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CATEGORIES Movie News
He's more than just a Fam-ily Guy! The Academy announced that funnyman Seth MacFarlane will be hosting the 85th annual Academy Awards.

This is MacFarlane's first time leading Hollywood's biggest event. Last year, consummate host Billy Crystal emceed, making it the actor's ninth time on stage.

The Academy released a statement on its website earlier today:

"We are thrilled to have Seth MacFarlane host the Oscars. His performing skills blend perfectly with our ideas for making the show entertaining and fresh," said Zadan and Meron. "He will be the consummate host, and we are so happy to be working with him."

"It's truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars," said MacFarlane. "My thoughts upon hearing the news were, one, I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set forth by my predecessors; and two, I hope they don't find out I hosted the Charlie Sheen Roast."


Last year, veteran Oscar writer Bruce Vilanch explained that he believes hosting "SNL" can be a good barometer for the Oscars. He spoke to NYMag after Anne Hathaway and James Franco's wince-worthy stint on stage. "I told them what I thought. I liked the two of them [James and Anne], and what I like about them is they both hosted Saturday Night Live successfully, and what that meant is they knew all about working live, with little rehearsal, with many script changes, and a lot of pressure. And that's sort of half of the job right there of the Oscar show."

This should come as good news for MacFarlane who hosted "SNL" this past month, and "dazzled" audiences.

The 85th Academy Awards will air Sunday, February 24.

[via Oscars.org]

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