Two-Hosted Oscars
Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at 11:12AM News broke this morning that the Oscar ceremony will have two hosts this year. That's only happened twice in the 21st century, but it wasn't always James Franco / Anne Hathaway disastrous...
Alec Baldwin & Steve Martin hosted in The Hurt Locker's year
We can assume the announcement of two means they're already negotiating with a pair. It's not like Oscar to go for sloppy seconds and the last time they did (Neil Patrick Harris) it was a bomb. So don't expect the Golden Globe wonders Amy Poehler & Tina Fey. They'd be excellent but it would be shocking. Here are the previous Oscar ceremonies that used two hosts -- this isn't new as much as the internet is like "whoa, TWO!" this morning -- but it is relatively uncommon in modern Academy Award ceremonies. There have been twelve ceremonies with three to six hosts but let's ignore them because that's a lot of names to type. 11 of the 87 ceremonies have had 2 hosts.
Pre-Televised Ceremonies with 2 hosts
1st Oscars - Douglas Fairbanks & William C deMille (Wings)
5th Oscars - Lionel Barrymore & Conrad Nagel (Grand Hotel)
17th Oscars - Bob Hope & John Cromwell (Going My Way)
18th Oscars - Bob Hope & Jimmy Stewart (The Lost Weekend)
20th Oscars - Agnes Moorehead & Dick Powell (Gentleman's Agreement)
Televised Ceremonies with 2 hosts
In the early days they had a side ceremony in NY so the two host system came in handy
25th Oscars - Bob Hope & Conrad Nagel (The Greatest Show on Earth)
26th Oscars - Donald O'Connor & Fredric March (From Here to Eternity)
27th Oscars - Bob Hope & Thelma Ritter (On the Waterfront)
29th Oscars - Jerry Lewis & Celeste Holm (Around the World in 80 Days)
The Opening of the 27th with Bob Hope in LA and Thelma Ritter in NYC
From the mid 50s to the mid 00s it was either group hosting or just one host
82nd Oscars -Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin (The Hurt Locker)
83rd Oscars - James Franco & Anne Hathaway (The King's Speech)
Which twosome are you hoping for? Here are some other ideas... with absolutely no attention paid to what's actually plausible. Vote for your favorite!
Reader Comments (56)
Can we just have the cast of the new Ghostbusters host something because those ladies cover such different types of comedy and the coming together of the four really could be quite effective.
From the list I'd want to mix Thompson and Jack because the former could bring the comedy and the latter the entertainer you need to host.
Pegg and Frost. A hosting gig is a VERY good way to spotlight cinematic talent that probably won't EVER be able to get a nomination.
I am LIVING for the "Ex Wives of Kenneth Branaugh" host set!!!
@waflanagan
I'm going to say: Louis CK and Emma Stone, just because they both are really funny, their type of comedy are very different, but I think they can be wonderful together... ok, ok, ok... it is because I love redheads.
Eoin -- that would be so great. any bridesmaids combination would do for me. Maya Rudolph & Kristen would also be great fun
since they're airing on abc: kermit and miss piggy
I want Emma Thompson to have her revenge!
OBVIOUSLY KEY AND PEELE
They should just get those naked ladies from Times Square to do it.
I think Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock would be perfect hosting together.
I've always wanted Martin Short to host...pairing him with the dryer Steve Martin may succeed.
However, any pairing means we probably won't be seeing a Kevin Spacey-hosted event this year. I always thought he'd balance both the respect for the ceremony, the humor needed, and the ability to sing and dance that would make an amusing event.
I'm sticking with Streep and Tracey Ullman. I also think Elizabeth Banks/Jon Hamm could work if they wanted something solid but relatively unobtrusive.
Emma Thompson solo would probably be my top choice, but for a pair, I love the idea of Bullock & McCarthy.
Jake and Maggie!
Allison Janney and Anna Faris. They're funny and they can capably bridge movies and TV. I like the idea of Colbert because he can act and sing but he might be too busy with his new gig by then-Who to pair him with that's not Stewart? Also like Nathaniel's suggestion of Maya and Kristen. Or Maya and Christina Applegate (I did enjoy that show Up All Night...). And I really think Chris Rock should get another chance.
Streep is a no because she is generally ill-at-ease on stage at these things (except for the brilliant schtick with Lily for Altman's honorary.) She's way better doing crazy stuff as part of the audience. Branagh's exes is a great combo, though not sure I could stand their wackadoo for 3+ plus hours.
Taraji Henson and Viola Davis!
First of all I want to go back and see those shows hosted by Agnes Moorehead and Thelma Ritter!
My top choice would be Emma Thompson & HBC but since the chances of that happening are remote I'd love to see Hugh Jackman on the stage again maybe with the equally charming Chris Pratt.
WhySoWhite, or even better, Mo'Nique and Taraji.
Lily Tomlin & Steve Martin!
If there is one thing I'm grateful for regarding NPH hosting last year's Oscars, it's that we hopefully won't see him hosting anything else for some time.
Kermit and Miss Piggy
You know which duo will be great: Justin Timberlake & Jimmy Fallon!
Mo'Nique and Lee Daniels. Obvi
No but really i could see them doing Amy Schumer and JLaw which I would love. Or Kristen Wiig and someone else which would also be great
After seeing them together on Graham Norton, where they were both hilarious, how about Samuel L. Jackson and Sandra Bullock? It would be the funniest Oscars ever and lord knows people would watch just to see if Sam drops any f bombs.
J Law and Schumer. or Wiig and McCarthy. YAAASSS!
Amy Schumer and John Cena.
Why not all of them?
Yes, I'm greedy. *lol*
No really, that would be just FUN!
(and completely unrealistic)
Kitana Kiki Rodriguez & Mya Taylor
How about Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin? (Or, better yet, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, with special appearance by Dolly Parton.)
I like the idea of Wiig and McCarthy as they are both previous Oscar nominees. Channing Tatum is actually quite funny, but I don't know if Charlize is the best pairing.
Clearly you all have completely forgotten about the most obvious contenders: Melissa Leo and Kirk Douglas
Speaking of Emma: http://www.vulture.com/2015/09/emma-thompson-on-feminism-trump-and-teapots.html
"If I see yet another Spider-Man, I’m going to have to actually hang myself."
Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett
How about Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell? They've been great together as presenters.
Tituss Burgess and Jane Krakowski, and have them singing a lot! And if Seth MacFarlane can sing about boobs why not respond with a full orchestra rendition of "Pinot Noir"?
I don't really remember Baldwin and Martin, but I'd say Oscar hosts have been-generally-flops since Hugh Jackman in 2009.
I've been rewatching "The Boondocks" lately so my choice is Regina King and Regina King again
I voted for Emma and Helena. Two Great English eccentrics hamming it up.
The Wiig/McCarthy pairing is GENIUS Nathaniel! Such a smart way to tap into the kind of effortless smart girl charm Tina Fey and Amy Poehler brought to the Golden Globes without, as you say, seeming like sloppy seconds. Indeed since McCarthy is now a bonafide movie star, it would be something of an upgrade profile-wisefrom Fey/Poehler. GO WITH THIS ACADEMY!
Please no muppets!!!!! :(
Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock. THE HEAT REUNION!
I would love to see the Muppets host the show but don't see it happening. I could also see Ty Burrell as one half of whatever duo they're entertaining since he is funny, already works for ABC, and is clearly looking to expand his name beyond 'Modern Family.' I don't think being known mostly for TV work would hold him back if the producers thought he would bring the show more viewers.
@Lalaland-Are you trying to fucking kill me? Isn't it enough that I have to endure John Cena in the world of wrestling and now at the Oscars? You're sick.
Got an idea for a fivesome - Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Bill Hader, and Mindy Kaling. In character.
Rupaul and Katya.
If Emma Thompson & Helena Bonham Carter don't host the Oscars - they should at least host the Bafta's.
If I can't have Branaugh's ex wives - then please make it Melissa Macarthy with Sandra Bullock.
Bette Midler & Dwayne Johnson, of course.
Cher and _____.
ConMan that's actually brilliant