Celebrated comedian Whoopi Goldberg has signed on to present the 74th Annual Academy Awards on March 24, the first to take place in Oscar’s new multi-million dollar Tinseltown digs, the Kodak Theater.
“I’m delighted to be asked to once again host the awards,” said the Ghost star. “It’ll be the first broadcast done from Oscar’s new home and I love a housewarming.”
This is a far cry from Whoopi’s previous musings on the subject, however. Critics were less-than-impressed with her 1999 outing and the Sister Act star vowed she’d never take the job again.
“Hell, no!” she told The Toronto Sun last March. “Nobody can tame that beast. It is an untamable beast. I challenge any writer, any TV critic, to get up and try it… It’s a tough gig and nobody understands it. We’re not all Billy.”
Billy would be Billy Crystal, the benchmark of Oscar hosts in the eyes of many. He presented the famed ceremony throughout the Nineties and scored six Emmy nominations for his outstanding performances.
Telecast producer Laura is simply thrilled to have the Jumpin' Jack Flash star, who handled hosting duties in 1994, 1996 and 1999, back at the podium. “Whoopi has such warmth and humanity,” she says.
Nominations for this year's honours will be announced live on February 12.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
