LOS ANGELES – Maybe the Academy Awards need to launch a “Draft Billy” movement. Or even a “Draft Kermit” campaign.
A return to the Oscar stage by Billy Crystal would be a true Hollywood ending after this week’s debacle that started with Brett Ratner’s resignation Tuesday as producer of the show over a gay slur, followed by his pal Eddie Murphy’s departure Wednesday as host.
The most popular host of the Oscars in recent years, Crystal could be a real white knight if he returned to run the show for the first time since 2004.
“There’d be cheers across Hollywood for Billy’s return,” said Tom O’Neil, editor of the awards Web site GoldDerby.com. “That could be the happy ending for this story.”
Murphy’s replacement is the talk of the town, with people in Hollywood speculating whether other past hosts such as Steve Martin or Jon Stewart might return or whether a first-timer such as Tina Fey or Neil Patrick Harris could get the job.
There are even pages on Twitter and Facebook pushing Kermit the Frog and his Muppets pals as Oscar hosts, a truly clever notion that could be just the sort of rainbow connection to bring some fresh magic to Hollywood’s big night.
With
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