Actor Billy Crystal arrives to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' tribute to Sophia Loren on May 4, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Getty Images)
With the Oscars telecast in disarray, Billy Crystal has stepped in to save the show. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a press release Thursday confirming that the beloved comedian would be hosting the show for the ninth time.
Following Brett Ratner's not-so-graceful exit from producing the show, would-be host Eddie Murphy soon followed. The host vaccuum had fans wondering who would step in while some Muppets fans clamored for their favorite puppets to host the show. While Crystal is a seasoned vet on the Oscars stage, this will be the first time he's hosted since 2004.
"Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage," he said in a statement released Thursday. "I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions."
Crystal's announcement comes after we here at Zimbio went through all the trouble of creating a game to determine our audience's first choice for a 2012 Oscar host. Pretend you don't know he's hosting and pick your dream hosts here.
Now that Eddie Murphy has dropped out of his hosting duties for the 2012 Academy Awards, it's time to find his replacement. Who do you want to see running Hollywood's biggest night?
