Martin and Baldwin, Oscars odd couple
Honestly, I was hoping for Neil Patrick Harris. But ABC’s choice of Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin to co-host the show (set for March 7) still strikes me as odd. Martin, sure; he’s hosted twice before. Baldwin is a wild card. He’s hilarious on “30 Rock,” and I’ll certainly tune in to see him, but I wonder what ABC really expects from him except (the network’s words) “a completely fresh personality.” If ABC just wanted a “TV guy” to lure viewers who might not have seen the nominated movies, they’d have done better with, say, Charlie Sheen, whose show is hugely watched, not with a star of a niche favorite. Amusing, though, that ABC has hired the star of an NBC show for its big event — that’s how little a threat competitors consider NBC these days.
Baldwin is always terrific whenever he hosts Saturday Night Live. I think he is an excellent choice. I wonder if he and Steve Martin will do much together or mostly separate.
I like the idea. Martin is the experienced emcee, and I think Baldwin will bring some “freshness” for lack of a better word. Should be entertaining!!!
Neil Patrick Harris? Surely you jest! This is the Oscars. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin have always had their little rivalry as to who has hosted SNL the most times. Their skit together on SNL was hilarious. Alec Baldwin consistently delivers on 30 Rock. This is a great pairing. They could be the next Laurel & Hardy, Abbott & Costello or Martin & Lewis.
Wouldn’t this be the Academy’s choice, not ABC’s? It’s their show, after all. And it’s about the movies, not tv. I think this could be an interesting pairing. Kevin Spacey was on “The View” awhile back and said it’s something he’d love to do sometime. I think that he would also do a great job. Maybe another year.
C’mon folks. Martin and Baldwin are starring together in a movie. The studio bucked up for some publicity.