James and Anne go to the Oscars

To feed the Oscar fever some more, here's my take on this year's Awards Night hosts: James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Have you seen the teaser videos showing James and Anne prepping to host the event?

They're training like athletes (to the tune of Rocky's theme)—even for a potential wardrobe malfunction, which James attacks with gusto! I found it to be quite engaging—especially since I'm more used to seeing older and more established stars (the likes of Billy Crystal or Steve Martin) hosting the Academy Awards. According to Oscar producers Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer, the controversial choice of younger hosts was made to represent the new generation of Hollywood stars, who are “fresh, exciting and multi-talented.” Some critics think that it doesn't respect the old Hollywood Oscar glamor. In my view, however, it's a wise, calculated move to encourage younger fans into watching the broadcast. For a long time, awards night ratings were spotty, even if the Oscar Awards is still considered the international film industry's most high profile awards ceremony.But there had been signs that the Oscar producers were looking into shaking things up. Last year's show was co-hosted by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. The year before that, it was hosted by Hugh Jackman. I'm thinking they're mixing up the wins of the 2009 and 2010 choices by coming up with another hosting pair, but younger.

I've seen that there is palpable chemistry between James and Anne. Both also seem to have a knack for comedy. It should be an interesting, fresh show. I just hope Lady Gaga won't be in it. One other thing that makes this year's Oscars interesting is that James is also a nominee (some say a sure win) for Best Actor for his work in Danny Boyle's 127 Hours. If he wins, he won't be the first nominated Oscar host to do so, though. There have been two (technically, three) before him, all of whom won before he was even conceived. In 1938, host Frank Capra won Best Director for You Can't Take it With You. Not only was he the host, he was also Academy president. His film also won Best Picture. That must have been some night for him. In 1958, David Niven was one of six Oscar hosts. Yes, six. He won Best Actor for Separate Tables. That year, despite having six hosts, the Oscars ended 20 minutes early. The organizers, thinking it was going to go on forever, cut some musical numbers and ended up cutting too much material. Finally, in 1952, Bob Hope was given a special honorary award “for his contribution to the laughter of the world, his service to the motion picture industry, and his devotion to the American premise.” Bob was never nominated for any of his film performances, but he hosted the Academy Awards ceremony 18 times. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored him with four honorary awards.If James loses, he wouldn't be the first either. Michael Caine lost to Marlon Brando (for The Godfather) in 1972, the year the latter boycotted the ceremony in protest for the Native Americans. In 1975, Walter Matthau lost to Jack Nicholson (for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest). And, in 1986, Paul Hogan (nominated for the screenplay of Crocodile Dundee) lost to Woody Allen (for the screenplay of Hannah and Her Sisters). My fearless forecast, though, is that James Franco will win. It's going to be an interesting show!

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