Franco, Hathaway Make a Date with Oscar

With Thanksgiving done and the end of the year upon us, seems like awards season is starting to heat up. So of course today's breaking news that AMPAS has asked James Franco and Anne Hathaway to host this year's Oscars ceremony is all anyone can talk about.


First, I have to say I'm a huge fan of both actors and I thought they have done impressive work in the past and no doubt will do more of the same in the near/distant future. I also want to applaud the Academy for thinking outside-the-box going young, but not too young. After all she's already been Oscar nominated and he's pretty much a lock to get his first nomination this year.

But that latter point is exactly why this doesn't seem like the right choice THIS year. As much as I loved Neil Patrick Harris hosting the Emmys last year, the fact that he was nominated did make it a tad awkward. Plus, not as if it had any effect, he was the odds-on favorite to win and instead end up losing to Two and a Half Men's Jon Cryer. Might it be the same case this year with Franco? His impressive work on the 127 Hours already looks to go head to head with with Colin Firth's equally lauded performance in The King's Speech. Would hosting the show leave a bad taste in some voter's mouth the way some of the public already has in light of this news? Then again, does Franco REALLY care about this? I mean this is the guy who very recently did a stint on General Hospital. Seems that worrying about what other people think, especially in regards to his career, is the last thing on his mind. But again, how will that also affect his chances at Oscar glory?

Oddly enough, this might have an opposite effect on Hathaway's chances. Her movie, which debut with low box office results, was largely panned by the critics with a few praises for her work. With those kinds of lackluster results, it looked as if her Oscar campaign ended before it started especially in such a packed year for actresses. With this news, her name is all over the place again and may just remind voters that oh yeah, they love her.

So overall, cool picks, but I heavily question the timing. Will this be a death-knell on either of their careers? Far from it, but hope they thread lightly and bring on the laughs!