This Tuesday, a confab is scheduled for Oscar producer Brett Ratner to tell the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences whom he wants to host the Oscars. I’ve learned that Ratner will offer one name to Academy President Tom Sherak: Eddie Murphy. This is by no means a done deal yet, but this is a first step – though a lot more steps have to happen before this becomes a reality. I’m told that a lot of big names have approached the other 84th Academy Awards producer Don Mischer saying they are interested in hosting, and Don is fielding those calls. But insiders tell me that Ratner since getting the Academy Awards producing gig has only been talking to one person: Eddie. It’s been along the lines of, “If the Academy asked you to host, would you accept?” I learned that Eddie is “showing interest”. I do know that Murphy’s Hollywood agency WME thinks it’d be a real coup for Murphy’s dormant career which is about to get a kick-start. That’s because the veteran comedian is starring in the Brett Ratner-directed and Imagine/Universal-produced Tower Heist action laugher with Ben Stiller that opens on November 4th and is receiving great buzz. So Murphy and Ratner already have a close relationship, and this would be a way for Brett to put his personal stamp on 2012′s broadcast. Plus Murphy is starring in the DreamWorks’ dramedy film A Thousand Words scheduled for release on January 12th.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/eddie-murphy-in-talks-to-host-the-oscars/

Beverly Hills, CA — Oscar® nominee Eddie Murphy, whose performing career spans movies, television and the stage, will host this year’s Academy Awards show on Sunday, February 26, 2012, telecast producers Brett Ratner and Don Mischer announced today. This will be Murphy’s first hosting stint on the Oscars®.

“Eddie is a comedic genius, one of the greatest and most influential live performers ever,” said Ratner. “With his love of movies, history of crafting unforgettable characters and his iconic performances – especially on stage – I know he will bring excitement, spontaneity and tremendous heart to the show Don and I want to produce in February.”

Commented Mischer, “Eddie is a truly ground-breaking performer, whose amazingly diverse array of roles has won him a devoted audience of all ages. His quick wit and charisma will serve him very well as Oscar host.”

“I am enormously honored to join the great list of past Academy Award hosts from Hope and Carson to Crystal, Martin and Goldberg, among others,” said Murphy. “I’m looking forward to working with Brett and Don on creating a show that is enjoyable for both the fans at home and for the audience at the Kodak Theatre as we all come together to celebrate and recognize the great film contributions and collaborations from the past year.”

Murphy began his career at the age of 15 as a stand-up comedian. In 1980, at the age of 19, he joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” becoming the show’s youngest cast member to that point, and bringing to life many of the show’s most memorable characters. His 1983 album “Eddie Murphy: Comedian” won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording. It included portions of his groundbreaking HBO special “Eddie Murphy Delirious.” In 1987, “Eddie Murphy Raw” was theatrically released and went on to gross over $50 million. Murphy made his feature film debut in 1982 with the classic “48 Hrs.” and would go on to star in such box-office hits as “Beverly Hills Cop” and the “The Nutty Professor” and “Shrek” franchises. All told, movies in which he has performed have earned in excess of $7 billion worldwide during their theatrical releases.

Murphy earned an Oscar nomination in 2006 for his supporting role in “Dreamgirls.”

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/toldja-eddie-murphy-to-host-oscars/

O-Tay!!!!

I wonder what Charlie Murphy has to say about it?

Eddie Murphy Quits as Oscars Host
By Alex Suskind
Posted Nov 9th 2011


Less than 24 hours after Brett Ratner resigned his Oscar producing duties, Eddie Murphy has stepped down as host of the 84th annual Academy Awards.

Murphy leaves the high-profile position after the uproar surrounding Ratner's controversial comments at a Tower Heist screening last week, when the director said, "Rehearsing's for f*gs."





"First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party's decision with regard to a change of producers for this year's Academy Awards ceremony," said Murphy in a statement released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

"I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I'm sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job."





Said AMPAS president Tom Sherak about Murphy's decision, "I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well."

http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/11/09/eddie-murphy-quits-as-oscars-host/

Now who will be hosting The Oscars?

I think it's time to just have an animated character to host the Oscars...Bugs Bunny would do VERY well as a host!

From the moment it was announced that Eddie Murphy would host, I just knew he wouldn't go through with it. Don't ask why I knew that. :eek: :crazy:

Billy Crystal to the rescue!

The nine-time Oscar host has agreed to replace Eddie Murphy as emcee of the 2012 Academy Awards.

http://www.tvline.com/

Yay - I love Billy Crystal!! :cool: :D

Yay - I love Billy Crystal!! :cool: :D

Same Here :)

I was actually looking forward to Eddie Murphy hosting. Oh well...

Billy Crystal is good but Eddie Murphy was someone new.