Oscars to go back to the classic host this year, a welcome sign

Last year’s Oscars ceremony hit an all-time low with only 10.4 million viewers tuning in to see Nomadland—a phenomenal film—take home the Academy Award for Best Picture, despite it being a banner year for women directors. Granted, the award show tried its best broadcasting during a pandemic that hit the entertainment industry pretty hard.

The Academy Award ratings have been declining every year at a rapid rate, with the 2021 show bringing in less than half the viewers from the year before. Hosts have routinely done well for the award ceremony, with the last one, Jimmy Kimmel, playing to higher ratings as well as favorable reviews. Kimmel emceed the glamour affair 2017 and 2018 to not fantastic numbers, but far better than the last few host-less years. His particular rivalry with Matt Damon also played as a fun, running gag during the ceremony.

Kevin Hart was tapped to follow up Kimmel in 2019 but was canceled due to controversy over his homophobic tweets, making that year the start of the no-host trend for the glittering affair. Celebrity cameos were employed the last few years, with little success. It is a welcome sign that the show’s producers have decided to return to a more classic format, although the particular host is yet to be announced.

"“You heard it here first,” Craig Erwich said during the winter Television Critics Association virtual press tour, President of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, which will telecast the production. “Will really has his pulse on popular culture and entertainment. I know he has a lot in store and we’ll have more details to share soon.”"

Fun past hosts have included Ellen DeGeneres in 2014 (although she would likely make a poor choice due to her controversies), Chris Rock in 2016, Neil Patrick Harris in 2015, Seth MacFarlane in 2013 (who was OK), and the abysmal pairing of James Franco and Anne Hathaway in a sad attempt to lure younger viewers in 2011. But of course, there was the esteemed standard-bearer, Billy Crystal, in 2012—his last stint as host—who remains the gold standard since Bob Hope and Johnny Carson popularly emceed for many years.

Since the announcement, there have been some amusing suggestions for 2022 hosts thanks to Twitter, including:

Kermit the Frog:

Interesting self-promotion from Spider-Man Tom Holland:

My personal fav, the cast of What We Do in the Shadows (come on, they would be hilarious):

Cute couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski:

Another fav, Schitt’s Creek alums Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy:

Hosting the awards does seem like a thankless role, but I’m holding out hope that a talented dynamo can bravely take it on and redefine the emcee role. The best hosts seem to walk a fine line of poking fun at the celebrity audience members in attendance while also reminding those at home about the glamour of the film industry. However, this will prove even more challenging during a pandemic where so many of those watching at home have had their share of troubles. In addition, adopting a new way of telecasting the ceremony will likely be called for during a time when COVID cases have surged and COVID protocols will be in place, in whatever live format the Oscars will take on.

Glenn Weiss will direct the Academy Awards for a seventh year while Will Packer will serve as executive producer. The telecast is scheduled to air on Mar. 27 on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. In another nod to its former glory, the ceremony will return to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Kristen Stewart (as Lady Di in Spencer) and Lady Gaga (for House of Gucci) are considered stiff competition for nominations. For more predictions, check out the latest W Magazine photoshoot of contenders. Oscar nominations will be announced on Feb. 8.