Week of Feb. 20: It's a Wonderful Night For Oscar

The Academy Awards are this Sunday. Actor Hugh Jackman will host; predictions for the result of that are up in the air.

The Oscars seem to do best when a comedian with mass appeal to a wide range of audiences is the host. Three have excelled above the rest.

The first was Bob Hope, who hosted a record-setting 18 Academy Awards nights. Hope was effortless whether complaining about his lack of an Oscar, or working with stars who were presenters. And they were real stars:

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

The next great Oscar host was Johnny Carson, who used titles of nominated movies to joke about his marriages and divorces, and seemed equally comfortable joking with Miss Piggy:

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

And a little bonus: On the "Tonight Show," Carson would later spoof the Oscars with the infamous "Sniveling Weasel Awards":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANKazBdsd_0


The third wonderful host has been Billy Crystal, especially with the show openings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFyX5yyPe5M


See you next week. Until then, Happy Oscar Viewing!