I’ll admit that this is a choice I didn’t see coming, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have announced that Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane will be the host of next February’s 85th Annual Academy Awards.
You can read all the promotional quotes from MacFarlane, whose feature film directorial debut Ted earned over $420 million at the world wide box office this summer, and others in the press release below, but it should be noted that Deadline is reporting that MacFarlane’s recent hosting of Saturday Night Live was seen by the Oscar’s telecast producers as a bit of a tryout for the gig.
Personally, I think it is an inspired choice and MacFarlane’s love of the bygone era of Hollywood and show business in general that occasionally rears its head on Family Guy will serve him well here.
Now I know that there are some who are not fans of the general humor of Family Guy and MacFarlane’s other shows American Dad and The Cleveland Show who are going to automatically have a negative, knee-jerk reaction to this. They will decry his hiring as a harbinger of an awards show that will be nothing but wall-to-wall crass humor. And I think that these people couldn’t be further wrong about what MacFarlane will do if they tried.
Much like Howard Stern did with his judging stint on this past season of America’s Got Talent, I believe that MacFarlane knows what an appropriate level for the awards show is and will keep his material there. Look at the seriousness he brought to his album where he sang various big band hits. I guarantee you that he won’t be as raunchy as he got when he was hosting roasts over on Comedy Central.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Seth MacFarlane will host the 85th Academy Awards®, telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. This will be MacFarlane’s first appearance on Oscar’s stage. The 85th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on Oscar® Sunday, February 24, on the ABC Television Network.
“We are thrilled to have Seth MacFarlane host the Oscars. His performing skills blend perfectly with our ideas for making the show entertaining and fresh,” said Zadan and Meron. “He will be the consummate host, and we are so happy to be working with him.”
“It’s truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars,” said MacFarlane. “My thoughts upon hearing the news were, one, I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set forth by my predecessors; and two, I hope they don’t find out I hosted the Charlie Sheen Roast.”
“Seth is unbelievably talented,” said Academy President Hawk Koch. “We couldn’t be happier with the creative team we’ve assembled. With Craig, Neil, and now Seth, we’re off to a great start.”
MacFarlane made his feature directorial debut this summer with the box office success “Ted. “He also co-wrote and produced the film, and voiced the title character. “Ted” has brought in over $420 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
MacFarlane is the creative force behind the television series “Family Guy” and co-creator of “American Dad!” and “The Cleveland Show. “In September he hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the first time, for the show’s 38th season premiere. An accomplished live performer, MacFarlane has played to sold-out audiences at London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Carnegie Hall. In 2011 he released his debut album, “Music Is Better Than Words,” which earned two Grammy® nominations. He also has earned 13 Emmy® nominations and won two for his work on “Family Guy.”
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®. Don Mischer will direct the telecast for the third consecutive time. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.
