jimmy kimmelthe organizer of the last two Oscars and the two others before them (2017 and 2018), and John MulaneyThe host of the most recent Academy Awards has stepped down as host of the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025. will Are the Academy, its Oscars telecast producers (likely the same team overseeing the acclaimed 2024 ceremony, minus Kimmel’s wife) and its broadcast partner ABC all involved in the show – if at all? (They have no hosts in 2019, 2020 and 2021.)
To avoid risk, the academy and ABC often re-engage with previous hosts, but most who have hosted in recent years are never invited back. Forget… James Franco and Anne Hathawayco-hosted in 2011, and Neil Patrick Harris, who got the job in 2015 – they all failed. Many people found the host in 2013, Seth MacFarlane, so undignified (see: his “We See Your Boobs” song). The program is presented by Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and wanda sykes Widely considered unattractive.
Ellen DeGeneres She received rave reviews when she hosted in 2007 and 2014, but her public image has since taken a hit – to the point where she said she was “kicked out of show business”. Alec BaldwinCo-hosted in 2010, polarized politics with ridicule Donald Trump exist saturday night liveand then fell into rust tragedy. and billy crystalhosted nine times between 1990 and 2012, and Whoopi GoldbergHaving served as host in 1999 and 2002, they are now 76 and 68 years old respectively, which does not help the Academy and ABC’s efforts to attract younger viewers to the TV show.
However, four past hosts may still be viable.
78 years old, comedy legend Steve Martin — who served as host in 2001 and 2003 and with Baldwin in 2010 — is now too old to be targeted as a solo host by the Academy. But if the Academy and ABC can convince his longtime comedy partner Martin Short74 years old, and they are 32 years old Only murders in the building supporting role selena gomezHosted with Millennials and Gen Z darlings, it’s going to be a huge hit. (Two things worth noting: ABC and only murder Streamer Hulu shares a parent company with Disney; Gomez is one of this year’s top Oscar contenders. emilia perez.)
Jon StewartHaving hosted in 2006 and 2008, it’s definitely going to be a “get,” and considering he’s only hosting now, he probably has more time on his hands than at any other time in years. daily show One night a week. Still, he’s politically outspoken, which may give the Academy and ABC pause as they make every effort to keep politics out of the Oscars, seeing undeniable evidence of it in the tracking data Will affect the ratings.
chris rockHaving hosted in 2005 and 2016, his popularity remains as strong as ever and it would be a big deal for him to return to the Oscars for the first time after being stunned by applause. Will Smith When the awards are presented in 2022. I suspect many people, including Jenny YangAs the college’s first Asian president, he may want to go in another direction.
Then, there Hugh Jackmanhe hosted the critically acclaimed 2009 awards show—he sang, danced, and even won beyonce Acting alongside him – who happens to be one of the two stars of this year’s biggest blockbusters, Deadpool and Wolverine. Heck, I could even see Wolverine (Jackman) joining Deadpool (Ryan ReynoldsJackman’s close friend) shared the show with him.
My feeling is that the academy does not think need A comedian serves as host, just one or two familiar faces who are popular and seen as cheerleaders for the industry and can help keep things moving. This seems to bode well for Jackman, who nearly everyone considers a great (some would say greatest!) performer, as evidenced by his performances in 2003, 2004, 2005, and It was also evident when hosting the Tony Awards in 2014.
Other options include “The Rock” Dwayne Johnsonnever shying away from the spotlight; Glen Powellthe breakout star of the year, is sure to attract young people to television; john legendprobably with his wife Chrissy Teigen; Emily Bluntpossibly with her autumn guy supporting role Ryan Gosling (They did a great job as co-hosts at the awards show earlier this year); and Tom HanksHaving served on the Academy’s Board of Governors, he remains active in the museum’s affairs and may be able to help if the museum does get into trouble.
If college and ABC Do Finally sticking with comedians, they can go to former late night host and current podcast and travel show host Conan O’Brienthis seems to be the undisputed choice; maya rudolph and Kristen WiigAlone and together, they were a hit when they appeared together on the show in 2020; Chelsea Handlershe honed her hosting skills while hosting the lower-stakes Critics’ Choice Awards in 2023 and 2024; Huang Ali and / or Bill Hadertwo halves of a very interesting couple; or Tiffany Haddishalthough she became a bit controversial.
I can no ABC is expected to greenlight anyone joining Kimmel in the late-night arena (which rules out NBC’s jimmy fallon and Seth MeyersCBS Stephen Colbertand HBO’s John Oliver and Bill Maher) or from rival networks including NBC’s Michael Che or Colin Jostwhich hosted the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in April).
Trevor Noah Now out of the late night game, he might do fine, but he’s become a go-to guy for the Grammys (he’s hosted their last four telecasts), so it seems unlikely he’ll be asked to accept another gig EGOT level award ceremony.
Fans can watch whatever they want Ricky Gervais and Dave Chappelle As hosts, the Academy and ABC will almost certainly avoid them like the plague because they are both anarchic and unpredictable.
Finally, unless they’ve had a major change of heart, you can count some high-profile people who might seem like good hosting candidates, but who have been asked – in some cases by me offered—and made it clear that, for one reason or another, they would never take the job: justin timberlake, Melissa McCarthy, jerry seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, John Krasinski, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
Potential wild cards: Kevin HartOne of the most popular comedians and movie stars in gaming today, he has said it was his dream to host the Oscars and was set to make it happen at the 2019 ceremony, but after his old tweets sparked controversy quit. Hart, who regretted the tweets and remains a fan favorite, said in January that he would never host the Oscars or any awards show, calling them “very cold” and not “suitable for comedy.” . But in May, he hosted a Netflix roast show tom brady, which wasn’t a completely different kind of mission, was a huge hit with the service and went on to be nominated for an Emmy. Maybe Hart, another past Oscar host, david letterman (1995), told me it would be a “genius choice” – would reconsider!
