The ’01 Oscar Host: You Voted, We Counted

And you thought the presidential election results were confusing? In the wake of Billy Crystal taking himself out of consideration to host the next Academy Awards, we asked readers to nominate their candidates to replace him--and the wide range of responses made the margin of victory in Florida, whatever it might be and for whomever, look like a landslide.

Front-runners for fronting the Oscars were Jim Carrey and Steve Martin--at least among what we’d call legitimate contenders. The biggest draw, thanks to an apparent write-in campaign by her fans, was Claudia Christian of “Babylon 5.” But votes were spread among more than three dozen performers and a few surprise entries. A sampling of opinion:

I agree with Billy Crystal: Jim Carrey should be the Oscar host. Some may argue he’s too erratic, but, as strange as it sounds, I think that’s what the Oscars need. The Academy Awards have been a consistently dull show that people force themselves to watch. With Carrey hosting, the endless speeches of actors who only know how to say “thank you” will seem more bearable.

ALEXANDRA PALIAKOVA

Long Beach

*

My vote goes for Steve Martin. He’s proven he can host a live show (numerous times for “Saturday Night Live”), he’s a gifted comedian, and he’s a recognized actor, writer, author, playwright and producer.

WILLIAM SALVINI

El Segundo

*

Many people liked the sophisticated humor of Billy Crystal; Jay Leno is in the same class.

PAT BENNIE

Covina

*

The two best choices are Ellen DeGeneres or Garry Shandling. They’ve shown by hosting the Grammys (and in Garry’s case, the Emmys) that they’re bright, creative, funny and, most important, able to improvise easily. To quote Carly Simon, “Nobody does it better!”

LARRY FELDMAN

Sherman Oaks

*

Unless he’s a nominee and doesn’t want to play a dual role, Tom Hanks would be the best choice. He’s a two-time Oscar winner, respects the film industry and its history, and is a great comedian. He’d be terrific company for four (and a half?) hours.

BARBARA KERR

Tallahassee, Fla.

*

My suggestion would be to grab someone so far removed from Billy Crystal and Hollywood that any comparison would not only be ineffective, but altogether worthless: namely, Eddie Izzard.

Not only is he from outside Hollywood, giving him a unique view of the occasion (and one consistent with the millions who watch), he’s also a practicing transvestite, which could afford the host a chance to really tune in to Hollywood’s most glamorous night, while at the same time mocking it spectacularly. Add to that his position as probably the funniest stand-up comedian today and his experience at awards shows (a recent two-time Emmy winner who deftly missed the ceremony), and you’ve got the best candidate going.

TODD MERRIMAN

New York

*

Give Jim Carrey a shot at it. It’ll be a breath of fresh air (or putrid, depending on whether one appreciates his brand of humor)! Whatever, he’ll make a great impact, and Oscar will be fun.

C.K. WONG

Singapore

*

I would like to see the Oscars hosted jointly by Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams. What a hoot that would be--you would get humor and intelligence.

ETHEL FISHER

Studio City

*

Who would be better than Mike Myers? He’s hysterical, and he’s certainly not as out of control as Jim Carrey. David Letterman had his chance and left us with Uma/Oprah/Oprah/Uma. Mike is suave, hysterical and quick on his feet. He would also pull in a younger demographic.

PAUL KUPFERMAN

Los Angeles

*

I think David Spade would make a great host for the Academy Awards. I thought so right after last year’s lackluster broadcast, and I’m even more sure of it now. His biting, sarcastic wit is exactly what’s needed at the Oscars. He’s currently on a hit show, and he’s in the news right now because of the recent attack in his home (hey, any publicity is good publicity!).

KIRSTEN KAUFMANN

Woodland Hills

*

My choice for Oscar host is Al Gore. My reason: He’ll need a job. The only drawback is that they will need additional time for the program because if he doesn’t agree with the winners he may ask for a revote!

LUANNE COLBY

Thousand Oaks

*

My nomination: comic Steven Wright. His deadpan, low-keyed, far-out persona would be a welcome counterpoint to the gushing, near-hysteria emotion and the endless thank-you speeches of the winners.

JACK SYDOW

Studio City

*

My suggestion: the one and only Johnny Carson. What better night for him to come back after all these years? What a ratings event it would be.

J. AARON GALINDO

Norwalk

*

The best choice is Johnny Carson, but he won’t do it, so I choose Steve Martin.

ANITA GEVINSON

Sherman Oaks

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Kevin Spacey, but only if he does his well-known Johnny Carson impersonation the entire show.

PETER AVELLINO

Los Angeles

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Claudia Christian, mostly known for her work on the sci-fi hit “Babylon 5” as Cmdr. Susan Ivanova. She’s got a wicked sense of humor (she also starred in “Hexed”) and would definitely liven the show up a bit!

HOLLY EVANS

Woodland Hills

*

Jon Stewart of Comedy Central should host. He may be too smart for Joe Q. America, but I don’t care. He’s freakin’ hilarious.

CHRISTIAN CARBONE

Los Angeles

*

Chris Rock is one of the funniest people in America, and when given hosting duties, he’s pure dynamite. Watch the “Saturday Night Live” 25th anniversary special--like when he mentions that the people in the audience (many of them “SNL” alums) “are responsible for some of the worst movies ever made.” Who else gets the whole crowd laughing at lines like those? Genuine irreverence, intelligence and electric humor are just what the Oscars need.

DANIEL SMITH-ROWSEY

Los Angeles

*

Letterman again, please. It’s only the dumb masses who didn’t get him last time! Dave was the only host in the last 10 years not to make the Oscar night resemble a funeral procession! Please, no more blandness.

GARY CLIFFORD

Limerick, Ireland

*

Let’s get some elegant women at the reins. Here are some suggestions: Julie Andrews (Oscar winner), Shirley MacLaine (Oscar winner), Barbra Streisand (double Oscar winner), Angela Lansbury (triple Oscar nominee). One thing that these woman can bring to the Oscars is elegance.

I remember watching the Oscars when I was little, and it was such a thrill. Part of the excitement of the evening was watching until the very last award so you could see what Elizabeth Taylor was wearing and how she looked. There is no glamour and elegance to the Oscars anymore.

NEAL BAKKE

Glendale

*

Here are my picks:

Al Gore: He’ll make the Oscar statuette look more animated than Jim Carrey.

Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris: She can certify all the Oscar winners with fairness and integrity (as long as they’re Republicans).

The entire Florida Supreme Court: If they can fit a recount of undervotes in 67 counties into one weekend, think what they can do with a 3-hour Oscar telecast!

Russell Crowe: He could host in his “Gladiator” costume and fight off lions on stage. Dennis Quaid could play one of the lions.

Helen Hunt and Charlize Theron (co-hosts): Why not? They were in everything else this year.

JOHNNY CHO

West Hollywood

*

Back when his stand-up days were not such a distant memory, Woody Allen declined the invitation because of his commitment to play clarinet on Monday nights. Now that the Oscars are on Sunday, how about it, Woody?

STEVEN JACOBSON

Sherman Oaks

*

For 2001: Hal, of course.

BARBARA STARR

Encino

*

How about no host?

JOHN ISAACS

Los Angeles

* For more letters, log on to https://www.calendarlive.com/go/oscarhost