Academy Agrees: Franco And Hathaway Were A Poor Choice

[LynneSin]

http://www.studiobriefing.net/2011/03/academy-agrees-franco-and-hathaway-were-a-poor-choice/

March 4, 2011 by admin · View Comments

The selection of James Franco and Anne Hathaway to host this year’s Oscars telecast was a mistake, a high-ranking member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has acknowledged. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the member, who asked not to be identified, said, “A lot of us said Franco, who is a good actor, is the wrong guy when it was announced. … We questioned the TV value of both hosts, and it turned out to be right.” The member also complained about allowing the show’s producers to select the hosts, without any input from the Academy’s board of governors. But Academy President Tom Sherak disagreed, saying “When you hire producers, you have to have confidence they are going to put on the show you are looking for.” Yet Sherak himself voiced discontent with the performance of the two hosts, remarking that “the chemistry seemed to be off” between them and adding: “The problem is, in the past when you have a comic, that comic can play off what happens on the show. … I think that was missing. I think they were doing their job. Franco is a very charming guy, but sometimes you need a comic to make fun of things.”

[OmahaBlueDog]

1. Conan won't be any funnier -- he'll likely be worse

Ditto Leno
They tried Letterman

I think Craig Ferguson could do well.

[Frank Cannon]

2. I wondered why in the hell they didn't get a comedian to do it.

Seemed like a no-brainer to me.

[AngryOldDem]

3. They gave it a good shot.

At least Hathaway did. But I think they both knew they were in over their heads.

[LynneSin]

4. I think Hathaway tried too hard and annoyed the bejesus out of Franco

that's my 2 cents

[barb162]

5. I couldn't agree more. Every time they came on I started a

sudoku.

[JonLP24]

6. I thought Hathaway was great

Franco, not-so-much. But I don't watch award shows for the hosts so take my opinion FWIW.

[Fire Walk With Me]

7. Didn't the academy just get very upset because Ricky Gervais delivered exactly what they're seeking?