Ellen DeGeneres to Host 2014 Oscars on March 2: Comedian Safer Choice than Seth MacFarlene, Twitter Reacts Happily to Announcement
The Academy has officially announced the 2014 Oscars host: talk show host, comedian and all-around well-liked lady Ellen DeGeneres.
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that DeGeneres will be leading next year's celebration of the best in film. This will be her second time hosting the Oscars. She first did so in 2007.
"I am so excited to be hosting the Oscars for the second time. You know what they say -- the third time's the charm," DeGeneres said in a statement, ever the jokester. The happy-go-lucky host also took to her Twitter to confirm the news and crack another joke. "It's official: I'm hosting the #Oscars! I'd like to thank @TheAcademy, my wife Portia and, oh dear, there goes the orchestra," she wrote.
DeGeneres is a relatively safe choice to host the Oscars, following Seth MacFarlene's controversial (at best) turn earlier this year. Full of boob jokes and rather tasteless humor, MacFarlene soared for some and greatly offended others, much like his television show "Family Guy." However, according to CNN, the Oscars had a huge ratings jump because of MacFarlene.
Some feared that MacFarlene would host the Oscars again in 2014, but in May, he confirmed he was unable to do the gig.
Meanwhile, DeGeneres is a more family-friendly choice. The talk show host voiced Dory in the Disney-Pixar film "Finding Nemo" and is slated to reprise the role in the 2015 film "Finding Dory." Her humor is far more accessible than MacFarlene's, lending her to be a perfect follow up.
Twitter reactions to DeGeneres' announcement have been widely positive, with fans of both the award show and the comedian excited.
Ellen degeneres is hosting the #oscars I'm gonna faint
— Claire Beaver (@claire_beaver) August 2, 2013
@TheEllenShow Yay! Ur my most favourite host! Can't wait....#Oscars — Nicole Robinson (@handspring35) August 2, 2013
Ellen Degeneres is gonna host the #Oscars again!!! YEEESSSS!!! \o/
— Ana Salmaso (@anabsalmaso) August 2, 2013
The 2014 Oscars will air on March 2.