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I adore both of these actors and I wish them well with perhaps the most thankless job in Hollywood. I'm a fan of the Oscars and I so want them to do well, but I did have a few thoughts go through my head when reading this announcement.

First, the announcement marked a slight to my choice of host, Neil Patrick Harris. After his surprise appearance at last year's show, he pretty much told the academy "this is how you host" with his hilariously over-the-top song and dance number. Forget Betty White. This is no joke. Neil Patrick Harris is the real deal. The previous host of the Emmys and Tonys is a proven 'showtime' entertainer. He's a mix of classic Hollywood musical and modern sardonic wit. And he's one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2010!

Let me start the campaign right here for Neil Patrick Harris to host the 2012 Academy Awards!!

The second thought I had is the possibility that both hosts have the chance to also be nominees this year. Hathaway is a long shot for Love & Other Drugs, but Franco is a lock for 127 Hours. I'm sure this will provide some awkward banter between the two if one of them isn't nominated.

Another thought that crossed my mind is that it's another pathetic attempt by the Academy to attract younger viewers to the telecast. I guess it could be worse. It could have been Miley Cyrus and Justin Beiber.

And I like the idea of using young hip hosts to attract a wider audience than nominating crappy movies. Unfortunately, it looks like there will still be 10 nominations for Best Picture this year whether there are 10 worthy ones or not.

Finally, hearing the announcement that James Franco is one of the hosts of the Oscars makes me feel like I haven't accomplished enough with my life. Seriously, this guy's a year older than me and he's been nominated for an Oscar already. In the last 2 years he's appeared in 4 films with 3 more to come out next year. Somehow he's found the time to appear in a reoccurring role on General Hospital, hold an exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and publish a collection of short stories called Palo Alto. Meanwhile he's currently a PhD student in English at Yale University!

I bought a car this year. I thought I was doing pretty well.

Ah well, at least I'm taller than him!

Good luck at the Oscars this year, James. Better practice that smile when they announce Colin Firth's name for The King's Speech!

Tags: Walkey Talk, James Franco, Anne Hathaway, Oscars, Academy Awards

Original Comments Posted (1)

GrayArea says...

NPH to host the 2012 Oscars is a GREAT idea!

James Franco is such a great guy that my fondness for him overshadows my raging jealously. He did all that and all I did in 2010 was some traveling and a brain injury. Yay for me!