Ellen DeGeneres to Host Oscars in 2014
by EG
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that Ellen DeGeneres will host the 2014 edition of its awards show. This will be the second time that DeGeneres has hosted the show; her debut hosting gig in 2007 drew generally positive reviews.
"I am so excited to be hosting the Oscars for the second time. You know what they say—the third time's the charm," said DeGeneres in her typically absurdist style.
DeGeneres' first time around on the Oscar stage was widely considered to be a success, and her performance garnered an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.
"There are few stars today who have Ellen's gift for comedy, with her great warmth and humanity," the show's producers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, said. "She is beloved everywhere."
The Academy no doubt hopes to rebound from its hosting choice for last year's show, "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane. MacFarlane's off-color humor offended many viewers, including a number of outspoken celebrities, and DeGeneres seems, by contrast, a much safer choice.
'The Academy Awards' will hit the air on March 2, 2014 on ABC.