The second the duo started to win over the Dolby Theater audience you could predict the tweets clamoring for Haddish and Rudolph to host next year’s Oscars. And, listen, we are all for it, but we’d be shocked if it happens. Wouldn’t you be? It’s actually why we tweeted that NBC should get them to host the next Globes because that’s a much more realistic wish (Rudolph still has a development deal with NBC, right?). And, no, it’s not about having two women as hosts or two women of color or the fact Haddish is already hosting the MTV Movie and TV Awards in May (although maybe that will help). There’s significantly more reasons why it’s a longshot than that.
Almost every year the Oscar producers select some truly funny comedians or comediennes to present. From Ben Stiller to Amy Poehler to Robert Downey, Jr. to Tina Fey to Sacha Baron Cohen to Jack Black to Will Ferrell there always seems to be a bunch of presenters who have everyone hoping they’ll eventually host after a laugh out loud five minute bit. You may be surprised to learn that some of them have been asked and decidedly turned it down (Stiller is known for having said no at least more than once). The Academy has always known that truly funny emcees work best because that’s why they tried to get Eddie Murphy to host in 2012 (Billy Crystal eventually stepped in at the last minute) and thought Seth MacFarlane might work the following year (whoops). And this isn’t even something recent. It’s why Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Martin became rotating fixtures along with Crystal for a decade and why Robbin Williams, Chevy Chase and even Richard Pryor were part of hosting teams in the 80’s. That multi-host setup has rarely worked, but it at least generated some excitement. Outside of Haddish, Rudolph, del Toro’s speeches and France McDormand this show had little of that.
Would ABC and the Academy allow Haddish to his with Rudolph or anyone for that matter? Most likely not. At the Fox Searchlight post party word was already going around how Academy brass were happy with the show and discussing bringing back producers Jennifer Todd and Mike De Luca for a third year (it’s unclear they actually want to, however). And while hosts rarely three-peat, that could mean Kimmel’s return to. Of course, that was before the ratings came in and we’re not sure even ABC thought they would go this low.
But, sure, blame it on the lack of box office hits or a slew of older nominees and expected winners. It couldn’t be the promotion or the return of Kimmel that disinterested viewers, right? I’m sure ABC and the Academy have all sorts of polling and research that pushed them in that direction, but the ratings and ambivalence of this year’s “90th Anniversary” show and recent events have to make them realize change is needed. It’s a new era for Hollywood and it looks like it’s time for a new era for Oscar hosts too.
Oh, and please remind us if we end up writing this same story in another five years. We’re slightly concerned this is an issue that won’t be going away anytime soon.
