Seth MacFarlane will be the host of the 2013 Oscars: great choice or just awful?

Not to sound too much like a liberal elitist, but I think most educated, conscientious people have mixed feelings about Seth MacFarlane and all of his creations. Personally, I cannot stand Family Guy, but American Dad is one of my guiltiest pleasures. I didn’t see Ted, but I wanted to, and I laughed at the trailers for it. Seth definitely goes to the “low-brow comedy” well too often, and I think his default position is kind of knee-jerk, casual misogyny. But he’s dating The Khaleesi, and he’s been everywhere this year, and everyone seems to love him nowadays. So, I guess this makes sense? Seth was just chosen to be the 2013 Oscar host. Ugh.

Giggity giggity! Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane will host the 85th Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 24, on ABC.

MacFarlane, 38, who is also the co-creator of American Dad! and The Cleveland Show, is no stranger to live performance. In September, he kicked off Saturday Night Live’s 38th season by hosting the premiere episode, and he’s entertained sold-out audiences at both London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Carnegie Hall.

“Seth is unbelievably talented,” Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences president Hawk Koch said in a statement. “We couldn’t be happier with the creative team we’ve assembled.”

MacFarlane – who has been nominated for 13 Emmys and two Grammys during his illustrious career – shared his own excitement in a statement.

“It’s truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars,” MacFarlane said. “My thoughts upon hearing the news were, one, I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set forth by my predecessors; and two, I hope they don’t find out I hosted the Charlie Sheen Roast.”

[From People]

I realize that Oscar producers are still trying to find the magical host who will bring in crazy ratings and widen the demographics for the Academy Awards’ audience, which skews older and older every year. Basically, producers want the kids to watch the Oscars. So will Seth bring them the younger demo? I don’t know. I will admit that the choice of Seth actually made some kind of sense to me, because he seems to enjoy that sort of Old Hollywood, Rat-Pack, dames-with-big-boobs kind of thing. I imagine he’ll get up there and act like Frank Sinatra. Only with crazy voices.

I cannot believe he’s banging The Khaleesi.

Photos courtesy of WENN, Pacific Coast News.

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158 Responses to “Seth MacFarlane will be the host of the 2013 Oscars: great choice or just awful?”

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  1. Eve says:

    Like Michael K said, the only thing his face should be hosting is a fist.

    The Oscars have been trying really hard to keep me away from the shows…every year I say to myself: “I won’t be watching this year”, but I end up changing my mind and watching some categories.

    Now it’s certain. I won’t be watching this shit.

    P.S.: His constants digs at women — where the butt of the jokes is, inevitably, their appearance, age, or how vaginas are too big or smelly is not “casual”, Kaiser. That is full blown misogyny.

    • SueD says:

      +1. Not appealing.

    • Liv says:

      He seems so full of himself. But let’s see, he can’t be worse than James Franco.

    • Esmom says:

      @Eve, I had the exact same reaction — if the Academy wants me to watch their show, Seth McF is not the way to go. Seriously, how hard is it to find someone decent? The thought of him as host actually makes me long for the return of Franco and Hathaway…and I never imagined I’d ever say that.

      • Eve says:

        I think they’re aiming at a bigger, younger audience.

      • Brown says:

        @Eve, you’re exactly right. They are hoping by having Seth host, younger people will tune in. Not sure what kind of success they will have with him, but Family Guy and his other shows are popular among high school/college crowd, so it might not be a bad tactic.

        Of course, they run the risk of their older viewers who find this dude to be a total idiot NOT tuning in.

      • Amelia says:

        I don’t think it would attract a younger audience, but I think Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry would be quite good.
        I always thought Hugh Jackman was a good choice.

      • stellalovejoydiver says:

        I think Neil Patrick Harris would have been a much better choice, he´s also a lot more famous in the whole world, let alone likeable, than Seth McFart. Or Kathy Griffin, Jimmy Kimmel…

      • Esmom says:

        NPH would be PERFECT.

      • holly hobby says:

        Sorry I don’t like this overgrown Cabbage Patch Doll. If they wanted yucks, they should have hired Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly to cohost. That would be funny. Will can dress up as Ron Burgundy too.

        I’m going to skip this too.

      • Tiffany says:

        IMO, it doesn’t matter who they hire to host if the WRITERS stay the same! The head writer of the Oscars has been doing it for 25 years. He still writes the ancient gags like Franco walking out in drag…without a joke to tell. I was expecting a rubber chicken and a man in a gorilla suit to come running out.

        At the end of the day, there are soooooo many talented writers in Hollywood. They should hire them and let them contribute, instead of lettign the same old men write the same old jokes. Let Seth do most of the writing, and it will really make things a lot fresher.

    • gg says:

      I can’t stand this asshat and his fakely dyed hair either. If you’re a potty-humor jerk AND you have bad hair, you’re dead to me.

    • Mrs. Ari Gold says:

      +1

      I won’t be watching either and I always watch the Oscars because even though they are ridiculous, I love them. Not this year.

      He makes a lot of rape jokes all the time, even jokes about girls being raped by their brothers. He violently hates women. He also makes really ugly jokes about disabled, deaf, gay – you name it. He is a bigot, plain & simple. Thanks for posting your comments Eve! You rock!

      • Amelia says:

        The rape jokes do disturb me quite a bit actually. For the most part, I think MacFarlane is a very talented voice actor trying to make the biggest wave he can by bluntly ripping he p*ss out of the topics most people wouldn’t dare to.
        I don’t think he’s some great genius who’s jokes are in actual fact, incredibly highbrow, merely masquerading as lowbrow, which most people just don’t ‘get’ because they’re too uptight.
        But in his attempt to be as crass as possible in this PC culture we’re living in, simply for the sake of being crass, I think he crosses the line a few too many times for a lot of people. Usually, it takes a great deal to offend me and the odd mysogynist joke or poop joke can make me laugh. But my sister was assaulted a few years back and I do find his jokes about rape and sexual assault to be in quite bad taste.

      • Veruca says:

        @eve —

        Well, it wasn’t regarding Salmon, but I’m glad to see the snark came out anyway.

        Preach it, baby! 😀

      • Emma says:

        Seriously, I’ve been watching FG for years but I can’t remember any rape jokes? Can anyone give an example?

        And it seems like he barely writes any episodes, I quickly checked wikipedia and the last one he wrote seems to be one in season 4.

      • Amelia says:

        Emma – a couple come to mind, I can’t cite the exact season/episode though, I’m afraid.
        One that was aired recently (in the UK, it’s all repeats here) was when Peter was riding a bull and gets bucked off very quickly and since it’s Family Guy, the bull is anthropomorphic.
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFIDVMYx34o
        I know it’s just a cartoon and I might be over-reacting, but if you yourself or if any members of your family have experienced sexual assault, it’s in particularly poor taste.
        Before you’re sexually assaulted, rape jokes might be uncomfortable, or funny, or awkward or they might be any given thing. But after you’re sexually assaulted, they become a trigger. They make you remember what was done to you. And if the joke was about something that wasn’t specifically done to you, you can easily imagine how it *would* feel, because you know from experience how something exactly like that felt. Jokes about rape stop being about a thing that happens out there, somewhere, to people who don’t exist in your world, and they start being about you.

      • Tiffany says:

        If you are saying that he makes jokes about rape, deaf people, etc…then it sounds like he is an equal opportunity comic who isn’t focused ON women, rather he doesn’t exclude them.

        For every joke, there will be someone who had a real life encounter with the subject and find it hurtful. I have known many friends/family members who are victims of assault, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be the subject of comedy. A big part of comedy is taking tragedy and making it absurd.

      • Hakura says:

        @Amelia – I agree with you entirely, in every way. I’ll admit to actually liking Family Guy. It’s one of my guiltiest pleasures, & something that was sort of a bonding experience for my younger brother & I.

        My opinion is that the entire show is geared totally toward crude guy humor. He’s an amazing voice actor & quite talented in this field. But the making fun of horrific experiences like assaults, victimization, & even slight jabs using the holocaust, turn me off completely. Some things don’t belong in comedy.

        But he got where he is by crossing the line, shocking people saying things others wouldn’t. But there are some things that are so ‘wrong’ that you can’t help but giggle (guiltily) at it.

      • flan says:

        @Tifanny. Rape is a traumatic experience. I don’t see any reason why there should be jokes that make light of that.

        Won’t be watching the Oscars.

    • Mrs. Ari Gold says:

      Sorry double post

  2. Lolly says:

    Judging by the third photo, I don’t think HE can believe he’s banging The Khaleesi!

  3. GiGi says:

    I just don’t know about him. He makes me feel like I need a shower… and not in a good way. But when he’s actually speaking, he seems ok, so maybe it’s just his Dbag aura?

  4. Mel says:

    Another Oscars broadcast I won’t be watching. And yes Eve, Michael K said it best 🙂

  5. JH says:

    Sorry, but i find him charming. People are too damn serious. American Dad is one of my favorite shows ever.
    I’m also educated and conscientious, thankyouverymuch.

    • Brown says:

      Yeah, I don’t really find him charming, but I agree that people are too serious. I try to take it with a grain of salt. I don’t agree with a lot of his viewpoints and hate his perpetuation of stereotypes thinly veiled behind “sarcasm,” but whatever. Some of his stuff is funny. The rest of it I just close my ears to. I probably won’t be watching this train wreck regardless.

    • Amelia says:

      Same here. When I get home each night, Family guy followed by American Dad is always on BBC3, so I usually have it on when I’m getting dinner sorted and I find it fairly funny. I don’t ever remember getting offended.
      I actually prefer Family Guy because I love Stewie and I seriously want to punch Stan Smith in the face … God, I’m talking about a cartoon character.
      I think he’ll probably have a good opening number though, in some old Hollywood, big band kind of way.

      • Maria_Spain says:

        +1
        I dont understand why are those toons taking so seriously.
        ps: id like to punch peter griffin 😀

      • EmmaStoneWannabe says:

        Yeah, his opening monologue for SNL showed some hints of Old Hollywood…he can certainly mimick the Rat Pack/Sinatra voice pretty well. I actually think this will be pretty entertaining.

    • Dawn says:

      +1
      Some people just don’t have a sense of humor…
      He’s pretty cute, successful, funny and… not PC at all!!!
      I’m a very independent, educated and successful woman and I don’t take offense w/Family Guy at all!!!

    • Aussie girl says:

      Agreed. Was was kind of excited & intrigued in Seth hosting. I’m totes going to be watching!!!

      • Moneypenny424 says:

        I have a good sense of humor actually. While I think Family Guy is for the most part funny, Seth MacFarlane doesn’t know when to stop with a joke. Something will happen that is funny…and then he’ll just take it too far (usually to the point of total gross-out). No need to gild the lily with excrement, Seth.

        I do at least appreciate that he offends everyone.

      • Moneypenny424 says:

        Sorry Aussie, I meant to reply above, not to your comment!

    • Canda says:

      People ARE too damn serious! Thank you! Although I’ve grown tired of FG every. single. night. (thanks to my husband), it’s still hilarious and genius comedy at most times. Sure, there are jokes that rub me the wrong way, gross me out, or make my jaw hang open while I say, flabbergasted, “really?!?!”

      But for the love of all things holy, it’s COMEDY. It’s supposed to poke fun at things. Obviously, rape and assault aren’t funny, so it takes that much more talent to twist it into a joke (some are huge fails, but still). People, please remove the sticks from your behinds and try to have a laugh!!

      I will most likely watch at least some of it to see how he does as a host. Should be a riot.

  6. Suz says:

    He is talented for sure but that face just screams smug to me.

  7. Smashley says:

    I don’t watch his shows but I LOVED Ted! His humor doesn’t offend me, not much does. I think he’s cute and I think he’ll do a fine job hosting the Oscars.

    I didn’t watch last year because I didn’t like the movies that were nominated. It was a very underwhelming year for movies. If the movies are good this year I’ll watch. 2011 was the best year for movies in recent years. I liked Anne Hathaway as the Oscars host.

  8. Marianne says:

    Ugggghhhh, which means that we will get toilet humor the entire show.

    I’d like to see RDJ do it. Or Justin Timberlake. Or Tina Fey. Were these people NOT available?

  9. SmokeyBlues says:

    I’m thrilled. He’s a genius. He’s making FUN of mysogyny, racism, stereotypes, etc. throwing it in your face to show how ludicrous it all is. I think some people don’t get that.

    • Eve says:

      He’s making FUN of mysogyny, racism, stereotypes, etc. throwing it in your face to show how ludicrous it all is.

      I would agree with that IF that wasn’t the ONLY thing he did.

      I’m sorry, I get that you’re a fan, but trying to spin the kind of humor he does and make it look like something more “profound” than what actually is…is ridiculous.

      Just admit you like his lowbrow comedy, there’s nothing wrong with that (different strokes…). But the condescending “some people don’t get that”? Really? That’s the best argument you have to defend him and the fact you like his humor?

      I get his jokes, all of them. I happen to think they’re simply not funny. They’re offensive for the sake of being offensive.

      • SmokeyBlues says:

        Not saying its profound. Jeez if you are so insulted just don’t watch it and move along. I don’t need some super argument to support what I said, it’s pretty straightforward.
        You may think I’m condescending but dang girl you don’t have to go on the attack. Just change the channel and take a deep breath.

      • Eve says:

        I wasn’t attacking you, I was trying to make a point — it was you who said he was making fun of misogyny, implying that those who didn’t realize that, just didn’t get his humor. I’m ok with people disliking what I like (and vice versa). I’m not ok with someone implying I’m slow/not smart enough to get something just because I happen to disagree with them.

        That’s condescending — and untrue. I get his humor, but just like you think it’s funny, I find the complete opposite.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        I think you’re both right and both wrong 😉

        Not “getting” a particular brand of humor doesn’t make anyone slow/unintelligent, just like relating to a certain TV show doesn’t automatically make you a fan of “lowbrow” comedy.

        Some comedic styles just resonate with us while others just don’t, for whatever reason.

        Never got the appeal of Family Guy but I adore Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which is a show that gets much of the same kind of criticism leveled towards it as Family Guy (“offensive”, “low-brow” etc). If someone said I was a fan of low-brow comedy based on my love for that show, I would tell them that is patently false as the vast majority of slapstick, low-brow comedies are just not funny to me, period.

        What we find humorous is a very subjective, particular thing and I don’t think it’s fair to use that as a guage of intelligence OR of class/good taste.

      • Eve says:

        Yes, Kitten. But I didn’t call anyone names, or suggested they weren’t smart enough because they liked his humor. I didn’t even suggest those who like this particular brand of (or any) low-brow comedy were stupid. I merely stated the reasons why *I* didn’t find him funny.

        They like his shows, fine. I don’t, it should be also fine (they like his shows for the very same reasons I dislike) — but judging by the number of “you just don’t get it”, I guess only the former is (fine).

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        Eve-Oh I know. I just meant that saying someone likes lowbrow humor *could* be taken as an insult, the insinuation being that you don’t “get” or appreciate more sophisticated humor, you only like the dumb, lowest-common-denominator sh*t.

        I’m just saying that I’m not a fan of lowbrow stuff myself, but there are certain shows (like ASIP, which some consider lowbrow) that make me laugh my arse off 😉

      • what?! says:

        what Eve said +1000.

  10. 007 says:

    I have no idea who he is. I’m not an American. What does he do?

    • Jenny says:

      Don’t feel bad. I am American and don’t know who he is.

      • Flim says:

        He makes hilarious, witty, vulgar fun of American culture via animation. Cross the Simpsons with Benny Hill, add a bit of Archie Bunker, and voila!

    • Marigold says:

      He tells the same jokes week after week on a few different television shows. His expectation, because his ego is enormous, is that people will bow to his tremendously funny brand of “humor” and give him endless accolades (and if he doesn’t get them, he will piss and moan like a butthurt teenager). And in his personal life, with few exceptions, he dates stereotypical bimbos because he would never deign to f*ck an intellectual equal.

      • Eve says:

        That is spot on! He tried to play it cool when those South Park episodes (Cartoon Wars) were aired, but actually seemed to be pissed off.

        He’s not a great debater either:

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCdJMNTcWGs

      • Marigold says:

        @Eve, there is no doubt he was absolutely pissed. He likes to control his own image. Anyone else passing judgement will not do.

      • Eve says:

        I can’t say it’s true, but take a look at my reply to Tripmom’s comment #18.

        I read that on IMDb. I would have loved to see him going ahead with that, just so I could watch Parker and Stone tearing him a new one. Again.

      • Marigold says:

        I would have loved it had that unfolded. That’s the difference between Seth and the SP guys-they actually don’t care what people think instead of just pretending not to care and then having a barrage of “I’m better than you” comebacks prepared clearly indicating they care a whole hell of a lot.

      • Camille (TheOriginal) says:

        Give me the The South Park guys over this stuttering nimrod any day of the week.

  11. Sam says:

    Ugh you actually watch American Dad, let alone prefer it to Family Guy? Barf. There’s a reason he has to plug that show everywhere he goes… It sucks.

    Seth McFarlane is hilarious. Who cares that he makes jokes about vaginas. I’m a woman and I’ve made those types of jokes too. Pretty sure all the negative comments on this site regarding women’s looks/weight/etc could be considered as misogynistic too. Lighten up.

    • Jilliterate says:

      Ah, yes, “I’m a woman and I enjoy misogynistic humour, so it can’t be misogyny.” Let’s brush off that old chestnut, shall we? I have no strong feelings on MacFarlane either way and haven’t watched Family Guy in years, but it sounds like you’re not totally sure how misogyny works. You should brush up on the subject, maybe take some Gender Studies classes at the Learning Annex.

      • Me Too says:

        Thank you! So tired of women who think it’s cool to go along with sexist jokes because, hey, they’re just one of the guys and it’s no big deal right? Seems like they think by laughing at all those vagina jokes that their vaginas are somehow exempt from the stupid jokes that “comedians” like Mcfarlane make their money on. I’m sorry, the guy is not funny. At least not anymore. There was a time when FG might have been a little funny. That time is long gone.

  12. Sam says:

    Lol @Eve yes it’s lowbrow but it also sounds like you just don’t get it. There’s one early episode of FG where Peter says he won’t be home for dinner and Lois says she won’t bother making him dinner. He replies something like “No go ahead and make it and just throw it away, don’t want you getting rusty”. THAT’S making fun of misogyny. Peter is a buffoon and his beliefs are idiotic.

    • Eve says:

      Sam, I get it. Believe me, I used to watch Family Guy and, I think, the first two seasons of American Dad.

      I grew tired of his shows/humor. First, I grew tired of the countless rip-offs of The Simpsons (not only the show’s concept, he copies many of The Simpsons’s random jokes, too). Then the meaningless offensiveness, then the (ad nauseum) repetition.

      After I got tired, I started noticing the jokes were simply not funny. One or two things work, but most of the time I caught myself staring at the tv, breathing impatiently, waiting for the “funny” to happen.

      I like lowbrow comedy every once in a while. One of my favourite shows is South Park and they can be A WAY more offensive, in one single episode, than MacFarlane in FG’s entire season. But there must be something else, something creative. Not the very same thing, usually copied from others, over and over again.

      • Esmom says:

        I’m with you. I’m not uptight and it’s not that I don’t get the points he’s trying to make, I just think that a) there are people who do what he does better and b) he’s a terrible choice for Oscar host, where he’ll have a worldwide audience of people who truly don’t get it. His whole schtick is bound to fall really flat.

      • Eve says:

        @ Esmom:

        The notion that those who dislike MacFarlane are uptight old farts or not clever enough to get his jokes is what pisses me off. I’m anything but uptight.

        In the typical, predictable “me versus you” battles on the internet, it’s especially annoying to be called something you’re not just because you think differently.

        One can make a point, for instance…listing the things he/she likes about the shows, without insulting others.

      • Esmom says:

        @Eve, I know, the negativity and lack of civility online can really be a downer for me some days…and then I realize I need to just take a deep breath and step away from the computer.

        Our big city daily newspaper, for example, gets so filled with hateful comments and personal attacks, even on the seemingly most innocuous of topics. There are obviously a lot of angry people out there and the anonymity of online comments, where they can make other people feel small, makes them feel bigger or better, I guess.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        @Esmom & Eve-My approach to that sort of thing is if I wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, then I won’t write it in the comments section.

        I think there’s definite karmic retribution in store for people that are hell-bent on putting negativity** out there.

        **negativity for the sake of negativity, without contributing anything helpful to the conversation.

      • flan says:

        South Park is a lot sharper than his kind of comedy. His is blunt and seems childish.

  13. Cidee says:

    Is he offensive? Low-brow? Inappropriate? Absolutely. I saw “Ted” and made a scene in the theatre I was laughing so hard. Hi-LAR-ious. Lighten up, folks! It’s COMEDY.

  14. Jem says:

    Meh. Even if they got Jesus to host it I still wouldn’t watch. Haven’t cared in years.

    • videli says:

      If they pull such a thing as having Jesus hosting, I would definitely watch.

      • j.eyre says:

        I think I would be fairly interested in Jesus hosting as well. Although, Jesus might be better to host the Grammys, don’t you think?

      • videli says:

        Jesus won’t host the Grammys, for fear that Katy Perry will ask him to show her the peacock – or however the lyrics go.

      • Jordan says:

        Jesus would be the best host ever! If things aren’t going well, he could just turn everyone’s water into wine and all would be forgiven. Of course, the broadcast would be immediately followed by the apocalypse, but hey, you can’t please everyone.

      • j.eyre says:

        You’re absolutely right Jordan – Jesus should host the Golden Globes.

  15. ernie says:

    I can’t deal with his face. There’s something disturbing about it. The grown infant features really freak me out.

    Otherwise don’t know much about the guy. Family Guy was never my flavor either.

    • SmokeyBlues says:

      “Grown infant face” ahhahaha best comment ever. Yeah his face freaks me, too.

    • jules says:

      YES! His face has always creeped me out, but I could never figure out why. Then you come along and nail, head, BAM!

    • EmmaStoneWannabe says:

      Infant face lol..I thought it was a cute baby face until I realized it is a lil bit creepy for a man of almost 40..we’ll go with creepy/cute

    • jinni says:

      I was thinking he looks like an annoy chipmunk humanoid creature, but you’re right. Leo D is also a long time sufferer of grown up babyface.

    • lucy2 says:

      That’s it! I couldn’t figure out what bugged me, but you nailed it.
      I don’t watch any of his shows either, but he just bugs me. Not excited by the idea of him as a host.

    • Anname says:

      He looks like Peter Brady! I can’t get past it, and that darn Brady Bunch song gets in my head…

      • Veruca says:

        Funny how once someone pointed that out to me, I can’t see him any other way.

        Peter Brady with hair plugs.

    • bcgirl says:

      “grown infant features” Ha!

      how about the sh*t eating grin?

  16. ramona says:

    What the HECK is the Khaleesi wearing? She looks like she just left a nightclub in Essex.

  17. tripmom says:

    I’m seriously disappointed. The Oscars is one of my two favorite TV events of the year (the other is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.) I like to watch for the glamour and the spectacle and the CLOTHES! There is nothing glamorous or classy about Seth McFarlane. He sucks IQ points out of you just by being in the same general vicinity. I cannot believe I am going to be subjected to an Oscar ceremony where some dipstick is up on stage doing the Stewie voice.

  18. tripmom says:

    BTW – I don’t get the impression that Seth McFarlane is well liked among his peers either. When South Park did an episode making fun of Family Guy the Simpsons staff sent a thank you muffin basket. The King of the Hill staff sent Trey Parker and Matt Stone flowers with a note telling them they were doing God’s work by making fun of Family Guy.

    • Eve says:

      Actually, they (FG writers) had a comeback prepared. I don’t know if it’s true, but someone mentioned on IMDb boards that they were going to show Trey Parker and Matt Stone hooking-up at “Point Anal”. I guess…suggesting they were gay (very classy and original, non?).

      Apparetly, they decided not to go ahead with it.

  19. bea says:

    If the only jokes you get are the low brow humor ones, then you’re prob. not smart enough for Seth MacFarland’s humor. Along with the fart jokes, there are plenty of reference to films, politics, history, etc.

    He is a genius. He’ll be fantastic as the host – he’s funny, he’s quick on his feet, he can sing – he’s a true showman.

    • Eve says:

      Yes, Bea. Every single person on this board who finds him unfunny is downright stupid. The only smart people are the ones who “get” his amazing, elaborate jokes.

      • Palefire says:

        I AGREE with everything u said all over this post!
        ALL HAIL EVE ! 🙂

      • Me Too says:

        THANK YOU! I guess I’m also one of those stupid people…also, since I wasn’t born in the mid 1990’s, I’m too old to know good comedy. Irreverence is apparently a “generational” thing. Yeah right!

    • JH says:

      I totally agree

      • sowhatnow says:

        I watched him film his PBS special for his big band record, and a girl singer – i think her name was Elizaveta – who opened for him totally stole the show by her old world outfit and performance. He was livid. He didn’t even invite her out back on stage later on, as he did with other guests, although she was waiting there, according to instructions (I was one of the tech that night). The guy is talented, but boy is he full of himself and if anyone dares to cross him or compete with him – forget it. Last I heard, the network asked if they could use one or two of her songs performed in his PBS special, but he flatly told them no, so they had to cut her out. I thought that was pretty low considering she was an up and coming artist and it was a big deal for her – but she made a mistake and upstaged him – to her detriment.

        he thinks he is Frank Sinatra reborn-meets-*insert the greatest comedy writer ever existent*. He is not, not really.

      • Eve says:

        @ Sowhatnow:

        Even Charlie Sheen (Charlie. F*cking. Sheen) managed to be funnier than him in what was supposed to be Sheen’s roast.

        Thanks for sharing that story. I’ve already had the feeling — and read stories/interviews that confirmed — he was a major douchebag, but I always enjoy some extra validation.

    • Suz says:

      Yes, I see what you’re saying here. It’s not that people are simply disagreeing with what you find funny, it’s that they are actually *so stupid* that they don’t understand the subtleties of Seth McWhathisnames humor.

      Because as we all know, humor is a complete absolute!

    • asdasdsd says:

      LOL. The fact that you think his racist, misogynist, homophobic garbage has even the barest semblance of brilliance or transcends dopey hackneyed ploys is way funnier than anything McFarlane has ever written. Keep it up!

  20. EmmaStoneWannabe says:

    I think Jack Nicholson would be a fun one or even Owen Wilson…guess they’re not as relevant anymore? It’s always interesting to see who they pick. Though Hugh Jackman did a great job…anyway lets all calm down, atleast it’s not Russell Brand. He is the absolute worst host ever.

  21. TheOriginalKitten says:

    WGAF? Why is this a big deal? The Oscars are a farce and have been for as long as I can remember.

    I don’t care if they have Charlie Sheen hosting, no potential “train wreck” can make me watch this joke of an awards ceremony.

    As far as Seth McFarland being offensive-I don’t watch Family Guy because I don’t find it funny but I never found it particularly offensive either. Then again, very few things actually offend me. Meh.

    • Esmom says:

      Haha, Charlie Sheen. Don’t give the academy any ideas!

    • Anname says:

      The Oscars have become a farce. Nominations are being decided upon months before movies are even released, and now it seems like the best campaigner wins the award, not the best performance/movie. Weinstein wins because he plays the game.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        Exactly. It’s all about politics, rarely about talent.

      • Me Too says:

        Not to mention the back patting by all the rich celebs who are given hundreds of thousands of dollars of free gifts to “present” awards and who don’t even buy their own dresses or pieces of jewelry because really…why should wealthy people pay for anything? So tired of the plethora of awards shows on TV now. There’s too many of them….they’ve made the Oscars less interesting.

  22. Cody says:

    My favorite Oscar host from years ago was Ellen Degeneres. I think it is getting harder and harder for the Oscar producers to find someone to host the show. It is not a variety show, but a boring awards show with speeches, statues and girls in pretty dresses.

  23. jc126 says:

    I love Seth M. I think he just has a smug face, but he’s charming and down to earth in interviews.

  24. heatheradair says:

    Er, as an educated and conscientious, misogyny-averse girl who likes to blog about feminist stuff:

    I have no problem with him.

    AND: when he hosted SNL, his monologue was totally fine, when he’s acting within the confines of SOME sort of script or when he’s hedging to impress a larger audience: the man delivers.

    I’ll watch (but then, I watch every year, and would probably even watch if Jlo’s boy toy hosted — and that’s saying a lot, I won’t even open a post with his face in the header pic :)).

  25. Esti says:

    Leaving aside whether his TV shows are funny… I don’t see him translating well to hosting an event like the Oscars. His brand of humor depends heavily on sight-gags, the interaction between different characters, and things you can’t say on live television. The Oscars is basically a stand-up act in the worst possible circumstances (you get a minute at a time between random award presentations, you need to appeal to a really broad audience, and you’ve got the live TV constraints). Nothing he’s done in the past suggests to me that he is going to do well in that format.

  26. gg says:

    His face looks exactly like Stewie to me. And why Stewie sounds like an aged English butler is completely beyond me. It’s not ironic, just stupid.

  27. Az says:

    This is the one guy who does not give a crap about offending anybody and who, thanks to Ted, is positioned well enough to say what he wants to whomever he wants withought being afraid to derail his career. It will be interesting to see if he actually does it or if he pussies out.

    • Me Too says:

      He’ll pussy out. He’s no Ricky Gervais. Ted only cemented in him the desire to be mainstream. As much as several posters on this thread seem to believe he’s the second coming to comedy, the guy is a one hit wonder comedian. He doesn’t have the skill to ad lib the same way that Gervais, Stewart, Rock, Maher can.

  28. Rachel says:

    I can’t believe he’s dating that beautiful girl….I just can’t.

  29. Gracie says:

    Why are people getting soooo worked up over him? Seriously, on every post about him, I’m all like bracing myself for the shitstorm. Y’all are acting like he stole something from you or ran over your cat! Jeez, so much vitriol for an animator. Oh well, it’s still press I guess. Anyways, I enjoy his style of comedy, I enjoy shows like Family Guy, AD, South Park, Tosh.0, Workaholics, and many holy offensive online shows as well. The more taboo a subject, the more I enjoy it. For me, there’s too much PC nowadays, and holy offensive comedy is a way for me to counter that. It may be a generational thing as well, my generation, people born in the 90’s, seem to gravitate towards comedy like that, while o,dee generations seem to be wary of it.

    • Gracie says:

      Damn autocorrect, I meant *highly, but I enjoy religion-bashing as well ;-p

    • Gigi says:

      I agree. Humor isn’t universal–if people don’t like him fine, if they do, fine, but I think he’s doing is job because even the very mention of his name creates a knee jerk reaction for some people and that seems to be what he wants. He likes to court controversy and that’s it.

    • Me Too says:

      Us “older folks” also like off the wall comedy–actually comedy like McFarlane’s is not new…he’s channeling lots of comedians from the 80’s, even before that. Irreverence isn’t limited to your generation. Ask Bill Maher, Chris Rock, and many, many other comedians who make McFarlane look like a light weight.

  30. Maya says:

    This is sad. I was actually looking forward to the Oscars this year because it seems like there are a lot of interesting movies coming out that will probably get attention come Oscar night. But I can’t deal with looking at that smug face for three hours.

  31. videli says:

    I tried to watch Family Guy several times, but I found it mean-spirited and shrill. It’s not that it’s not funny, and I also often revel in the lowbrow and campy. I don’t mind vagina jokes, but the Family Guy humor ends up making me feel a little dirty. I’m Team The Simpsons.

    • MST says:

      He is an atheist, and while I don’t have a problem with that, I do not like the way he constantly makes fun of Christians in a nasty way. Yes, I know its hip to make fun of us — after all, we hate women, are anti-choice fanatics, homophobes, believe in fairy tales, and have been sometimes known to kick dogs — but I am just waiting for someone on television or stage (e.g., “The Book of Mormon”) to ridicule Islam the way they do Christianity.

      • videli says:

        I’m a Progressive Christian myself, and, while I’m fairly ignorant on FG’s take on Christians, it seems more fair game to tackle something that’s mainstream and somehow belonging to you. So I’d be in a better position to make fun of Christians, than, I don’t know, Jainists.I think the problem with humor is not the quantity of PC in it, but how hateful or light hearted it is.

      • Gracie says:

        Well, considering the amount of bigots that claim themselves religious, the ridicule is not going away. I’m an Atheist as well, so it doesn’t bother me in any slight manner. But, I will say that most theists can take a joke better than Muslims. There are religious extremists in every sect, but if you even ridicule “Allah” in any way shape or form, they go apeshit. You see what’s happening after than whole “innocence of Muslims” movie, I honestly think they just wanted to be violent, but Southpark creators tried to mock Islam, and got some very intense death threats.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        Eh. I’m an atheist and I will second what Videli and Gracie said. Take it as a compliment that some Christians have a better sense of humor than the average Muslim. Judging by the recent embassy bombings and taking into consideration the safety of our troops, I would say a play mocking The Prophet Muhammad would probably be a bad idea.

        And if it’s any consolation, I grew up in a Catholic town and was consistently teased and called a devil-worshipper for being an atheist. So yeah, all religions and (non)religions get mocked at some point-sorry, but I don’t think it’s unique to Christianity.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        **meant I agree with MST and Gracie.

  32. videli says:

    Oh yeah, and I want Tina Fey to host.

  33. Rachel says:

    Well, I guess now I don’t have to worry about staying up late to watch the Oscars. I’ll just watch the red carpet then tune out.

  34. tripmom says:

    Can we just name Ricky Gervais the permanent host of everything?

  35. Boo says:

    I can’t stand him and may well skip watching the Oscars this year. Yuck and yuck.

    Run away, Khaleesi! He’ll get his vinegar and water all over you, and you will NEVER. BE. THE. SAME!!!

  36. Anoni Mus says:

    Ugh. I wish the Oscars went against the current and aimed for a classier show (like the Oscars of yore).

    Seth McFarlane is not the way to go.

    My take? If people want to see an irreverent, pop-culture filled awards show, there are many out there from the People’s Choice Awards to the VMA’s et al. Why do the Oscars have to compete with that drivel now? Keep it classy Oscars!

    • asdasdsd says:

      Agreed. The Oscars is a stuffy pretentious self-aggrandizing ceremony and it always will be. Their attempts to dress it up as something that appeals to a younger crowd is annoying and desperate. Just take out your dentures, turn up the heat and go to bed, Oscars.

  37. I wonder what it would be like to have a smaller Oscars. What if they found a way, using social media and modern technology, to make viewers feel like they’re actually involved in the show?

    I don’t think the host is the problem. Or, at least, I don’t think the host is the only problem.

  38. Onyx XV says:

    Had no idea Seth McF gets people’s knickers so twisted up in knots! Seems simple enough to me that if you like his work, you watch it. If you don’t, you don’t. No biggie. I personally don’t give a flying F who hosts the Oscars because I never watch. It’s boring no matter who the host is.

  39. Yaya says:

    I like seth but i think jimmy fallon should host (:

  40. some bitch says:

    Ugh. I can’t stand this unfunny, sexist douche. Regurgitating old internet memes is not quality entertainment.

  41. Would Vincet Cassel Wear This? says:

    Given how un-pc Seth’s work is the hostility towards him is entirely predictable and tedious. Saying Seth condones rape and misogyny because of some of the jokes in his work is like saying any number of movie directors condone real life violence because of the content in their movies. Film and television isn’t real life, people! When i laugh at Stan Smith and Peter Griffin I’m not laughing because i agree with them I’m laughing at what colossal idiots they are. Like him or not Seth is a predgious talent who has churned out a massive body of work. Sure he’s created some low-brow buffoons like Stan and Peter but he’s also created some incredibly interesting ones like Roger Smith and Stewie Griffin. He’s also a very talented voice actor, singer and composer. I think he’s a great choice for the Oscars and I’m looking forward to his opening routine.

  42. squirrelbait says:

    i don’t care how funny people think he is or isn’t…he was a regular customer at the market i used to work at and he’s just an asshole. he would treat everyone terribly. even co workers that loved his work began to hate him. see how annoying and smug his face is? well his personality is 100x worse.

    • Onyx XV says:

      Interesting! I totally believe you. I like Family Guy, but I have always thought Seth looks extremely smug and full of himself.

  43. writrgal says:

    This is why I think MacFarlane is such a jerk-

    http://www.celebitchy.com/184464/seth_macfarlane_on_feud_w_jon_stewart_my_publicist_forbid_me_to_talk_about_it/

    He was so wrong to go after Jon Stewart regarding the writers strike – but then he also dredges the whole thing up all over again on a PR junket. The thing that most people don’t know and that Jon Stewart is too classy to publicize is that Jon only stayed on the air to save the jobs of his staff and crew that would have been fired if he stayed off the air. Also – he paid the salaries of all the writers out of his own pocket for the 14 weeks they were on strike. AND – he was instrumental in the WGA reaching an agreement.

    Douche MacFarlane knew all this but still used the “2008 feud” with Jon Stewart to get PR for himself in 2011. And Jon was still classy enough to have him on TDS this past year. MacFarlane is a total douche to everyone around him when he is not on camera.

    Whew! I feel better getting all that off my chest!

    • flan says:

      Wow, thanks for writing this down. I had no idea.

      Makes me like Jon Stewart more and this guy even less.

    • asdasdsd says:

      THIS! Guy is an opportunistic dip shit who would sell his own mother for some recognition…but he can’t…because she’s dead.

      OOOOOOOOH SNAP! ME SO CONTROVERSIAL!

  44. Gigohead says:

    I like Seth because I in fact like the Cleveland Show and can take Family Guy in spurs. But I’m glad a lot of people here share my sentiment — HE IS NOT ALL THAT! I hate the lauding and lauding how he is such a “genius” and I really don’t see it. I didn’t find Ted to be such a novel concept, in fact, there was talks of Norm Macdonald being a CGI gingerbread man for years before the project was scraped.

    Bill Maher brings in him when he hosts Piers Morgan and salivates over him and I don’t see what makes him so special. I think Seth is a legend in his own mind and those who are paid to kiss his ass.

    That girl by the way, is just of many flavors of the month which is what he seems to view women. I see it over in less than 6 months.

  45. citygirlsf says:

    I love him.

    That said, I think he’s a bad idea as host. I predict lots of forced jokes for shock-value, and much uncomfortable laughter in return.

  46. Adrien says:

    I don’t mind Seth but I was hoping for NPH. Seth can actually sing. He did a Frank Sinatra style album, so why not? Just don’t expect him to do a Ricky Gervais. It’s the Oscars.

  47. savedbykittylitter says:

    “I cannot believe he’s banging The Khaleesi.”
    Agree Kaiser , I just cannot, but lucky guy

  48. dana says:

    The New Yorker had a profile about MacFarlane when Ted got released that I recommend people read.

    http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/06/18/120618fa_fact_hoffman

    It talked about the string of young starlets he dated, and he justified that by saying that he wasn’t looking for an intellectual equal- at the end of the day, he’s tired from work and doesn’t want to go home to talk deep things with the person he’s dating.

    But, I thought that was more than a bit condescending because he didn’t come across in the profile as that intelligent or deep. Instead, I thought he came across more as a empty suit living in an empty McMansion.

    His TV family creations aren’t inspired or reflective of his own family; they’re just an amalgam of all the TV families he watched growing up. It does lead credence to EW’s criticism of the Family Guy as “The Simpsons as conceived by a singularly sophomoric mind that lacks any reference point beyond other TV shows”

    When he sings, he does it in a technically flawless manner, but there’s nothing deeper that he taps into. He mentions how that’s what Frank Sinatra did, but the songs we remember of Sinatra are the ones after he got his heart broken by Ava Gardner.

    • dana says:

      And, in that same profile, he addresses the controversy of the ethnic jokes.

      At first, MacFarlane attempts the enlightened liberal defense where he’s really making fun of racists and stereotypes.

      But, then he admits he just finds those jokes funny and that there’s some truth to those stereotypes by pointing out the ethnicity of his writing staff.

      And, I don’t buy the equal opportunity defense either where its okay because everything goes and he makes fun of everybody. They’d bring a tanning machine to the office, and MacFalane would excuse himself to get sprayed. But, none of the writers could make a joke about it when MacFarlane would return, freshly tanned.

  49. Str8Shooter says:

    Wow..he LITERALLY has a cartoon face!