OSCAR’S SHOWMAN
Starting with the obvious -- that there is no actual superhero available for the job of rescuing the Oscars from its annually diminishing ratings -- Hugh Jackman’s a solid second choice. He sings, he dances, he’s hosted the Tony Awards and, after four turns as X-Men’s Wolverine, he knows plenty about using brawn.
And did we mention he’s a sure bet in a tuxedo?
But if the weight of the world’s movie-loving audience is bearing down on his wide shoulders, he seems delighted by the prospect.
“When I got the call asking if I’d do the show, I was in London doing press for ‘Australia’ and I had no idea my agent was even negotiating,” remembers Jackman, pausing for coffee at a New York hotel between Oscar rehearsals. “I think there were 15 seconds of silence on my end, and then I hung up the phone and said to [my wife] Deb, ‘You’re about to get into bed with the next host of the Oscars!’ She started jumping up and down on the bed, and then I was jumping up and down on the bed. I feel like I’ve arrived, but way, way before my time.”
The 40-year-old actor, who claims to be a foreigner to stage fright, has been preparing ever since that December phone call. Back home here after a long stint in his native country filming both “Australia” and this summer’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” he has been rehearsing up to six hours a day before flying out to L.A. this past Sunday for a final week of run-throughs. In addition to working with a group of writers, he’s doubled up on his regular once-a-week singing lessons -- and he’s been working his speed dial.
“I rang Lorne Michaels for advice,” he says, “And he said, ‘Steve Martin’s in the room, let me put you on speakerphone.’ Martin rang me back another time as well. Then I rang Ricky Gervais, of whom I’m a massive fan, and told him I was looking for ideas and he said, ‘No problem!’ and started riffing with me. You can’t believe how lovely people are being.” Even Whoopi Goldberg added her two cents: “I saw her yesterday and she said, ‘Hugh, I’ve got to tell you, the first five or six minutes will be among the best of your life because there’s so much energy there. Nobody’s lost yet, and everyone’s feeling celebrated. But after that, it gets really tough. They’ve lost; they’ve been in their dress for three hours; they haven’t eaten. Enjoy the opening and then drive it home.’ ”
But for all of the comedic advice, Jackman -- who is coy about the contents of the show, citing the element of surprise as his only edge -- says he’s not trying to measure up to his favorite host, Billy Crystal. “I hope I’m funny, but there’s not the same pressure on me to be knocking ‘em out,” he insists. “I don’t think anyone is expecting seven minutes of stand-up.” Nor will he be tackling his adopted country’s new government, saying, “There are a few political jokes floating around, but I’m not going to be the most controversial host they’ve ever had, that’s for sure.”
What he will cop to about his performance: He’s responsible for an opening number and a section in the middle, and he will be taking advantage of his singing ability. So does that mean we can expect a rendition of “Slumdog Millionaire’s” catchy “Jai Ho” on Sunday? He’s still not saying.
As for whether he’ll prove popular, “I think the real measure of being successful will be people saying afterward, ‘That was a great Oscars,’ rather than focusing on the host,” Jackman says before beginning to laugh. “Of course, I’m probably saying that to take the pressure off myself. But as my wife said to me, ‘Have fun. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. And I do mean once.’ ”
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THE SHOW
The 81st Academy Awards ceremony will be held Sunday at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre with host Hugh Jackman. The event will be telecast live on ABC at 5 p.m.