After a tumultuous week, new co-producer Brian Grazer has thrown a hail mary pass to save the 2012 Oscars telecast by bringing back Billy Crystal. But, is this a great idea? The popular comedian, who has hosted the Oscars 8 times, will return for a 9th turn at the podium after Eddie Murphy quit the job earlier this week.
Murphy, in what was seen as a sign of solidarity, informed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences he would be stepping aside after producer Brett Ratner, who hired Murphy, resigned in the wake of a massive controversy he started by uttering a homophobic slur and going on the The Howard Stern Show to tell inappropriate stories about sexual encounters with Lindsay Lohan and Olivia Munn.
After his appearance at the 2011 Oscars, a groundswell of support emerged to bring back Crystal, considered by many to be one of the greatest Oscars hosts in history. One might even argue he made the appearance in an attempt to ask for the job back. However, was this a wise move?
Crystal has been active on Broadway over the past few years, but he
might be using the Oscars show to stage his own comeback. The sequel to
Monsters, Inc. is due in 2013. He has an appearance in this year's The Muppets movie, and is scheduled to star in the comedy Parental Guidance in the fall of 2012.
Yet, I have to wonder if this is a bad idea. Crystal has legendary status for his Oscars hosting performances, and going back to the job could cause him to lose a little bit of luster. It's that age old debate we have in sports about whether or not a superstar tarnishes his legacy by holding on a little too long. Do we have better feelings about Michael Jordan for his short stint in DC? Did Joe Montana look normal in a KC Chiefs uniform?
Plus, it feels like hosting the Oscars is a no win scenario. It will be hard to live up to the expectations, and this is the world of snark and negativity, where millions will be waiting for, hoping for, and interpreting any level of performance as a failure. What can he do that we haven't seen before?
Billy might be about to learn the lesson many of us have before him. Be careful what you wish for.
Yet, I have to wonder if this is a bad idea. Crystal has legendary status for his Oscars hosting performances, and going back to the job could cause him to lose a little bit of luster. It's that age old debate we have in sports about whether or not a superstar tarnishes his legacy by holding on a little too long. Do we have better feelings about Michael Jordan for his short stint in DC? Did Joe Montana look normal in a KC Chiefs uniform?
Plus, it feels like hosting the Oscars is a no win scenario. It will be hard to live up to the expectations, and this is the world of snark and negativity, where millions will be waiting for, hoping for, and interpreting any level of performance as a failure. What can he do that we haven't seen before?
Billy might be about to learn the lesson many of us have before him. Be careful what you wish for.
