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Seth MacFarlane is hosting the Academy Awards.

God help us, who ever thought we’d be typing THOSE words?

The grinning mischief-maker behind the not-so-warm-and-fuzzy teddy bear of Ted, and the animated hits Family Guy, American Dad and The Cleveland Show will be the emcee of the 85th annual Oscars on Feb. 24, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today.

It’s a bold and unexpected move, especially since he has never hosted another awards show, although MacFarlane proved himself more than capable on live TV with a recent Saturday Night Live hosting gig, which in retrospect would seem to be a major part of this Academy Awards audition.

The Oscars tend to like their hosts to have some kind of movie background — think Billy Crystal, Hugh Jackman, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, or even the ill-fated work of James Franco and Anne Hathaway. TV-only hosts have sometimes felt out-of-place, such as David Letterman’s infamous flop in the mid-1990s.

Others have straddled both worlds — such as Ellen Degeneres, Chris Rock, or Jon Stewart (who loves to mock his undistinguished filmmography,) and MacFarlane would fit this category. His Ted, which he wrote, directed, and produced — in addition to voicing the big fuzzy lead — made $434 million worldwide this summer. In Hollywood’s eyes, that means … Welcome to being a movie guy, Seth!

Fans of MacFarlane’s work also know he has a long, respected history of absolutely skewering pop culture at every possible opportunity, which for viewers will make him an ideal host who could pop a pin into the self-important blow-hardery that can sometimes accompany prestigious awards shows. Also, maybe Ted and Stewie Griffin will make an appearance in some capacity. (Hey, it happened at the Emmys.)

The Oscar ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre in the Hollywood & Highland complex, with Don Mischer, who co-produced last year, directing the telecast.

Osiris3657

You should have just posted this in the Oscar host thread in movie talk

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/movie-talk/...-oscars-2.html

mphtrilogy

inspired choice, he was great on SNL

Timber

I might be in the minority but I think the guy is funny. Do not and have not ever watched any of his shows but when I see him on other things he makes me laugh.

PopcornTreeCt

I like this choice a lot. Not a huge MacFarlane fan but his treatment of celebrities is right there with Gervais. Should be interesting.

RichC2

He was a good SNL host, as long as he doesn't do a whole lot of self-promotion it could be a good fit.

Cellar Door

Not a bad choice--couldn't be any worse than some they've had in recent years.

But I'll wager he does the Stewie voice within the first ten seconds on stage. It seems to be kind of a crutch for him.

Pizza

I guess no one in Hollywoodland wants to host the Oscars anymore. The Oscars keeps cheapening its appeal and image.

Matthew Chmiel

We're going to have the most anti-Semitic Oscar ever! Those Jews won't know what's coming!

Draven

I doubt anyone is turning them down. They want young people to watch, and hiring the creator of Family Guy is a way to try and make that happen.

PenguinJoe

I was hoping Jerry Seinfeld would host but Seth MacFarlane could be interesting.

Geofferson

^ I was holding out hope for Jerry to get the gig as well. Not yet sure what to think of Seth hosting.

PhantomStranger

That is basically what is happening. Older people and women are already locked in as Oscar viewers and there is no need to cater to them. Family Guy's fanbase are largely young males, the most desirable advertising demographic possible.

Shannon Nutt

The good news is that Seth is such a pop culture/movie buff that he can probably ad lib some stuff depending on how the show goes.

The bad news is...it's Seth MacFarlane.

superdeluxe

Pretty good year for him. His movie TED was huge at the BO, Dating Emilia Clarke and hosting the Oscars.

mike7162

Hey, I like the guy and I like the animated stuff, but I don't know...
On the one hand, the guy gives off an old Hollywood vibe anyway, so that could work, but I'm not sure he has the gravitas just yet to host. Any effort he makes to be serious will come off as insincere. Then again, I'm one of those old farts the Academy is trying to get away from, so Godspeed to him.

Dr. DVD

I just hope he doesn't do something to get booted, but seeing as how this is huge opportunity for him, I don't think he will. Still, I think it will be something worth watching...

Troy Stiffler

I don't think you're in the minority. Except maybe on this cynical forum. Family Guy and Ted are hugely successful. And Seth is becoming a mainstream celebrity.

astrochimp

Excellent choice.

PatD

Waitaminit. Other people have hosted the Oscars before...PLAGIARISM!!!