10 Memorable Oscar Hosts: No One Will Ever Be Better Than James Franco, Right?

These days it’s a different world for Oscar hosts. (Hashtag: You know what I’m talking about.) Twitter has changed the game for many live events — the Super Bowl, presidential debates, the Hunger Games — and exponentially increased the chance that the slightest gaffe will be forever enshrined in a tomb of snark and sarcasm. No pressure, Seth MacFarlane.

Of course, the flip side of this is that if a host really nails it, Twitter will have that person's back. Just as mockery comes from a miscue or bile is a result of stupidity, a stream of praise will follow a stellar performance. A great example of this happened very recently with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler at the Golden Globes. Their performance instantly drew kudos from those on social media, and that goodwill carried over to the morning Golden Globe recaps.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing for MacFarlane, the 2013 Academy Awards host. In fact, social media will most likely help make his performance Sunday a memorable one … for good or bad.

Speaking of which, here’s a look at 10 memorable Oscar hosts, along with my retroactive tweets about their performance (and yes, I know Twitter didn't exist during some of these, but just go with it).



Billy Crystal
When I think of Oscar hosts, I think of Billy Crystal. He has the experience, charm and natural showmanship that a good host needs. He also has signature moments, like his Hannibal Lector entrance. ("I’m having members of the Academy over for dinner — care to join me?" Classic.) And if there's still a question of Crystal's greatness, just know that southern rapper Yelawolf has a song named Billy Crystal. Rap homage!

Retroactive tweet: @scottpukos Wait, that Yelawolf song is NOT about the Oscar host. I'm pretty sure it’s about Crystal Meth. #TheRealHeisenberg



Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart sometimes doesn’t even seem human to me. He’s consistently smart, funny and just straight up witty on The Daily Show. I know that program has great writers too, but still, the guy is like a comedy robot. Since comedic humanoid robots have not yet been invented (yet), Stewart fits the mold for a successful Oscar host. While not everyone loved his performance in 2006, he bounced back with a strong showing in 2008 — the first Academy Awards following the writers' strike.

Retroactive tweet: @scottpukos Stewart is nailing it as host. It's just a further reminder that he was snubbed for his role in "Half Baked." #RedTeamGo



Chris Rock
It's been a few years since Chris Rock was the king of the comedy world. Ironically, his less-than-stellar movies have played a role in his tumble down the hierarchy of comedians. That doesn't change the fact that he's still one of the funniest people in show business. That's why I don’t think his 2005 hosting gig was quite as classic as it could have been. Rock did provide some edginess and delivered a solid monologue though. I'd be cool with him hosting again some day.

Retroactive tweet: @scottpukos Rock is great. I really hope he doesn't make an awful movie w/ Sandler, Spade and Kevin James! #GrownUps #Zing



Steve Martin
Steve Martin, we need more banjo! The comedian and former Saturday Night Live castmember has managed to successfully host the show solo and with a partner (Alec Baldwin in 2010). A classic Martin delivery during his banter with Baldwin: "Anyone who's ever worked with Meryl Streep says the same thing: 'Man, she can act' and ‘What’s up with all that Hitler memorabilia?'"  Still, if he managed to display some of his banjo skills at some point too, it would have really escalated things to a different level.

Retroactive tweet: @scottpukos This good, but I'd still rather be watching "The Jerk." #TheJerkIsGreat



Bob Hope
I wasn’t alive in during the time these next two legends hosted, but that doesn't make their performances less memorable. And really, YouTube is great for things like this. Also, Bob Hope hosted the Oscars 18 times! That's crazy. You can’t deny Hope was the man.

Retroactive tweet: @scottpukos THIS IS AMAZING. #timetraveltweets



Johnny Carson
Again, never got to watch Johnny Carson host, but there's no doubt in my mind that it was great.

Retroactive tweet: @scottpukos Someone should ask Carson if he's had any premonitions/nightmares about Jay Leno. #LenoBurn #Lenoistheworst



Whoopi Goldberg
Memorable hosts? Just check out this Whoopi Goldberg entrance! Yeah, that's memorable. This was the first Oscar ceremony after Sept. 11, which must have been a tough task.

Retroactive tweet: @scottpukos You don't see enough people named Whoopi now a days. It's a shame. #MySonWillBeNamedWhoopi #Sorry



Ellen DeGeneres
Looking back at Ellen DeGeneres; 2007 hosting gig, it wasn't the most well received performance. Some said it was too similar to when she hosted other shows. I guess there is some truth to that, but I don't mind. I'm an Ellen fan.

Retroactive tweet: @scottpukos If you don't like Ellen, I think there's a good chance that you're evil. #DontBeEvil



Hugh Jackman
Swordfish star Hugh Jackman hosted in 2009, and, man, is it weird to hear him talk in his natural Australian voice. (He was in a movie called Australia, but I haven't seen that.) Also, I get that Oscar hosts often sing, and Jackman is a pretty good singer, but I'd rather see more Wolverine. By that, I mean he should have just hosted the whole show as his X-Men character. He could have chomped on a cigar, had people bash his indestructible adamantium exoskeleton frame with a chair and claw-stabbed Brett Ratner.

Retroactive tweet: @scottpukos Seriously, I really like Swordfish. I think it’s a fun movie. I can’t be the only one, right? #right?



Anne Hathaway and James Franco
Memorable, yes, but not in a good way. I’m a fan of both James Franco and Anne Hathaway (and especially Hathaway as Catwoman), but this was not good. Having said that, I'm always a sucker for when people insert themselves in movies (moviebomb?) and interact with the characters like in the clip above. Always gold.

Retroactive tweet: @scottpukos Someone needs to invent #moviebombing technology and sell it to the public. I would pay any price for this. #MySoul #YourMoveApple