The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is still on the search for its 2019 Oscars host. They had one, comedian Kevin Hart, until his years old anti-gay tweets surfaced. He didn't exactly meet their demands in the way of an apology, so he gave up the gig.
To avoid another controversy, here are a few non-controversial hosts that (mostly) everyone can agree on. As you'll see, my list includes current A-listers, as well as several old time Hollywood titans.
Hugh Jackman
Does anyone dislike this man? He can play anyone from a muscle-bulging Wolverine to a singing/tap dancing showman. He's not just a great actor, of course. He's also an all-around nice guy. He hosted the Oscars once, splendidly. Isn't it time The Greatest Showman shows us again what he's made of?
Carol Burnett
Ms. Carol Burnett was and is one of the funniest women in Hollywood. Sure, she's 85, but she's still in the business of making people laugh with her new Netflix show, A Little Help with Carol Burnett. She hosted the Oscars once in 1973. Why not give this living legend the gig again? And if we're lucky, an audience member will ask her to do that famous Tarzan yell.
Anne Hathaway (by herself)
Everyone will agree that Hathaway was the strong link in the hosting duo that was her and James Franco at the 2011 Academy Awards. She had to work overtime to make up for the lackluster Franco, who acted like he didn't want to be there. Since then, she's won her own Academy Award. Let's give her a chance to shine solo.
Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick starred as the year's most popular superhero. He's charming, handsome, and charismatic. If he can save his cherished Wakanda, he can save the Academy Awards.
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Michael B. Jordan
If he has time, that is. Jordan starred in two successful major blockbusters this year. He can do comedy, drama, and anything in-between. He's starred in one or two killer montages. In other words, he's got what it takes.
Tom Hanks
Mr. Nice Guy? (check). Great actor? (check). Funny? (check). I'm actually shocked he hasn't hosted yet. Perhaps he's just too nice to mock anyone in a monologue. Still, I say give him a chance.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet
If any duo could pull it off, it's these two. Not only did they star in one of the most beloved and quoted movies of a generation (Titanic), but they've each won one an Oscar and have 11 more nominations between them. By the way, we already know they'd have better chemistry than Hathaway and Franco. (Sorry to keep harping on those two, but good grief.) If DiCaprio and Winslet pull it off, perhaps this could be the start of an awards ceremony that each year features another iconic duo like...
Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis
They jumped off a cliff together. I'm pretty sure they can handle emceeing an awards ceremony.
Idris Elba
Since Mr. Elba is being volunteered for everything these days, I thought I'd put his name down for this function too. By the way, he's this year's Sexiest Man Alive, so if ABC is hoping to boost ratings...
Maya Rudolph
There's no rhyme or reason to this one. I just think she's so darn funny.
Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig
If this comedic duo gets even a quarter of the laughs they got for their outrageously funny cameo at the 2013 Golden Globes, we'd be in for a treat. Especially if the cameraman pans to Mr. Tommy Lee Jones again.
Billy Crystal
C'mon, you knew he'd make the list. When in doubt, ring the guy who successfully hosted the Oscars not once, not twice, but nine times. And without a major blunder. Jimmy Kimmel hosted twice and already oversaw one of the biggest scandals in the show's history.
Better yet, Billy is hands down people's choice, according to recent polling.
Honorable Mention
Dame Julie Andrews
How I wish I could put her at the top of the above list. Unfortunately, her botched throat surgery in the late 1990s stripped her of not just her singing ability, but her ability to project her voice. Still, as more than one movie lover has observed, this woman exudes class. On the heels of the Mary Poppins sequel, asking the original singing nanny to host the Oscars would be a wonderful surprise. She is charming, witty, delightful, and....what other word am I thinking of?...oh yeah, Supercalifragilisticexpi
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