes? Terrible idea. We live in a country that likes to see their celebrities fail. It may not be a good thing, but it's a true fact, and a big draw of the Oscars is celebrities making fun of themselves. We tune in for the winners and .....the losers. If you're not a movie buff the Oscars aren't that entertaining. Taking the humor out, makes it even less entertaining, which means less viewers. Which means that the Academy better give the Dark Knight the nominations it deserves otherwise this will be one of the lowest rated Oscars ever. Because I guarantee you people are going to do two things. 1- Informally and independently boycott watching the Oscars if the Dark Knight isn't nominated. 2 - Only tune in to see if Heath Ledger wins, and the supporting actor award is typically given early in the show. If the Dark Knight is nominated in a lot of categories I think that alone will propel the show and the host won't matter, but if it's not Jackman isn't going to be a huge draw...and the other potential film nominee's aren't going to be either.
werdnafaz

GO Hugh!!
werdnafaz

Jacko is a funny boy you people aint seen nothing yet you miserable haters
http://www.c-r-u-x.de c-r-u-x

I suggest you stop deleting "keagan remly"'s critical comment since deleting it again and again is not the right way to respond to such criticism. And given the fact that everyone who has subscribed to the comments of the articles he posts his comment to get the comment via email the impression might arise that he is not too wrong in his conception - considering you think it necessary to keep his opinion hidden from the public.