HOLLYWOOD—The champagne has been sipped and the Oscars are officially over. The 2016 ceremony was a disaster. Only 34.3 million Americans watched the show on February 28, the smallest TV audience in eight years, according to national ratings data. Some said, it was boring, while others simply got tired of hearing about the diversity issue.
The 2015 Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, was seen by 36.6 million Americans. While some hung on to see if Leonardo DiCaprio would win his first Oscar, which he did, others got tired of listening to Chris Rock addressing the all-white line-up of acting nominees. Perhaps, a better choice for the 89th Academy Awards, airing on February 26, 2017, would be Ellen DeGeneres. If they want to play it safe, ask the Queen of Daytime. You may recall, her hosting in 2014. It was a success both in 2007 and 2014. The record-breaking, celebrity-filled selfie and a pizza delivery for big names like Brad Pitt and Meryl Streep.
She may refuse once again. When the Academy approached DeGeneres for the 2015 ceremony, she refused to host for a third time. So who will host the Oscars for 2017? Jimmy Fallon, Kevin Hart or Amy Schumer? I don’t think Seth MacFarlane, who earned some pretty bad mixed reviews would be a good choice. We need to bring back class and old Hollywood style. No controversy, and dark humor and no Donald Duck. No, I’m not making this up.
The host of the 1958 Oscars was the classic cartoon character Donald Duck, who co-hosted the 30th Academy Awards. Bob Hope, Jack Lemmon, David Niven, Rosalind Russell and James Stewart also ran the 1958 show. So, let’s wait and see who will host in 2017. You really have to love Amy Schumer, she became a household name last year following the success of her movie, “Trainwreck.” She also rocked hosting the MTV Movie Awards and made her debut in Studio 8H hosting “Saturday Night Live.”
Amy could bring some of her good friends to help her out such as Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence. Hopefully, Lawrence won’t trip on her gown like she did when she won for Best Actress in “Silver Linings Playbook,” in 2013.
It was also in 2013, that I met Nia Vardalos, who was out promoting her book titled “Instant Mom.” She was just as friendly, sweet and candid as as you could imagine. We all know Nia as the star of the hit movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” On March 25, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” the sequel will be released with the same cast, bringing Nia Vardalos and John Corbett back together again.
The Portokalos family secret brings the characters together for a bigger and Greeker wedding. The long-awaited follow-up to the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time is written by Academy Award nominee Nia Vardalos. The film is produced once again by Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Universal Pictures will distribute the comedy which is directed by Kirk Jones. Will the sequel be like the first hit movie? Well, so far over 3 million people have seen the trailer.
Another film with buzz is “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” being released on March 4. The film stars, Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman and Alfred Molina among many more. Tina Fey steps into the character of journalist Kim Barker in Paramount Pictures adaptation of her memoir “The Taliban Shuffle,” which details her years as a reporter in Pakistan and Afghanistan beginning in 2002.
The movie is directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” is being released days after the film “Spotlight,” won best picture at the Academy Awards. Finally, journalism is being recognized.
Rose’s Scoop: The Disney Channel is developing “High School Musical 4.” Looks like a nationwide casting search is on for the film which will continue the story of the global sensation of the original “High School Musical.”
