The Corner Cinema

I should start by saying in an ideal world, I’d want Hugh Jackman back. For a good 6 months, the “I Didn’t See The Reader” dance sequence was on my desktop.

But to date, it’s unknown if Jackman is returning. So for the sake of this article he’s not (booooo) and I’ll offer up my picks for the next Oscar Host.

Ricky Gervais

Sure The Invention Of Lying didn’t set the box office on fire. But do a quick search on Youtube for Gervais’ appearances on both The Emmys and The Golden Globes and you’ll soon see he has a keen gift for dealing with Hollywood. Sarcastic wit but still lovable.

I prefer that to say Chris Rock who was just plain vicious. As an added bonus, Karl Pilkington (again Youtube) could do a rundown of his favorite films of the year. That has the potential of being one of the best skits in recent memory.

Eddie Izzard

Don’t worry, I have some Americans coming up. But like Ricky Gervais, Izzard’s humor appeals to those with a slightly higher than average IQ. Case in point, I’ve seen Eddie Izzard twice in concert and both times I’ve had to look up historical data after the show (14th century France to be exact).

He’s toned down the transvestite act as of late much to the dismay of his most loyal fans. But maybe, just maybe, a night on the world’s brightest and biggest stage can bring those heels out of retirement.

Meryl Streep

Streep is set to pass Katharine Hepburn this year when she receives her 13th nomination for Best Actress, and 16th overall. Odds are she’ll probably win for her work in this summer’s Julie & Julia. No female is as ubiquitous to Hollywood as Queen Streep.

And she has a way with the audience as demonstrated with her various acceptance speeches for last year’s Doubt. As with Hugh Jackman, you can be both a superstar and a host.

Tina Fey

Fey is a no-brainer in my book. For starters, she’s beautiful. And now that she’s a full-fledged small-screen goddess thanks to her work as Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live and the continued (some say undeserved) success of 30 Rock (1,754 Emmys and counting).

As talented and beautiful of an actress she is, Fey is also a gifted writer which any Oscar fan worth their weight would know is the key to a successful Oscar night. You need Great Material. And who knows, maybe she can convinced Alec Baldwin and Amy Poehler to pop in.

President Obama

Sure he may not have been able to bring the Olympics to the US but the world still loves President Obama. And since the Oscars are a global affair, what better way to showcase it than with the world’s most powerful man. Imagine the ratings (and protests)!

I suspect President Obama is one of the few presidents to know the difference between Blu-Ray and DVD, or who can name Michael Bay’s filmography (for the regular joes out there, remember ratings!). And he’s funny, very funny, which is certainly a plus.