This 7 days, the Academy of Movement Photograph Arts and Sciences introduced that for the 1st time in 4 yrs, the Oscars will yet again have a host. Soon after the Kevin Hart fiasco in 2018 led to the 91st Oscars likely hostless — a choice that unquestionably amounted to Inexperienced E book successful Ideal Image that calendar year no, I will not clarify — the Academy decided to permit it trip with no a single in the driver’s seat for two far more several years, ensuing in two ruthlessly effective but individuality-cost-free ceremonies in 2019 and 2020 adopted by Steven Soderbergh’s divisive mid-pandemic 2021 ceremony. Last but not least, the Academy is completely ready to return to a hosted ceremony, prompting quite a few non-Academy customers to ruminate on whom they’d like to see hosting the March 27 celebration. The natural way, preferred tips involve Che Diaz, Infant Annette, and the pig from Pig.
So what kind of vibe is the Academy going for? Or a lot more critical, what sort of vibe should the Academy be likely for? A large, loud “The motion pictures are again, little one!” variety of issue even while Omicron will have just (uh, hopefully) crested and some of the year’s largest motion pictures are still tummy flopping at the box business office? A thing more quietly hopeful, positioning this year’s movies as a move towards a vibrant long run total of loving Irish households and powerful dogs? Or will the Academy use the second COVID-19 Oscars as an chance to lean into the perceived disaster overtaking significantly of the films organization — an airing-of-grievances affair?
Let’s get started with the responsible approach: The Academy must employ the service of a steady hand to lead us cautiously again into the realm of hosted awards. One has to understand to wander once again right before one can run, proper? When a return to 2017 and 2018 host Jimmy Kimmel would in all probability be a little bit far too dull, achieving additional back and allowing, say, Whoopi Goldberg host once again for the very first time since 2002 could be reasonable and enjoyment. (Goldberg was often an underrated host. Hardly ever ignore when she dressed up as Queen Elizabeth and descended from the ceiling like Satine in Moulin Rouge!) Steve Martin is a different reliable possibility possibly you pair him this 12 months with his Only Murders in the Creating cohort Martin Brief? Possibly you pair them with their Only Murders in the Constructing co-star Selena Gomez? Get to out to that Spring Breakers demographic that lengthy ago abandoned the Squaresville Oscars.
But we shouldn’t think the Academy revived the strategy of a hosted Oscars ceremony just to fall again on the same previous exact same old. They are likely doing this for the exact same purpose they appear to be to do something any longer: as a gambit to enable enhance falling Tv set scores. The jury is however out on no matter if the host will make much of a big difference when it comes to the Oscars’ broadcast general performance, but it’s acceptable to imagine deciding upon anyone from a well-liked film could possibly assistance. Which is why it’s no shock we’re hearing rumors the Academy is thinking of youthful Tom Holland given that Spider-Person: No Way Property was the only 2021 film to attract pre-pandemic crowds to theaters. And given that the marketing campaign to get No Way Household nominated for Very best Image will almost absolutely slide brief, this could be a way to get these MCU eyeballs in any case.
But there is a better way. There is a host out there who can blend the snobby status charm the Academy eternally chases with the broad star electrical power ABC would enjoy. To top it off, she’s additional than able of delivering a powerful “The films will save us if we help save the motion pictures!” concept in a hushed dulcet tone like she’s whispering from the depths of an empty film theater to an invisible nevertheless rapt viewers. For the reason that she is. Somebody run to your nearest AMC. The Academy desires Nicole Kidman.
Imagine about it! Her bona fides are essentially untouchable. She’s been an A-lister for a few decades, is an Academy Award winner herself, and is nevertheless providing some of the greatest get the job done of her job. No, Kidman doesn’t have a great deal in the way of experience dealing with a dwell tv audience or in executing the form of faucet dance required to maintain a 4-hour ceremony hopping. But the simple fact that we have never found her in that mode? That’s priceless rubbernecking enchantment.
Logistics could make it uncomfortable, not minimum due to the fact Kidman is a shoo-in for a Most effective Actress nomination for her purpose in Currently being the Ricardos. Hell, she’s currently the favourite to get, lending a Kidman-hosted Oscars the graceless emotion of your most privileged mate inviting you to observe her get a Girl of the 12 months award from the neighborhood Chamber of Commerce. But it wants to occur for a single uncomplicated purpose: Nicole Kidman starred in the solitary most important and inspiring movie of 2021, a movie about how the otherworldly talents of one female can endure in an atmosphere of hardship, worry, and dishonesty. That film is of study course the AMC Theatres back-to-the-motion pictures advert, unquestionably the finest movie of 2021 and a shining beacon for an enjoyment business that terribly needs to struggle back. As its direct, Kidman is the avatar of anything we want the field to be once again. In a environment exactly where videos as exuberant, devastating, and triumphant as West Aspect Tale and In the Heights still battle to get men and women into seats, a Kidman-hosted Oscars is the only way ahead, a opportunity for Hollywood executives and audiences alike to unite in the dark.
Here’s my pitch: Costume Nicole Kidman up in head-to-toe Armani, sit her down in the middle of an vacant AMC theater, and let her host the Oscars from there. Significantly as we do with AMC theaters, we occur to the Academy Awards to snicker, to cry, to care. Mainly because we will need that. This calendar year most of all. And if I have to read through just one more trolling report about Pete Davidson remaining regarded for the Oscar host gig, I’m likely to unquestionably reduce it.
