Odds Say 2020 Oscars Will Have a Host, Won’t Be Melissa McCarthy
- Television ratings for the host-less Oscars went up for the first time in five years
- Despite this, sportsbooks are offering odds that there will be a host for next year’s show
- It was the first time in 30 years that the Academy Awards did not have an emcee
To host or not to host? That is the debate underway following the 91st Academy Awards ceremony. Monday’s show was the first time since the 61st Oscars that the show to honor and recognize the best in motion pictures was held without a host, and it seemed to go off without a hitch.
We don’t even notice ‘no host ‘ flawless #Oscars
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) February 25, 2019
Regardless, the popular consensus the day after the show was that it would be a one-off and next year, the 92nd Academy Awards will be held with the traditional host’s role being filled.
Sportsbooks are already out with a prop wager favoring the return of an Oscar host in 2020.
Odds There Will Be an Official Host for 2020 Oscars
| Will There Be an Official Host for 2020 Oscars? | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | -300 |
| No | +200 |
*All odds taken 02/25/19
The last time the Oscars went hostless was in 1989.
The show opened with a musical number featuring actor Rob Lowe and an actress in character as Snow White, but was an epic fail.
They Liked It! They Really Liked It!
Who needs an emcee? Evidently, not the television audience for the Academy Awards. Monday’s show drew the first ratings increase for the Oscars in five years.
Oscar ratings rise in spite of no host https://t.co/OgfiZIMz5I
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) February 25, 2019
The final Nielsen ratings showed that the Oscars was watched in 29.6 million households, an 11% increase over the all-time low viewership established in 2018. Amongst the always-coveted 18-49-year-old demographic, the 7.7 share displayed a 13% gain from last year’s show.
Updated Ratings: #Oscars Rise for First Time in 5 Years, Draws Nearly 30 Million Viewers https://t.co/58Nvqt3lSN
— TVLine.com (@TVLine) February 25, 2019
Perhaps it was the curiosity seekers who tuned in to see if a host-less show would go off the rails and turn into a train wreck. But as it turned out, things flowed quickly and all the awards were doled out in 200 minutes.
Even Fonzie found it to be way cool.
I do not miss a host .. I must say .. it’s moving right along THE OSCAR s
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) February 25, 2019
That outcome also likely pleased ABC, which sought to have the usually drawn-out affair tightened up.
Who Could Be the Host with the Most?
Despite the pace and the larger TV audience, the consensus was that the Oscars minus an emcee simply wasn’t the same show. The night lacked personality and if we know anything about the cult of Hollywood, personality is everything.
There is a real problem in our society, looking for any excuse to dump someone good because there must be one more perfect. And sometimes what you wind up with is no one to host the Oscars at all. pic.twitter.com/Qr1MkxYqi8
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) February 16, 2019
The no host decision drew its share of critics and plenty of suggestions for next year’s show.
Twitter calls for Melissa McCarthy to host the #Oscars next year after hilarious presenter skit: https://t.co/cGhNNpgAJG
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) February 25, 2019
But sportsbooks aren’t on board with the social media campaign for actress Melissa McCarthy.
Odds Melissa McCarthy Will Host the 2020 Oscars
| Will Melissa McCarhty Host the 2020 Oscars? | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | +500 |
| No | -1000 |
Following their hilarious stint together while presenting the best supporting actress, others suggested that they let Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph and Amy Poehler emcee next year… and forever after that.
Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph almost made us forget that there was no host for the #Oscars this year
https://t.co/XxTOtmAEh2— TIME (@TIME) February 25, 2019
Regardless of who’s your choice, it’s almost a certainty that in case of the host-less Oscars, you shouldn’t expect a sequel in 2020.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
