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The Oscars Get Desperate: Will Anyone Host?
The Academy Awards are facing a crisis: nobody wants to host! With ratings plummeting and big names hesitant to commit, the Oscars are trying a new approach to save the 2025 show. Their solution? Make hosting “easier”.
Instead of the traditional months-long commitment filled with monologues and elaborate bits, the Academy is considering a “Hosting-Lite” gig. This would involve a host simply facilitating the show, while various celebrities would contribute pre-taped segments, musical numbers, and even promotional material for upcoming films. It could potentially turn the Oscars into a “Comic-Con-style extravaganza”, as described by Puck News.
The Academy’s CEO, Bill Kramer, wants to see the show “evolve” and become more dynamic. He envisions the Oscars as a platform for studios and filmmakers to promote their work, appealing to the global film community. But will this be enough to attract viewers, let alone a host?
Apparently, big names at Disney (which owns the network airing the Oscars, ABC) have been approached, including Amy Poehler, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Will Ferrell, Cynthia Erivo, and Ariana Grande. The idea is that even if they decline hosting, they might still agree to participate in some capacity, making the Hosting-Lite role more appealing.
Whether this strategy will solve the larger issue of declining viewership for award shows in the age of streaming remains to be seen. However, it shows just how desperate the Academy is to attract top talent and retain relevance. Will this unconventional approach work, or will the 2025 Oscars go down as another awkward, hostless affair?
I'm Annelise, a film lover and pop culture obsessive sharing my thoughts on movies, fashion, and lifestyle on Instagram. Follow along for film reviews, book recommendations, and a healthy dose of geeking out over all things pop culture.
