Seth MacFarlane to host 85th Oscars

The creator of the award-winning animated TV sitcoms Family Guy and American Dad, Seth MacFarlane, is to host next year’s Oscar ceremony, just months after his successful first foray onto the big screen.

Ted – his part-animated comedy about Mark Wahlberg’s car rental clerk’s friendship with his childhood teddy bear, that came to life – has taken more than £300 million at the box office, around the world. He wrote and directed it, but also voiced the eponymous teddy bear, as he does the main characters in Family Guy and American Dad, and it’s these performing qualities that will be called on next February for one of the highest rated non-sport TV shows of the year.

The event’s producers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, said his performing skills – which include Grammy nominations for his musical-style singing – would blend perfectly with their ideas for making the show entertaining and fresh. “He will be the consummate host, and we are so happy to be working with him.”

MacFarlane himself described the invitation to host the Oscars as “truly an overwhelming privilege.” “I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set forth by my predecessors,” he assured the organisers.

The President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Hawk Koch, described Seth MacFarlane as unbelievably talented. “We couldn’t be happier with the creative team we’ve assembled,” he insisted.

A familiar voice to millions of TV viewers and film goers around the world, the face behind the voice will be on show for a change, as MacFarlane makes his first appearance at an Oscars show in the top job.

 

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