By Sarah Sluis
This year's Oscars will have ten nominees for Best Picture and two hosts sharing the limelight. Steve Martin had hosted the Oscars twice before, but Alec Baldwin will be hosting for his first time.
Over at The Envelope, The LA Times' award blog, Elizabeth Snead suggested that Baldwin was either discovered or taken for a test run at Elle's Women in Hollywood awards. After watching the YouTube videos of Baldwin's performance, it's clear that he's an ace at hosting. While most hosts seem to put so much energy and song-and-dance into their duties, Baldwin's persona is detached and deadpan. It seems like he's doing the act for himself, not the audience.
Baldwin passed the test of making fun of celebrities without coming off as mean-spirited. His wry delivery lets flat jokes pass and good ones receive a roar of appreciative laughter and applause. As a fan of his pompous, self-interested character on "30 Rock," I look forward to seeing Baldwin take a little bit of Jack Donaghy to the Oscar stage.
Perhaps the Academy is hedging their bets by having Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin co-host. Martin's style involves more interaction with the audience. His opening monologue in the 2001 Oscars seemed like he was talking to his friends. He picked out and picked at celebrities in the audience without them seeming to mind. If the Oscars maintain anything from last year's ceremony, they'll need someone comfortable sitting down in seats with people. If that role could go to Martin, Baldwin could complement Martin by continuing to be his aloof self.
Baldwin and Martin. Let the Oscar shake-up continue.
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