The Oscars / Hosting the Oscars!

[jo]

How were the writers rewarded for their effort?

They won an EMMY for their songwriting efforts for that spectacular Opening Number --

www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8ZavdsbuRA



But their gratification came more instantly -- they have said on another forum that they were in the wings when Hugh was performing that Opener. When the crowd stood in ovation for that number, they said people who saw the writers were probably thinking that they were crazy because they were jumping up and down with joy!

Sophomoric reaction indeed - but who cares! They were so elated by the recognition given to Hugh and his act by his acting peers!

I remember posting only one word after seeing that number ( we get it live) -- "FANTASTIC!" I was actually speechless/wordless from shock, joyous shock - LOL!


Jo

[hughmanity]

The thumbnail still said 9 million something, but when I opened it....has reached 10,000,000+ views! This performance never gets old!

[jo]

A few days ago, it was still short of over ten thousand hits to 10 million -- WOW!

I had predicted earlier in the year (April 2015 ) that it would likely hit this landmark number by the end of the year -- WOW again

Let's watch it once more!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Terhj8mjPwY


CONGRATS, Hugh Jackman !

[jo]

How did the other Oscar hosts do in terms of post-performance internet hits?

Ellen hit over 3 million each for both her Oscar stints - probably the highest level of internet interest, after Hugh's 2009 hosting.

Will Hugh ever host again -- if he does, hope he gets the same team or at least the same level of writing team. That was truly inspired! Hugh's real contribution was that he acted out the script so well -- it wasn't just singing the notes or being light on his feet. He was acting out a performance number brilliantly


Jo

[jo]

GoldDerby is doing a poll on who is the favorite as next year's host for the Oscars. While Hugh is not likely going to be available ( he will be in berserker mode at that time-- filming WOLVERINE 3), his name usually draws a lot of votes.

Let's vote for him again -- maybe he can host the show with his facial and head hair intact and the muscles prominent under the tux

www.goldderby.com/news/9992/neil-patrick-harris-ellen-degeneres-billy-crystal-88th-oscars-host-entertainment-13579086-story.html

[hughmanity]

Speaking of Oscar hosting, I had never seen the entire Barbara Walters interview that aired the night before; only the lap dance and rumors clips. Today someone posted the whole episode. Hugh's portion starts around 26:56.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=_dyiOKVQm2Y

[jo]

In this interview, Hugh mentions that he is interested to host the Oscars again. He also mentions that one of the producers ( David Hill) is Australian. I wonder if he has been approached?

www.msn.com/en-au/sport/watch/home-soil-films/vp-AAdTT8K


An article on the new Oscars producers ( who have indicated they may want two co-hosts, instead of one) --

www.ew.com/article/2015/09/02/new-oscars-producers-changes

[jo]

7 years hence...but Hugh Jackman's 2009 Opening Number still draws fiercely admiring reactions --

www.cookienscreen.com/news/oscar-week-hugh-jackmans-opening-number/

Oscars Week: Hugh Jackman's Opening Number!


22/02/2016 21:39

It’s the countdown to the 88th Academy Awards. Yes, it’s the season that many film lovers get excited for as it will be a night of filmmaking celebrations. Whilst you can certainly recognise that this year is filled with rightly placed controversy, a year where no people of colour were nominated in major categories or women in non-acting roles, there is no one taking away from the excitement of those with nods or the excitement surrounding the glitz and the glam of it all.

So, to kick off a week of anticipation, we have a series of articles for you that will look at the Academy Awards and let’s start by celebrating one of the best opening numbers of in the history of the ceremony…

In 2009, Australian actor Hugh Jackman took hosting duties for the Oscars which was produced by director Bill Condon and Laurence Mark, notably. The hefty weight of responsibility to bring entertainment, wit, and charm to the proceedings is a tentative task to take on. Some succeed whilst many fail (Anne Hathaway and James Franco are a prime example.) Yet Hugh Jackman had audiences in the palm of his adamantium laced hands. Firing off quick witted jokes about range and hosting the awards instead of being nominated, Jackman was already poised to be one of the funniest MCs of the Academy Awards. Then he launched into a musical number.

Writen by Community's Dan Harmon and Parks and Recreations Ben Schwartz, the opening number is one of the best. It is no longer a secret that Jackman can belt out a tune or two (for anyone who followed his career post X-Men.) Before his live-singing, close up action in Les Miserables, Jackman was a Tony winner and musical hero and he brought his crooning skills to the stage of Kodak Theatre Hall in Los Angeles. Lamenting on the recession, Jackman uses cardboard sets to celebrate the movies nominated including Benjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, The Reader, The Wrestler, and even The Dark Knight. Coursing through this recyclable theatre, Jackman leaps through lyrics that reminisce on the film industry as well as those aforementioned films, leading to a musing on what Jackman needs to do to be nominated.

Certain highlights in the opening number include Anne Hathaway singing as Richard Nixon, the Craigslist Dancers, and, honestly, I’d happily re-watch the Benjamin Button on a Budget as Jackman sings about “pubic hair.” The best part is the honest break of composure as Hugh Jackman focuses on The Reader with a weirdly futuristic troupe accompanying him. The performer begins giggling when he laments that “he hasn’t seen The Reader” which makes the performance even better.


The final crescendo where Hugh Jackman exclaims “I am Wolverine” wraps up a raucous and entertaining number that saw the audience leap to their feet in celebration. Reminding us why Jackman is an honest to God, pure cinnamon bun in human form, Hugh Jackman blows every opening number in Academy Award ceremony history out of the water. Seriously, you’ll watch it repeatedly. Fantastically amusing, hilarious, and catchy number which asks “why don’t comic book movies ever get nominated?”

No…seriously, why?

11 million hits and still growing!!


Jo

[jo]

Which brings us back to the following year -- when Annie "woefully" missed Hughie!





I'm still not sure if Hugh knew about the number before it was performed by Annie!


Hey, maybe the number gave Tom Hooper some ideas on a forthcoming project

2009 Oscars -- Hugh hosting
2010 Oscars -- Annie hosting
2011 -- planning for Les Mis
2012 -- Filming Les Mis/ Les Miserables opens!
2013 -- Oscar win for Annie and Oscar nod for Hugh and Les Mis!


Jo

[mamaleh]

Feb 22, 2016 17:08:09 GMT -5 jo said:

7 years hence...but Hugh Jackman's 2009 Opening Number still draws fiercely admiring reactions --

www.cookienscreen.com/news/oscar-week-hugh-jackmans-opening-number/

Oscars Week: Hugh Jackman's Opening Number!


22/02/2016 21:39

It’s the countdown to the 88th Academy Awards. Yes, it’s the season that many film lovers get excited for as it will be a night of filmmaking celebrations. Whilst you can certainly recognise that this year is filled with rightly placed controversy, a year where no people of colour were nominated in major categories or women in non-acting roles, there is no one taking away from the excitement of those with nods or the excitement surrounding the glitz and the glam of it all.

So, to kick off a week of anticipation, we have a series of articles for you that will look at the Academy Awards and let’s start by celebrating one of the best opening numbers of in the history of the ceremony…

In 2009, Australian actor Hugh Jackman took hosting duties for the Oscars which was produced by director Bill Condon and Laurence Mark, notably. The hefty weight of responsibility to bring entertainment, wit, and charm to the proceedings is a tentative task to take on. Some succeed whilst many fail (Anne Hathaway and James Franco are a prime example.) Yet Hugh Jackman had audiences in the palm of his adamantium laced hands. Firing off quick witted jokes about range and hosting the awards instead of being nominated, Jackman was already poised to be one of the funniest MCs of the Academy Awards. Then he launched into a musical number.

Writen by Community's Dan Harmon and Parks and Recreations Ben Schwartz, the opening number is one of the best. It is no longer a secret that Jackman can belt out a tune or two (for anyone who followed his career post X-Men.) Before his live-singing, close up action in Les Miserables, Jackman was a Tony winner and musical hero and he brought his crooning skills to the stage of Kodak Theatre Hall in Los Angeles. Lamenting on the recession, Jackman uses cardboard sets to celebrate the movies nominated including Benjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, The Reader, The Wrestler, and even The Dark Knight. Coursing through this recyclable theatre, Jackman leaps through lyrics that reminisce on the film industry as well as those aforementioned films, leading to a musing on what Jackman needs to do to be nominated.

Certain highlights in the opening number include Anne Hathaway singing as Richard Nixon, the Craigslist Dancers, and, honestly, I’d happily re-watch the Benjamin Button on a Budget as Jackman sings about “pubic hair.” The best part is the honest break of composure as Hugh Jackman focuses on The Reader with a weirdly futuristic troupe accompanying him. The performer begins giggling when he laments that “he hasn’t seen The Reader” which makes the performance even better.


The final crescendo where Hugh Jackman exclaims “I am Wolverine” wraps up a raucous and entertaining number that saw the audience leap to their feet in celebration. Reminding us why Jackman is an honest to God, pure cinnamon bun in human form, Hugh Jackman blows every opening number in Academy Award ceremony history out of the water. Seriously, you’ll watch it repeatedly. Fantastically amusing, hilarious, and catchy number which asks “why don’t comic book movies ever get nominated?”

No…seriously, why?

11 million hits and still growing!!


Jo

Sounds like one of us write that, doesn't it? That hits the nail on the head.

Ellen

[jo]

Nah, not me ... maybe you

Maybe one of the more than 11 million who have viewed it, give or take some repeat online audiences.

The Opening Number is becoming legendary. There was a recent ranking of the top five hosting performances -- Ellen, HUGH, Whoopi, Billy, Bob H !!

www.businessinsider.com/best-oscar-hosts-ranked-2016-2

And it always gets mentioned in any reminiscences about past Oscar hostings!



Jo

[jo]

Always regarded as one the best Oscar hosts ever ( in any yearly list) -- just look at the faces of his peers to see how pleased they were with his performance smiley-happy096

[jo]

Of course I rewatched the video once again ... and came across this feedback written a day ago:

CELT1CPRED 1 day ago
7 years later and this is still so damn fantastic. Amazing what happens when they let someone with showmanship get up there and do their thing instead of read tired jokes from out of touch writers. We watch to be entertained like this, not hear re-hashes of jokes that were already made on twitter months before the oscars.

praise hugh.

[jo]

This author from a UK site says unabashedly that his favorite Oscars host in the last 25 years have been Hugh Jackman and Ellen DeGeneres.

www.ibtimes.co.uk/oscars-2016-best-hosts-include-ellen-degeneres-billy-crystal-hugh-jackman-do-you-agree-poll-1546043

Hugh Jackman - 2009

Hugh Jackman hosting the Oscars
He sang his way to the top of the leader board when it comes to being the best Oscars host of all time(Kevin Winter / Getty)

He sang, he danced, he conquered. There's probably no-one in the world that dislikes Hugh Jackman and on Oscars night, the same thing was true – basically everybody loved him.

When it seemed as if the standup-comic-as-Oscar-host tradition was becoming awfully tired, producers Bill Condon and Lawrence Mark brought in the charismatic movie star to show what a different kind of host could bring to the table. Since then, no other star has come close to doing what Jackman did, maybe because none could.

Hugh's reputation as Oscars host is becoming legendary!


Please don't forget to check the link for the POLL on the best host ever!



Jo

[jo]

Hugh Jackman ‏@realhughjackman · 6h6 hours ago

@chrisrock best advise I got was from @stevemartintogo. 1st 17 mins everyone's a winner. After that, a room of losers. Move it! @theacademy

[mamaleh]

Some thoughts as the Oscars unspool: Why does #OscarsSoWhite translate solely as a diss against black actors? What about Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, etc.? Also, I wonder whether Hugh was asked to be a presenter. Nice to see Russell Crowe as a jovial participant. The opening montage seemed to include fast clips from just about every major film from last year--even from the multi-Razzie nominated FIFTY SHADES--except PAN. Hey, if that SHADES garbage made the cut, why not PAN or CHAPPIE, for that matter? They may not have risen to the level of CITIZEN KANE, but they were certainly more respected than that much-ridiculed movie (which is getting a sequel!). (Ok, the grosses count, but still...). Last, I loved seeing Andy Serkis get some recognition.
Update: very happy for Mark Rylance's surprise Best Supporting win.

Ellen

[foxie]

Very unhappy that Stallone didn't win it was probably his last chance and he deserved it!!!!!!I turned the tv off I got so upset and the show was so boring and CR was so irritating!!and I love the Oscars-weird they talk about Billy Crystal and Ellen but no ne ever mentions Hugh the best!well I saw Eddie today it was GREAT I laughed and sobbed and loved it my husband also it was great!!!

[mamaleh]

I like Stallone, too. In a perfect world, they'd have tied. Still, I got a kick out of Rylance's win. I've seen him several times in Broadway plays, and he's magical. LOL, Frank Stallone seemingly never heard of Rylance; he tweeted "Mark Who?"

Ellen

[jo]

Mark Rylance is a very impressive actor! I wouldn't be surprised if he actually wrests the record of Oscar wins from Daniel Day Lewis over time!

The West End and Broadway must be rejoicing over his win!

Jo

[jo]

Ben Schwartz ‏@rejectedjokes · Feb 28

7 years ago me, @danharmon & @robschrab wrote @realhughjackman's opening number for the #Oscars. Tuxedo'ed weirdos-

http://instagram.com/p/BCWDGsbBTZQ

[jo]

After a lot of perseverance, I finally found a copy of the TIME magazine account of how the number came into being

Joel Stein of TIME magazine wrote about the Oscars Opening Number in 2009 -- it seems that he was not really part of the team which wrote the final version, but he must have been a general kibitzer, an idea man, and sounding board

I WROTE THE OSCARS! by Joel Stein





For reasons I accept but will never fully understand, hundreds of millions of people would rather be entertained by the Oscars than by this column. So I felt vindicated when I got an e-mail three weeks ago from John Palermo, the producing partner of this year's host, Hugh Jackman, saying he liked my work and wanted me to write for the Academy Awards. I wasn't exactly sure how the Academy expected me to craft an opening in which Jackman quickly segued into talking about me and my sophomoric sexual obsessions, but I was up for the challenge.


Since this was clearly the biggest, most important comedy job I'd ever get, I expected the Academy to send an official package of Oscar history, tips from past writers and a truckload of money. Instead, I got just some grainy DVDs of Jackman hosting the Tony Awards. I was starting to wonder if I was really hired by the Oscars when I found out I wasn't. It turns out the Academy hires pros like Bruce Vilanch for the presenter banter but lets the host pick his own team. This makes sense when the host is a comedian with a staff of writers. It makes less sense when the host is known for being PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive. What I've learned from late-night Cinemax is that sexy people don't place a high value on writing.


Luckily, all four of us had a few things in common. We hated The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and had no idea that The Reader wasn't a children's magazine. We also thought Jackman shouldn't tell any jokes and should instead open with a big musical number that references the recession. But every good concept we had we immediately killed because it reminded us of Billy Crystal. You would think that would be a good thing, since Crystal was the most beloved Oscar host ever and got the job eight times. But comedy writers are far more interested in impressing other comedy writers than in pleasing an audience. This is why most comedy sucks. If we thought we could have gotten away with an opening number that made fun of genocide, we would have. Instead, we just wasted hours making those jokes anyway. We also spent a lot of time trying to figure out if we'd get in trouble for ordering room service. The answer, so far, is no.


The only proof that we really were writing for the Oscars is that Jackman would visit our room for a couple of hours each day. To my surprise, the best kind of boss is a sexy boss. Jackman greeted each of us with a giant hug, which would have been a perfect test of how gay I am, except I was totally focused on making sure I wasn't crushed to death by his giant lats. So ... pretty gay. Jackman would laugh uproariously at everything we suggested, which is one of the huge advantages of writing for a noncomedian. He acted out all our stuff, belted out our songs while standing on furniture and even watched most of Be Kind Rewind with us for no good reason. He was so omniscient in his niceness that not only did he look sad when we played him the Christian Bale freak-out tape, but he also, after agreeing to record a parody of it, called Bale to make sure it was cool if we put it online. He even let me try on the real, $18,000 plastic Wolverine claws, which made me want to do a bit about the moon and body hair; the reaction made me realize I probably should have seen an X-Men movie before writing for Jackman.


It soon became clear that not only was writing for the Oscars not the hardest job of my life, it wasn't even the hardest job of my week. We brought in a guy who wrote music, and six days later, the opening number was complete. It's not bad, and when Jackman sings it, it's great. Because while we weren't smart enough to write great jokes, we were smart enough to figure out that Oscar audiences don't remember jokes. They remember whether the host set the celebratory mood, as Crystal did. Our job was to get out of the way of Jackman's charm, and if that meant ordering room service and letting the other writers do all the actual lyric-writing, then I was a fine hire. All the good jokes, by the way, were mine.

[jo]

The final poll results -- Hugh emerges as runaway winner

www.goldderby.com/article/2016/oscars-2017-hugh-jackman-host-ellen-degeneres-whoopi-goldberg-poll-news/


Not to be a wetblanket, I doubt though that Hugh will accept the hosting job for this coming Oscars, if offered. As Greatest Showman will only start actual filming supposedly in mid-November, it is likely that he may still be busy with the project by mid-to late January. In February, we do not know when he will start doing worldwide promo work for his last WOLVERINE movie ( due for release in the USA on March 3, 2017) -- which would likely happen at the latest in the second half of February.

I could be totally wrong...and he could prove to be the greatest showman after all -- talented, versatile, and committed to entertaining people


Jo

[jo]

Someone wrote a lengthy blog on why Hugh Jackman was the best Oscars host in recent times!

www.theodysseyonline.com/hugh-jackman-memorable-award-show-host-opinion

Jan 12, 2017




Hugh Jackman - The Most Memorable Award Show Host

Megan Carey


Well, at least in my opinion.

It's award season!

To some of you that may mean absolutely nothing (shame on you), but to many of us it's that exciting time of the year when Hollywood rolls out the red carpet and gives actors and actresses, and many people behind the scenes, awards for making good movies and reading lines better than most. It's also the time when all the magazines at the beginning of the checkout solely focus on what celebrities wore. It's like a silk rainbow of gowns and suits you'll never get to wear. But you still live vicariously through the Hollywood elite wondering what Emma Stone's lemon yellow chiffon dress would look like on you. However, regardless of what anyone is wearing all eyes end up on the host.

The pre-award season buzzes with potential nominees; funny guys and gals that can bring a wit and grace to any award show. I believe that these men and women come under the most scrutiny. I mean they are on the stage for the most amount of time and must pick up the audience when a political rant went too far, or to lighten up a less than seamless stage transition. Nonetheless, I believe that, aside from Billy Crystal because he really nailed the job, that Hugh Jackman was the best host Tinsel town has seen.

The other night this glamorous season kicked-off with the Golden Globes. This is the one show where television and movies come together. Plus those attending get to drink and eat. It's the one complaint of the Oscars; too many starving artists by the end of the night. Jimmy Fallon, whom I love, was the host. I didn't watch the show and was asleep by 9. However, regardless of my failure to add to the viewership I awoke to pleasant reviews about the late night show host. I always have high hopes for the hosts. Neil Patrick Harris, Tiny and Amy (Ok, yes they killed it), Anne Hathaway and James...well lets just forget that ever happened, and even John Stewart, all managed well on the stage. I'm mainly speaking about the Academy Awards, but only brief moments were memorable and I had hoped for a better show. Now I know it doesn't all fall on them. They are writers and producers who also have a part to play, but Hugh, good old, hansom Hugh Jackman won my heart over.


Hugh Jackman brought a spirit to the stage that I had never seen before. Jackman hosted the 81st Academy Awards in 2009. He opened with a brilliant musical number, swinging Anne Hathaway off her seat and onto the stage proclaiming the musical was back! Mama Mia and High School Musical had hit the big screen and more musicals were in the works at that time. It was an exciting time in Hollywood, and Jackman ran the night with that enthusiasm. The entire night was like watching a musical while people revived awards in between the scenes. Jackman's voice, presence and his unforgettable smile had me at "hello," or whatever his first word was. At some point in the show he was in the middle of a monologue explaining some background on why certain actors and actresses were nominated for the coveted award. He then, and I'm paraphrasing, said, "However, if you're an Australian, playing an Australian, in the movie Australia, you host..." I just thought the line and his delivery was so clever. The musical numbers were exciting and brought the audience out of any potential bore.

What I'm trying to say is that a host can make or break a show and Hugh Jackman raised the bar, in my view. I will never forget that show and wish they would invite him back. Don't get me wrong there have been some really excellent hosts of award shows over the years, and some may disagree with me, but I truly enjoyed myself that night.

If you get a chance you should look up some clips from Hugh Jackman's time as a host. Maybe we can start a fun hashtag and bring him back just like he sang the musical was back!

[jo]

It seems that hosting the Oscars opened a few doors for Hugh Jackman!

Possibly, it helped to lead to his casting as Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES.


But what is really interesting is that it spawned a film project that will take over 7 years to make! The Oscars co-producer Laurence Mark saw Hugh Jackman in rehearsals for the second ( and less famous) musical number from the 2009 Oscars conceived by Baz Luhrmann ... and with the sharp mind of a producer,  immediately thought that Hugh Jackman should be making a movie musical based on the life of showbiz impresario PT Barnum!





Thus, "The Musical Is Back" from the 2009 Oscars heralded a new film musical ( now on the way to becoming a movie musical classic)





It was a long journey but Laurence Mark and Hugh Jackman persevered...took Michael Gracey along for the ride... and with Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, and Keala Settle gave us THE GREATEST SHOWMAN!


Maybe if Hugh ever hosts the Oscars again... it can lead to another movie musical!

[jo]

One of the best and talked-about surprises at the 2009 Oscars was the skit of Hugh and Anne Hathaway for FROST/NIXON.

Many speculated that it was the successful pairing which inspired Tom Hooper to cast them in LES MISERABLES. And had things worked out for the planned remake of CAROUSEL, it also brought on talk that Hugh was trying to persuade Anne to take on the role of Julie Jordan.