Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane is set to host 2013 Oscars next year.
MacFarlane, who is best known for his envelope-pushing animated TV shows Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show made his big-screen directorial debut earlier this year with the irreverent R-rated comedy Ted, which took in more than $420 million at the box office.
This is his first time hosting the Academy Awards, which he called "an overwhelming privilege" and "was the greatest call that I could have gotten in show business."
The film academy apparently decided MacFarlane's first appearance on Oscar's stage should be as host, is because of his latest flick Ted - (one of this year's highest grossing films) about a talking bear and his bromance with his owner, played by Mark Wahlberg. It certainly earned him more insider Hollywood status, rather than simply the guy on the outskirts poking fun.
Clearly they're making another bid to bring younger viewers to the big event, only it's a much smarter bid than two years ago, when the academy selected James Franco and Anne Hathaway to co-host the show, setting a new bar for Oscar-hosting awfulness.
"It's a very specific ceremony with a very specific tone," said MacFarlane. "The challenge will be to keep it funny, keep it lively and stay true to what it is I do. But at the same time adapt to the tone of this event. It's a challenge but I'm looking forward to it."
MacFarlane is also a classically trained singer, and has had a side career as a musical performer. He put out his first record of big-band standards, "Music Is Better Than Words," last year and has played sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall and London's Royal Albert Hall.
Yesterday a video went viral showing Seth sharing the news with his Dad... any parent would be as happy as a ever if his or her kid announced that they are going to host the Academy Awards, but not Seth MacFarlane's. When the newly minted Oscar host invited his dad over to tell him the news - he acts less excited than expected.
(Watch the video below)
The 85th Annual Academy Awards will be broadcast by ABC on Sunday, Feb. 24, live across the country. And, by "live," with MacFarlane hosting, we're guessing that means a several-seconds- longer-than-usual delay, with the finger of the sharpest shooting member of the ABC Decency Police on the button.
Ted Film Information
