Ricky Gervais has revealed on his blog that Hugh Jackman called him a couple times to brainstorm jokes for Jackman’s hosting duties at the Oscars. I don’t know about you, but this news comes as a huge relief. After all the hullabaloo about remaking the Oscars into a lean, mean entertainment machine, I was a little worried when Jackman announced he was concocting "the nightclub of your dreams" — it’s hard not to imagine the cheesiest of Vegas cabarets. But with Ricky Gervais feeding him jokes, I’m reassured that Jackman is ready to dust off the tired old one-liners and really shake things up. Heck, anything is better than the stiff and sanitized material Bruce Vilanch has been cooking up all these years. Now I know they mean business when the producers promise that they’re giving the show a serious makeover. How about you, PopWatchers?
addCredit(“Ricky Gervais: Jim Spellman/WireImage.com; Hugh Jackman: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic.com”)
I’ve actually always thought that Jackman would make an excellent host. The guy is a born stage performer, and I like that he was a departure from the usual stand-up comic.
If they hadn’t gotten Jackman, my next choice would’ve been Ricky Gervais. Yes, I know he does stand up, but he’s been killing lately at awards show with his material.
If he’s feeding Jackman material, it’s the best of both worlds: we get Gervais’ jokes, but without Gervais’ sometimes-indulgence, which causes him to drag something out a tad long. (The Oscars don’t need anything to drag them longer.)
Why not just have Rickey Gervais host the Academy Awards? He’d be far funnier than Hugh Jackman. I’m more concerned about Jackman not doing well in front of large crowd. Stand-up is hard work. Gervais has funny in spades.
J., don’t worry about Hugh. He hosted the Tonys several times and did an excellent job. He’ll be the best Oscars host since Billy Crystal.
Hugh Jackman’s face and Ricky Gervais’s humour is probably preferable to the other way around, right?
You got that right, Kelly! High five! Boo-YEAH!
It’s just Ricky’s jokes, it’s his delivery. I have a hard time believing that Hugh is going to deliver jokes as funnily as Ricky does.
I love Hugh Jackman, but I really would have preferred to have Ricky Gervais delivering his own jokes – because it’s not just the words, but as James pointed out, it’s mostly Ricky’s delivery that makes the jokes hilarious. Ah well. Here’s hoping Jackman does well.
So how many people are expecting Regis Philbin to appear in a WWTBAM-reference?
I’m really looking forward to Hugh Jackman hosting, but here’s to hosting we’ll get Ricky Gervais in a couple years! He’s undoubtedly hilarious.