Oscars are having trouble finding a host

The Hollywood Reporter

The 91st Academy Awards are less than three months away, yet a host has yet to be lined up because hosting the Academy Awards has become the least-wanted job in show business. "The need to win over so many constituents has put off some of the best candidates, who see little upside in taking on a job that pays only low six figures but requires weeks of work; that usually results in a media flaying; and that does little to boost the host's profile," reports Stephen Galloway. He adds that no past host wants to return, except for Neil Patrick Harris. "Many who might appear perfect to host have sidestepped the job," says Galloway. "Oprah Winfrey. Justin Timberlake. Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Jerry Seinfeld. You name them: The more exciting they are, the more likely they are to say no. Even Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who dazzled at the Golden Globes in 2013, 2014 and 2015, have reportedly passed on the Oscar job. Dwayne Johnson has been mentioned as a Golden Globes host rather than one for the Academy Awards. As to other strong candidates like Stephen Colbert and James Corden, it's unlikely ABC will agree to a rival network superstar being front and center at its biggest awards show." Galloway says the problem is that the Academy "wants to play safe in an era that rewards risk."