Oscars’ Hosts Ranked From Worst to Greatest

Jimmy Kimmel can be taking to the stage at Dolby Theater on Sunday to current the 96th Academy Awards, marking the comic’s fourth flip as host.

Over 70 well-known faces have offered the Oscars throughout its 96-year run, however sadly, not all hosts are created equal.

Whereas some stars have gone down in Oscars historical past for his or her glowing wordplay or iconic dance numbers, others are best-remembered for his or her various ranges of cringe.

In honor of Sunday’s ceremony, Newsweek ranks the most effective and worst Oscars hosts on file.

The Worst Academy Awards Hosts of All Time

5) James Franco and Anne Hathaway

Getting two of Hollywood’s largest names collectively to current the Academy Awards could appear to be a no brainer, however James Franco and Anne Hathaway made surprisingly awkward co-hosts in 2011.

The night began effectively sufficient, with the pair joking in regards to the Academy’s reported try to succeed in extra younger folks with Franco’s beauty. Nevertheless, issues shortly went downhill, with the actors having completely zero chemistry.

Whereas an enthusiastic Hathaway clearly tried her finest, Franco checked out half manner via the present, leaving his co-host to overcompensate and making them each look unhealthy.

4) David Letterman

David Letterman could not have been a tremendous host, however not less than he knew it. Throughout a 2020 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the late-night TV legend described his 1995 presenting slot as “an explosion of excrement.”

Though many celebs would die to host the Oscars, the comic wasn’t thrilled in regards to the gig after a tedious expertise presenting the 1986 Emmys. His agent satisfied him to just accept the supply, however an anxious Letterman managed to psyche himself out, resulting in catastrophe.

“Virtually instantly after accepting, I began to comprehend, ‘Oh, geez, what if this does not go effectively?'” the 76-year-old informed THR. “Inside a month, I had an consciousness that, ‘Oh, by the best way, this is not going to go effectively.’ And it turned a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

Letterman started along with his notorious “Oprah-Uma” bit, awkwardly calling out celebs with uncommon first names. The comedy star stated he went into survival mode, repeatedly referencing the failed joke all through the night.

A lot of his different quips about A-listers did not land, with viewers accusing Letterman of getting “ruined the Academy Awards.” Regardless of bombing, Letterman was requested to host the Oscars two extra occasions, which he correctly declined.

3) Neil Patrick Harris

It is unclear precisely what Neil Patrick Harris was going for in his 2015 Oscars’ internet hosting gig.

A few of his quips appeared to poke enjoyable at Hollywood and the Academy’s lack of range, such because the night’s opening joke: “We have fun the most effective and the whitest—sorry, brightest.” Nevertheless, different feedback had been simply plain imply or offensive.

The actor’s poorly-timed crack about documentary filmmaker Dana Perry’s gown, delivered proper after she devoted her win to her late son, sparked outrage on social media, as did his obvious dig at Octavia Spencer’s weight, with the Oscar-winner clearly uncomfortable with the gag.

Harris’s mockery of British actor David Oyelowo’s accent additionally made viewers groan, notably as Harris managed to mispronounce the Selma star’s title a number of occasions.

2) Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase has developed a little bit of a status in Hollywood. The 1980’s icon is reportedly tough to work with and has allegedly been embroiled in a number of behind-the-scenes feuds.

The Saturday Night time Stay star’s stint as Oscars host most likely did little to dispel the rumors. Chase offered the awards in 1988 throughout a Writers Guild of America strike, with the actor managing to offend the viewers along with his opening monologue.

The Nationwide Lampoon alum started the ceremony with “Good night, Hollywood phonies,” along with his follow-up jibe in regards to the author’s strike additionally falling flat.

Chase joked that his monologue had been “generously donated by 5 teamsters,” with the comedy legend by no means managing to win again the gang.

1) Seth McFarlane

Seth McFarlane’s 2013 Oscars internet hosting stint undoubtedly hasn’t aged effectively. It could have been pre-#MeToo, however the actor’s “We Noticed Your Boobs” music managed to enrage a number of massive names directly.

The Household Man creator’s opening quantity listed movies the place actresses appeared topless, with lots of the performers sitting proper there within the viewers.

The road “And Scarlett Johansson, we noticed them on our telephones” was notably unpopular, as nude pictures of the star had lately leaked on-line, whereas film buffs identified that the actresses had been taking part in rape victims in not less than three of the movies listed.

His joke about Jennifer Aniston, during which he recommended the Buddies star had a secret previous as a stripper, additionally precipitated uproar on-line, as did his quip about Chris Brown attacking his ex-girlfriend Rihanna a couple of years earlier.

Whereas discussing Greatest Image nominee Django Unchained, McFarlane stated: “That is the story of a person preventing to get again his lady who has been subjected to unthinkable violence, or as Chris Brown and Rihanna name it, a date film.”

The New Yorker dubbed McFarlane’s gags as “hostile, ugly [and] sexist,” whereas The Guardian merely requested: “What was Seth McFarlane considering?”

The Greatest Academy Awards’ Hosts of All Time

5) Ellen DeGeneres

Bullying allegations from her discuss present workers could have tainted her status, however again in 2014, Ellen DeGeneres was one of many largest comedians on this planet.

Her first try at internet hosting the Academy Awards in 2007 could have been lack-luster, however the TV star shined throughout her second strive in 2014. Though DeGeneres’s jokes had been fairly tame in comparison with different years, her good-natured banter took over the web, serving to to replace the annual ceremony for the digital age.

The comedian was additionally behind that 12 months’s viral Oscars selfie, which included massive names corresponding to Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Lupita Nyong’o and Meryl Streep. On the time, the photograph was the most-shared Twitter put up ever, racking up over 3 million retweets.

4) Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart is one other star to carry out higher the second time round. Whereas his first run as emcee in 2006 was thought of uninteresting and awkward, The Day by day Present host clearly realized from his errors, smashing it in 2008.

The comic poked enjoyable on the latest writers’ strike, which had ended only a few weeks prior.

“I am joyful to say the struggle is over, so tonight, welcome to the make-up intercourse,” Stewart quipped.

Internet hosting throughout an election 12 months, Stewart took a threat along with his materials, giving his jokes a political bend. Nonetheless, his mocking of each Democrat and Republican figures landed effectively, as did his light ribbing of nominees.

Nonetheless, Stewart was maybe most lauded for inviting As soon as’s Markéta Irglová again on stage to complete her speech.

The Icelandic musician received Greatest Authentic Track for “Falling Slowly,” together with collaborator Glen Hansard. Nevertheless, the Irish singer rambled via their allotted time, leaving Irglová to be ushered off earlier than she might even start talking.

3) Whoopi Goldberg

When Goldberg hosted the Oscars in 1994, she was not solely the primary African American to emcee the present, but additionally the primary lady to do it solo.

“Issues are a bit of totally different, the host is carrying a gown and that may be a first,” she informed the gang, earlier than joking: “I obtained it as a result of I appear to cross so many ethnic and political strains. I am an equal alternative offender.”

Unsurprisingly, Goldberg rocked it, occurring to current the awards once more in 1996, 1999 and 2002. Her famed comedic timing was all the time lauded, as was her seemingly unending roster of outrageous costumes.

The actress dressed up as Queen Elizabeth I in 1999 to honor Greatest Image winner Shakespeare in Love, and descended from the ceiling in a shiny leotard and feathers as a tribute to Moulin Rouge in 2002.

In an interview with Selection in 2021, Goldberg stated she “had a good time” as host, touchdown an Emmy nomination in 1994 for her efforts.

2) Billy Crystal

Billy Crystal was so beloved by Oscars’ audiences, he hosted the present 9 occasions between 1990 and 2012.

The actor clearly adored the gang as a lot as they did him, telling Folks in 2021: “I had so many nice reminiscences internet hosting the present. It was a historical past of cinema for me.”

Crystal’s 1998 efficiency was the most-watched Academy Awards broadcast ever, however the comic can be chargeable for among the Oscars’ most memorable moments.

The filmmaker was wheeled on stage in a hand truck in 1992 for his parody of Hannibal Lector, following Silence of Lambs’ Greatest Image nomination, whereas his hilarious “What the Stars Are Considering Gag?”—during which Crystal pretended to learn the minds of celebrities within the viewers—precipitated thunderous laughter and applause.

Nevertheless, his opening song-and-dance numbers about nominees, set to tunes from the Nice American Songbook, turned his signature transfer. When Eddie Murphy dropped out of internet hosting the 2012 awards present on the final minute, Crystal was requested to step in, reviving his iconic musical performances.

“You did not assume I wasn’t going to do that?” he informed the gang, earlier than poking enjoyable on the 12 months’s contenders.

1) Bob Hope

No celeb has hosted the Oscars extra occasions than Bob Hope. The comic first took to the Academy Awards stage in 1940 and would emcee one other 18 reveals by 1978, both with co-hosts or as a solo star.

Helming the first-ever televised ceremony in 1953, the famed humorous man was recognized for his witty one-liners and speedy supply, which he delivered to the Oscars in addition to American troops abroad.

Whereas Hope was presenting the award for Greatest Image in 1966, the Academy shocked the entertainer with a gold medal honoring his legendary internet hosting stints.

After being handed the particular award by Jack Lemmon, Hope requested: “You could not tip me or something, huh?” earlier than joking that anybody who needed to see the trophy wanted to “come to my place, it’s going to be within the shrine.”