Ted director Seth MacFarlane to host Oscars
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LOS ANGELES (REUTERS) - Outspoken comedian Seth MacFarlane, will host the Oscars ceremony in February in a choice seen aimed at attracting younger viewers to the movie industry’s biggest night.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, which produces the Oscars, announced the selection on Monday of first-time host MacFarlane, known for his no-holds-barred humor and cultural satire on Family Guy.
Oscars telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said in a statement they picked MacFarlane, 38, because “his performing skills blend perfectly with our ideas for making the show entertaining and fresh,” calling him the “consummate host”.
"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," MacFarlane said in a statement, alluding to a televised sendup of actor Sheen on the Comedy Central channel.
