I sing and dance. So what?!
With several other awards shows failing to entertain over the past few years, the Oscars will be sharpening its claws--its adamantium claws--to deliver a watchable event. Rawr! Down Under actor and surprisingly adept singer and dancer Hugh Jackman has been chosen as the host of this year's Academy Awards ceremony, replacing political comedian Jon Stewart, the Associated Press reports.
"Hugh Jackman is a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star," said the show's producers Bill Condon and Laurence Mark. "He also has style, elegance, and a sense of occasion. Hugh is the ideal choice to host a celebration of the year's movies and to have fun doing it."
Jackman first found fame in the US playing the hirsute Wolverine in the X-Men movies, and most recently costarred with Nicole Kidman in the epic film Australia. He's also responsible for one of television's most embarrassing moments, the quickly canceled Viva Laughlin, which he adapted and starred in.
With Jackman onboard, early reports say that this year's Oscars will have a completely new look and feel, and will abandon the dude-on-stage-making-jokes format of years past. And with Jackman's stage background (he's a Tony Award winner), that just may involve a whole lotta singing and dancing and crooning and prancing.
The 81st Academy Awards will be held on February 22.
What do you think of this choice? And how would you make the Oscars worth watching?
I think he'll do a good job hosting. Just didn't expect him to be hosting though.
Hugh Jackman - who'da known?
hopefully he'll do fine...
I think he'll do well as the Oscars host.
I wouldn't say he "starred" in Viva.
And Jon Stewart was the best host. He should be asked back. The last thing they need to change about it is add musical numbers to make the event even LONGER!
Hugh can sing, dance, and act. He's entertaining, humorous and versatile. He can be heart breakingly serious and outstandingly funny. He's charming and so likeable. They could not have made a better choice especially because he'll inject a lot of life in the Oscars which lets face it as glamorous as they are can be a little high brow and stuffy. Good for them for picking a real sweet heart of an actor that doesn't have to rely on lame stnad up to carry the show.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.Oi, oi, oi!Gosh, I still remember watching the wonderful Hugh Jackman performing show tunes on Hey Hey It's Saturday. The man can sing! It's my humble opinion that Hugh will do a great hosting job. He has a spectacular stage presence and is so very talented.
Besides the initial thought that they should reference this on the next season of Scrubs (I think of Dr. Cox every time I hear the name "Hugh Jackman" LOL), I think that Jackman will do a good job. He is surprisingly good at a lot of things most people wouldn't peg him for, so it will at least draw interest in how he will do, although the host is not entirely the thing that draws in the audience.
it should be good as he's a very talented stage performer, which few americans will be expecting
Well it couldn't hurt... The Oscars (all Award Shows actually) have become painful to watch... I think this will be a pleasant change!
He did a wonderful job hosting the Tony Awards. He's really a talented man and I must say not bad to look at. :)
They better do a "pencil trick" and vote for Heath Ledger.
saw him in Australia- totally melted- totally watching. *marks day-timer*
Totally approve. Love Jackman.
Interesting choice. I approve
I'm not interested in these award shows...
Haha bonezinsc, laughed when I read your comment, yeah Dr.Cox would've gone into 'rant' mode for sure :) I like Hugh Jackman, but think Jon Stewart would be a better host....comedy is his area. Also maybe Conan O'Brien, he did a great job with the emmy's few years back.
It's actually nice. I think he'll be great!
I am over the moon! Thankfully it wasn't Ricky Gervais (a move that would have had me seriously considering switching off). Jackman will bring a sense of real class to the emcee role. He has award host pedigree too, so it seems like a win-win situation. It'll be interesting to see a non-comedian for a change.
Great actor Jackman its so great
:):)
He did a great job hosting the Tony's. He's a great performer. I don't see that he could screw up the Oscars any more than David Letterman.
Interesting choice, I think he'll do a good job. But I would've wanted Ricky Gervais to host!
Yay! The Oscars an award show that actually means something unlike the Golden Globes which snubbed two of the best movies this year, those being the Dark Knight and Wall-E. If they get nominated I'll be watching! In other words it's kind of funny to see Wolverine hosting the Oscars, but hey I like Hugh Jackman and I'll just have to see how he does.
It's going to be great
I did NOT see that coming. Hugh Jackman hosting the Oscars....sounds good!
I'm curious to see his performance as host of the Oscars, here's hoping it does a lot better than the abysmal past award shows we've had recently.
Good choice if you ask me, he will bring a sense of class that keeps with the event while at the same time he should make it an event worth watching.
What would Dr. Cox think?
I think Jackman is the right guy for the job. I'd improve the awards by explaining the various aspects of certain awards. For example, who in the outside world knows the difference between the academy award for Best Sound, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing?
Jackman is the best man for the job
Color me interested. I am still a little confused by the choice but excited to see him.
What an odd move. I am not sure how I feel about it. Don't get me wrong- I love Hugh Jackman, but I don't remember the Oscars ever being hosted by someone other than a comedian.
I don't think touting him as "Viva Laughlin star" makes his career any better. Better to talk about him in the X-men movies.
if Wall-e and TDK get nods for best picture then i am happy and set