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The Oscars’ No-Big-Deal Rebrand

What if hosting Hollywood’s marquee awards show were less of a heavy lift, with the added benefit of a telecast with more stars and performers who went beyond simply presenting. That’s what the Academy wants. Could it work?

jimmy kimmel 96th annual oscars
No host is locked in for March’s show after Jimmy Kimmel declined to return and John Mulaney passed on the opportunity. Photo: Rich Polk/Variety/Getty Images
Matthew Belloni
October 11, 2024

This one’s amusing: The film Academy believes it has come up with a solution to its annual problem of finding someone meaningful who’s willing to host the damn Oscars. In recent communications, both internally and to the talent community, Academy executives all the way up to C.E.O. Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang are talking about a “lighter lift”—a scenario where a host wouldn’t be required to do a 12-minute monologue, or produce multiple bits and taped pieces, or rehearse lavish musical numbers, or… you get it.