Oscars 2014: 10 Things The Academy Can Learn From Sunday Night

7. Play To Your Host's StrengthsMacFarlane Flying Nun Seth MacFarlane was a great choice for hosting The Oscars, as his humor really did reach to both sides of the age divide. Indeed, both young and old seemed offended by some of the jokes he bombed throughout the evening, but there were also moments that everyone could enjoy as well. MacFarlane's ability to recover from a bad joke was impeccable, and the usage of that Sound of Music gag introducing Christopher Plummer was one of the best Oscar moments of recent memory. There's clearly a spark that Seth brings to the proceedings, and it should be encouraged. But it also needs to be reigned in and refined so we don't end up hearing about how crass, sexist, and downright inappropriate the gags were from the show. Though to be fair, how quickly we forget Ricky Gervais' roasting of the Golden Globes. A job done so snarkily, they invited him back for a second go. Hire back Seth, but next time make sure he comes off as more of an old time showman with a quick line and not whatever you would call his work on Sunday. (Yes, he's said no to ever hosting again, but after some time to let the wounds heal and the fanfare die down, maybe he'll change his tune. A guy can dream, can't he?)

Contributor
Contributor

Mike Reyes may or may not be a Time Lord, but he's definitely the Doctor Who editor here at What Culture. In addition to his work at What Culture, Mr. Reyes writes for Cocktails and Movies, as well as his own personal blogs Mr. Controversy and The Bookish Kind. On top of that, he's also got a couple Short Stories and Novels in various states of completion, like any good writer worth their salt. He resides in New Jersey, and compiles his work from all publications on his Facebook page.