Hollywood comes together annually for the most celebrated night of the year: the Academy Awards. It’s a combination of elegance, anxiety, and the absolute unpredictability of a live broadcast. However, the presence or absence of a host is what can either uplift or destroy the whole evening vibe. Some joke and gleam, and others fall so terribly that their names are still mentioned amongst the examples of hostile reactions. Since the scars are almost 100 years old, let’s revisit the five worst and the five best hosts, along with the 2025 show, which has revealed the extent of the change needed.
The 5 Worst Oscar Hosts
5. James Franco & Anne Hathaway (2011)
The two stars of Hollywood who were going to rise the next time got together to win over the young adult character audience, but as a result, it was a failure. Franco was to the point, and it seemed like he wanted to go back to bed, while Anne had to fight with her all-night excess of motion just to make it through. Instead of supporting one another, they were so different that it was torture to watch their interaction.
4. David Letterman (1995)
Letterman’s deadpan works on late-night television, but on the Oscars? No way. His “Oprah, Uma” gag instantly flopped as soon as it was thrown, and the rest of the show never got back on track. Even Letterman later stated it was a failure.
3. Neil Patrick Harris (2015)
Despite his Broadway success, Harris’s hosting of the show was a flop. His jokes went too far into rudeness, and when he made a joke about a winner’s dress after she got very sad because her late son was mentioned, he immediately stopped. Neither his wit nor his affability could rescue him from the embarrassment of the evening.
2. Chevy Chase (1988)
Chase started with “Good evening, Hollywood phonies,” and the audience got very quiet. Then, with some poorly taken jabs at the writers’ strike, the night was downhill from there. As one would guess, Chase was not asked to come back again.
1. Seth MacFarlane (2013)
MacFarlane began with “We Saw Your Boobs,” a tune that offended almost everyone in the room and particularly in light of the content of some of the movies. Throw in low blows at stars Jennifer Aniston and Chris Brown, and his set was called cruel and tone-deaf by critics.
The 5 Best Oscar Hosts
5. Ellen DeGeneres (2014)
During her second term, Ellen realized the perfect combination: gentle, fun humor, and one viral moment that summed up the evening. Her A-list group selfie broke the record for the most retweeted photo ever and made it clear that the Oscars could prosper in the age of social media.
4. Jon Stewart (2008)
Though Stewart’s first performance was not very successful, he came back stronger with more wit and insight. He mocked politics and Hollywood with minimum effort and won over the crowd’s hearts when he brought Markéta Irglová on stage to finish her acceptance speech.
3. Whoopi Goldberg (1994, 1996, 1999, 2002)
The first Black and first solo female host was nobody but Whoopi. Using her charm, wit, and memorable outfits, do you recall Queen Elizabeth I’s dress? She preserved the position as one of the most amusing hosts in the history of the Oscars ceremony.
2. Billy Crystal (1990–2012)
Not many were like Crystal, who took on challenges with great success. By means of musical parodies, sarcastically delivered jokes, and the timing that was so exact it was virtually scientific, he led nine unforgettable nights. His 1998 show attracted the highest number of viewers for an Oscar night broadcast.
1. Bob Hope (1940–1978)
Simply put, the best. Hope was on stage as the host 19 times, more than any other host. His suave one-liners and his showbiz charm made him a Hollywood legend for many years after. Even when given a special medal for service, he couldn’t resist kidding: “You couldn’t tip me or anything, huh?”
The 2025 Oscars: Conan O’ Brien’s Debut
Conan O’ Brien was the host this year, and he didn’t let us down. Using his usual combination of sarcasm and absurdity, he disparaged the event with very effective insults and seemed not to care about the failures. At one time, he even joked that Harry Styles wrapped up a marathon faster than the show.
Nevertheless, even though O’ Brien’s mockery was always appreciated, the gala appeared to be lacking. Odd choices, such as an extremely long James Bond tribute when no Bond movies had been released lately, and a very brief David Lynch recognition during the In Memoria, highlighted the alienation theme. The winners were aligned with daring, futuristic filmmaking, while the telecas looked as if it were stuck in another era.