It’s the one job in Hollywood that nobody seems to want. Over the last 15 years, getting a host for the Academy Awards has become tougher and tougher. Every minor error or joke that falls flat is met with criticism or outright derision, and the most prestigious event in Hollywood is still without a host seven weeks before its 91st edition. That has led offshore sportsbook BetDSI to ask the question, who will host the Oscars this year?
Host for the 91st Academy Awards?
No Host/Multiple Hosts -200
Jimmy Kimmel +300
Neil Patrick Harris +500
Jon Stewart +700
Ryan Reynolds +1000
Donald Glover +1000
Key & Peele +2000
Ellen DeGeneres +3000
Jimmy Fallon +3000
Alexa +10000
Bet O’Rourke +10000
Donald Trump +25000
Currently, the no host or multiple hosts option is the odds-on favorite. There has been a lot of speculation that although nobody wants to host the three and a half hour long telecast, stars would be more willing to host a specific section of the event. The push for no host has increased in recent weeks too. An Oscars host usually only has a few key roles, the opening monologue and a couple skits throughout the evening, so why not hire a comedian for the monologue and fill the other slots with more entertainment acts?
If there is going to be a single host, Jimmy Kimmel is the most likely candidate. Kimmel hosted each of the last two Oscars, and he has been hailed as one of the best hosts in recent history. However, Kimmel has stated that he does not want the seemingly thankless task of hosting the Oscars for a third straight year, though he did recently extend an olive branch to the production crew. He has offered to host if the production team can find no other option.
Neil Patrick Harris hosted the Oscars in 2015, and he has been vocal about his willingness to host the awards show again. However, Harris’ one year as a host was met with a lot of criticism, and it seems unlikely he would get the call again. The possibility is certainly there, but I would pass on this option at this price.
My two favorite picks to host the awards show are Jon Stewart and Key & Peele. Stewart hosted the event in 2006 and 2008, and he was widely lauded for his role as the host. He has largely removed himself from the spotlight, but he is still a very popular figure and he would surely draw a lot of eyeballs to the small screen. All of Hollywood would be on edge to see if he would use the event to criticize Donald Trump, and he would be sure to bring some humor to the spectacle too.
As for Key & Peele, they are one of the most popular comedy duos around. They have since gone their separate ways, but they have both found success in other endeavors. Jordan Peele was the writer and director of the smash hit Get Out in 2017, while Keegan-Michael Key continues to shine as an actor. Bringing these two back together would be a hit.
