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On Wednesday night, Variety reported that the Muppets probably wouldn't be hosting the Oscars. However, you'll need more than an unverified source to stop them -- especially Miss Piggy. Behold the just-released Miss Piggy Oscar ad, which harkens back to the controversial ("controversial") Melissa Leo Oscar campaign earlier this year. Will this be enough to sway the Academy? Probably not! But! For now, check out the new ad, along with our 10 potential replacements for the Oscar host, ahead.
[Photo: Disney]
Gallery | 10 Possible Oscar-Host Replacements
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Ricky Gervais
Odds he hosts: 0.0000000000000000001%
Ricky Gervais and non-controversial Hollywood awards ceremonies go together like Brett Ratner and the Oscars. -
Robert Downey Jr.
Odds he hosts: 4%
A great many Moviefone readers seem to think Robert Downey Jr. would be an ideal Oscars host. Spoiler alert: they're right! Unfortunately, when you're as famous as RDJ, you don't necessarily need or want to put yourself out there doing something you've never done before. The comparable here would be Hugh Jackman hosting in 2009, but don't forget that Jackman has a great deal of experience on stage as a song and dance man. Downey Jr. does not. -
Meryl Streep
Odds she hosts: 27%
With the Academy Awards in the middle of a PR nightmare, who better than Queen Meryl to right the ship. She's an Oscars institution and a beloved Hollywood icon easily capable of charming for the four-plus hours of the telecast. She's also totally non-controversial and someone your mom loves. When picking Oscar hosts, never underestimate the power of mom. (Hat tip to Joe Reid for the suggestion. Check him out on Twitter!) -
Tina Fey
Odds she hosts: 38%
In the newsroom that houses Moviefone HQ, shouts of "Tina Fey will definitely host!" could be heard almost immediately after Murphy stepped aside. The problem? She probably won't. Not because, as some online writers seem to assume, she hates doing this sort of thing, but because she probably won't be hired. Even with a co-host -- perhaps Steve Martin or Amy Poehler -- Fey is still too polarizing and of-a-specific-taste for the general-audience Oscars. You love her, I love her, many don't. -
Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin
Odds they host: 41%
Baldwin and Martin are old pros, but what incentive do either of them have to host again? None is the answer you're looking for. -
No One
Odds: 44%
Before you laugh, consider: the Grammys do it, and -- until Ricky Gervais -- so did the Golden Globes. The last time the Oscars did it was the 61st annual Academy Awards, which are now infamous thanks to Rob Lowe's embarrassing opening number with Snow White. (The sad part: that same number is still relevant today, with Lowe on 'Parks and Recreation' and multiple 'Snow White' movies coming soon.) It's not a perfect solution, but it would allow the Oscars telecast to focus on the stars instead of an individual comic. Maybe that's the best way to make the Murphy/Ratner stink cloud blow over? -
Neil Patrick Harris
Odds he hosts: 67%
Is there a more beloved person in Hollywood at the moment than Neil Patrick Harris? No. Is there a more talented awards-show host than Neil Patrick Harris? Probably not. Is there a better fence-mender for the Oscars to hire, especially in the wake of Ratner's homosexual slur and Murphy's tainted past with the same word? Definitely not. Neil Patrick Harris isn't a movie star, but he should be the Oscars host. Case closed. Of course, Moviefone isn't picking the replacement host, which leaves... -
Hugh Jackman
Odds he hosts: 77%
As Jackman told Grantland back in September, when asked about hosting the Oscars, "I wouldn't have minded doing it this year actually." The guy wants the job! And he's good at it! And people love him! Especially your mom! Hire him. Oh, wait... -
Billy Crystal
Odds he hosts: 89%
Face it: Billy Crystal was born to host the Oscars. He also wants to host the Oscars. He campaigned Ratner to be hired back in the summer, and it's no secret he wants to return -- especially after the standing ovation he got at the ceremonies this year. He's the safe choice, the one many AMPAS members are probably hoping saves this disaster. Whether he will remains to be seen, but if you feel like placing a small bet, don't ignore Crystal. When has Robin Williams steered you wrong? (Other than 'Patch Adams.') -
16. 'The Muppets'
Back in the '80s, there was no stopping these not-quite-puppets; they were a tour de force with both adults and children alike. Knowing the state of remakes and reboots today, 'The Muppets' turned into a surprising hit. Featuring slap-happy performances by humans Jason Segel (who co-wrote the film) and Amy Adams, the little felt protagonists (Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear) warmed hearts as they sang, danced and joked their way across the screen. Hey, a little nostalgia never hurt anyone (see: 'Super 8'). -- C.J.
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