Oscars 2014: With Seth MacFarlane out, who should host? [poll]

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After hosting the 2016 Emmys, Jimmy Kimmel will make his debut as host of the 2017 Academy Awards. In addition to his previous awards show experience, Kimmel has hosted the annual “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Oscars” special for years.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times; Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times; ABC ; Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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In his second time hosting, Chris Rock addressed the #OscarsSoWhite controversy during the telecast of the 88th Academy Awards on Feb. 28, 2016 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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After multiple stints hosting the Tonys and the Emmys, Neil Patrick Harris was a natural choice to lead the festivities at the 87th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Ellen DeGeneres broke a Twitter record with her star-studded selfie as emcee of the 2014 Academy Awards and won the hearts of hungry actors with freshly delivered pizza. DeGeneres scored with audiences as host in 2007 (above right) with her crowd work as well. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. (Robert Gauthier, Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Though Seth MacFarlane was widely criticized for his 2013 Oscars hosting debut, the awards show saw its best ratings in years with “Family Guy’s” creator at the helm. According to Nielsen, an average of 40.3 million viewers tuned in to hear MacFarlane bash a slew of Hollywood’s A-list. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Considered one of the best of the contemporary comedic hosts, Crystal began his Oscar run with the 62nd telecast in 1990 and remained on the job through 1993. Also add 1997, 1998, 2000 (above left), 2004 and most recently 2012 (above right) to the list. (Bob D’Amico / ABC; Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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In an effort to boost viewership in young demographics, the producers of the 83rd Academy Awards tapped hot “of the moment” actors Hathaway and Franco as hosts for the 2011 ceremony. Many critics felt the hosts didn’t have much chemistry. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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When Martin teamed with his “It’s Complicated” costar Alec Baldwin to co-host 2010’s ceremony, it was his third Oscar hosting appearance. He made his solo debut with the 73rd award show in 2001 and returned to the job in 2003. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Hugh Jackman’s song-and-dance number at the opening of the 81st Academy Awards in 2009 drew barbs from TV critics. The Times’ Mary McNamara said of the performance: “Somewhere in New York, a huge weight has been lifted from David Letterman’s shoulders.” (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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The “Daily Show” host brought his outsider perspective into the heart of Hollywood for his stint as Oscar host in 2006. He poked fun at the awards-cast itself, which generally played better at home than it did in the theater. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Rock hosted the 77th Academy Awards in 2005 and raised many eyebrows with his pointed barbs directed at the assembled celebrities. Years later, Ricky Gervais adopted this tone to great effect at the Golden Globes. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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Goldberg, the first African American to win the supporting actress Oscar since Hattie McDaniel won in the category in 1940 for “Gone With the Wind,” began her stint as host with the 66th award ceremony in 1994. She returned in 1996, 1999 (shown in a Queen Elizabeth costume) and 2002. (Timothy White / ABC and AMPAS; Los Angeles Times)

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The “Tonight Show” legend moonlighted as Oscar host beginning with the 51st ceremony in 1979; he went on to host the show four more times. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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The outrageous funnyman co-hosted the 28th Academy Awards in 1956 in L.A., while Claudette Colbert and writer-director Joseph Mankiewicz hosted a satellite ceremony in New York. He revisited the role in 1957. Lewis and his wife, SanDee, above, pictured at the Cannes Film Festival in 1983. (Larry Armstrong / Los Angeles Times)

By Mark Olsen

May 20, 2013 1:03 PM PT

If not Seth, who?

With Seth MacFarlane’s tweeted announcement that he would not be returning as host of the Academy Awards after his controversial but highly rated turn earlier this year, the question becomes “Who next?” Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will have quite a challenge. The motion picture academy continues to strive for a certain respectful solemnity with a fizzy nod to old-school Hollywood glamour while also needing to attract younger viewers, grooming the next generation of Oscar watchers.

When the academy found itself in a pinch after the fallout of its Brett Ratner situation in late 2011, it turned to the tried and true with Billy Crystal. Yet hanging over that entire show was the shadow of Ratner’s planned host, Eddie Murphy. Would he have hit the stage in the red leather suit from his “Delirious” concert film? Perhaps we could still find out.

PHOTOS: Oscars 2013: Seth MacFarlane’s seven worst jokes

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler received universal acclaim for their job hosting the most recent Golden Globes, with many calls for them to take the reins of the Oscar show. Though Fey has already been reported as saying there is “no way” she would host the show, this is Hollywood. There is a way.

Young multi-hyphenate star Joseph Gordon-Levitt seems a natural fit, as his spirited dance number during last year’s broadcast could now even be seen as an audition for the job. A younger star might typically be paired with someone else to ease the burden -- shades of the star-crossed James Franco-Anne Hathaway pairing -- so who could match Gordon-Levitt for his energy level and song-and-dance-man skills?

How about Justin Timberlake, the musician who has strongly courted Hollywood? Or even Channing Tatum, who is both an acknowledged friend of Gordon-Levitt and who also gave an unexpectedly classy turn dancing with Charlize Theron at this year’s ceremony. Perhaps throw Emma Stone into the mix as well?

And what about giving Franco another try? Could it be any worse? As Zach Galifianakis recently put it in an interview with Franco as part of his “Between Two Ferns” Web show, “I wouldn’t consider what you did at the Oscars hosting the Oscars.”

How about Galifianakis? Paired with his “Hangover” costar (and Oscar nominee) Bradley Cooper? Rotating in Cooper’s “Silver Linings Playbook” costar (and Oscar winner) Jennifer Lawrence?

Hey, this fantasy league play is fun! But having the task of Zadan and Meron to make it a reality likely less so. (For the record, I’m voting Team JGL.)

Also:

Academy rehires Craig Zadan and Neil Meron to produce 2014 Oscars

Oscar producers bask in their golden glow

Alec Baldwin: The Oscars will always be ‘a flabby, tired show’

Follow Mark Olsen on Twitter: @IndieFocus