Often referred to as "the greatest Oscar host of all time," Billy Crystal emceed Hollywood's self-congratulatory ritual eight times between 1990 and 2004. In recent years, however, the actor and comedian has turned down repeated offers to return to the stage, complaining that the Academy issues too many awards and needs to "freshen up" its dated ceremony. Times change: Crystal recently told a crowd at a 20th anniversary screening of City Slickers that he's "itching" to host again — especially after his widely relished appearance at last year's otherwise-disastrous ceremony. His message to producers: "[You] know where I am." The Academy already made one controversial choice by hiring Rush Hour director Brett Ratner as producer. Should hiring Crystal be a safe no-brainer?
This should be a "done deal": "Who would Ratner dare offer the job to knowing Crystal is waiting in the wings," asks Jeff Labrecque at Entertainment Weekly. Moreover, "who would dare accept it?" After last year's hostpocalypse with James Franco and Anne Hathaway, there's "nostalgia for Crystal's warm magic." Now that he's indicated his willingness to steer the monster ship, support for Crystal is "bound to grow louder." Sign him up.
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