“You know what they say – the third time’s the charm,” quipped popular daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, referring in this case to hosting the Oscars. After much hand wringing and speculation, DeGeneres has been selected as next year’s host, her second – not third – time landing the gig. She previously hosted the 79th Academy awards in 2007.
Which does put her one step closer to a third turn as emcee, which would be rarefied air indeed. Though she’s nowhere near Billy Crystal’s nine turns playing host, or still yet, Bob Hope’s astounding nineteen, a third turn, if it came, would make her just the tenth person in the history of the awards show to host as many times. Others currently sitting at two include The Daily Show host Jon Stewart, who bookended DeGeneres’s appearance with his own in both 2006 and 2008, Jane Fonda (’77 and ’86), and Chevy Chase (’87 and ’88).
DeGeneres was announced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who produced last year’s (this year’s?) Seth MacFarlane-hosted show, and will again be in charge of the next one. After a year trying to capture the younger demographic with MacFarlane, Degeneres does seem like somewhat of a safe choice. No doubt she’ll turn out the viewers, but the target demographic would seem to be much different this time around.
It’s official: I’m hosting the #Oscars! I’d like to thank @TheAcademy, my wife Portia and, oh dear, there goes the orchestra.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 2, 2013
The 86th Academy Awards are scheduled to air March 2 of next year.
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