Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Rumor Mill: Billy Crystal to Host the Oscars?
Move over, Muppets, Billy Crystal is going to be the host for the 84th Academy Awards. At least, so says Crystal on his Twitter account.
In what reads as a bit of self-deprecating humor, Crystal Tweeted today:
So far, there has been no official announcement from the Oscars about a new host, who quickly rallied after losing producer Brett Ratner to his own poor taste to replace him with veteran producer Brian Grazer. Just one day after Ratner's exit, actor Eddie Murphy backed out as host of the February 26, 2012 extravaganza.
Crystal, a past host, could be Grazer's pick among the pool of talent; for six of Crystal's Oscars gigs, the late Gil Cates served as his producer. Crystal hosted the Academy Awards broadcast in 1990-1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2004; and he reportedly turned down hosting the 2006 ceremony to concentrate on his one-man show, 700 Sundays.
Can we believe Crystal's own hype? We'll see.
UPDATE 2:04 PM: The Academy Re-Tweeted Crystal's "host" Tweet, and other sites, like Deadline Hollywood, are confirming the rumor.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
