Andy Samberg to host 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards

This year, raunchy comedian Seth Rogen took aim at everyone from Mel Gibson to Chris Brown as the host of the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Next year, one of Rogen’s buddies will try his hand at the gig: Andy Samberg.

The “Saturday Night Live” veteran turned film star will help hand out prizes to the best in the indie film world at the 28th annual telecast in February.

Samberg, 34, is no stranger to being an emcee, having served as the host of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. This year, the actor co-starred in the big-budget Adam Sander flop “That’s My Boy” and lent his voice to one of the animated characters in “Hotel Transylvania.” But he also appeared with Rashida Jones in the independently financed “Celeste & Jesse Forever,” a romantic comedy about a couple getting divorced that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Samberg has some big shoes to fill, as Rogen earned rave reviews as the host of this year’s show. The Spirit Awards, which are held in a tent on the Santa Monica beach, are known for their laid-back vibe -- and Rogen capitalized on that, frequently using expletives and going after top entertainment personalities.

Referring to Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Drive,” for example, he quipped: “ ‘Drive’ made Jews so scary I thought Mel Gibson directed it.”

The 2013 Spirit Awards will take place on Feb. 23, and will be broadcast later that evening on IFC.

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