The Academy goes back to a veteran.
With Eddie Murphy abruptly quitting as host of the Oscars, taking many people's hopes for an actually funny telecast with him, the Academy has called on veteran host Billy Crystal to replace him, says The Hollywood Reporter. This will be Crystal's ninth time hosting the awards show.
Crystal broke the news on Thursday via Twitter, stating that he is "doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show."
The Academy confirmed the news later that day by adding an official statement, in which producer Brian Grazer (who replaced Brett Ratner earlier this week) said, "Like so many others, I've been eager to see Billy host again. It's very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don [Mischer] and me at the helm."
Crystal previously hosted the Academy Awards in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2004.
(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyImages)
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