20 Women Who Could Host the Oscars
The 2019 Oscars are set to take place on Sunday, February 24, and as of January 10, still do not have a host following Kevin Hart's decision to step down amid backlash over old homophobic tweets. According to some reports, the show will instead use various celebrities (including the cast of The Avengers) to introduce different segments. The Academy has remained silent so far on telecast plans, but if they change their minds about not having a host — or just want to get a head start on next year — we'd like to suggest the gig be given to one or more of these hilarious women who light up the screen, often even from the stage as a presenter at various awards shows. (Photos via Getty Images)
Melissa McCarthy: McCarthy has already proved herself a pro at hosting live TV as one of the funniest and most memorable recurring Saturday Night Live hosts, and while her genius physical comedy might be more at home in sketches, her infectious presence and warmth would absolutely shine on the Oscars stage. It's also possible that McCarthy could potentially land a Best Actress nomination for her role in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, which, as we saw from Golden Globes co-host Sandra Oh's win for Killing Eve, makes for some extra special television. Plus: she might bring more secret sandwiches! (Photo via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Tiffany Haddish: After presenting alongside Maya Rudolph at the 2018 Oscars, viewers immediately called for one or both of the two stars to helm the 2019 telecast. The Night School actress has experience hosting SNL and the MTV Movie & TV Awards, and she's already said she's game — as long as she gets paid, naturally. Haddish's outrageous energy would be a breath of fresh air at the Oscars, and to borrow a phrase from the comedian herself, we're ready! (Photo via Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Meesika)
Maya Rudolph: Rudolph slayed alongside Haddish at the 2018 Oscars, and her proposal bit with Amy Poehler at the 2019 Golden Globes proves she's game to do what it takes to entertain viewers. She's also a master impressionist and a fearless and confident comedian — which rank pretty high on the list of what it takes to carry Hollywood's biggest night. (Photo via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Awkwafina: After a breakout year with roles in Ocean's 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, former YouTube star Awkwafina is becoming a household name — but she's still an unpredictable-enough choice to bring some potential new viewers and intrigue to the sometimes-stuffy awards circuit. Plus, her comedic chops and energy made for one of the funniest segments on John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's Legendary Christmas special. (Photo via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Constance Wu: Like her Crazy Rich Asians costar Awkwafina, Wu had a big year. What better way to celebrate her accomplishments — and the recent historic steps forward for Asian actresses, in general — than by giving her a spotlight at the Oscars? As Jessica on Fresh Off the Boat (which airs on the Oscars' network, ABC), Wu is one of the funniest women currently working on TV. She'd shine. (Photo via John Sciulli/Getty Images for FIJI Water)
Kristen Wiig: Her comedy stylings might be a little left-of-center of those of fellow SNL alum Maya Rudolph, but Wiig has twice stolen the show as a Golden Globes presenter: once with Will Ferrell in 2013, and again with a hilariously dark bit alongside Steve Carrell in 2017. (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler: The three years that Fey and Poehler co-hosted the Golden Globes, from 2013 to 2015, were truly, well, golden. These two have decades of comedic chemistry, and they're Hollywood veterans and hosting pros. There is no reason to not let them host literally all the things. (Photo via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Louis-Dreyfus has delivered acceptance speech gold in the five consecutive years she's won Emmys trophies for her role as Selina Meyer in Veep. We get the feeling that she might bring Selina's super-relatable "over-it" vibe to the Oscars, too, and we're kind of into it. (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Kate McKinnon: McKinnon would bring tons of live TV experience and Emmy-winning comedic chops to the Oscars — plus those genuine weirdo qualities that we love her for, ensuring tons of memorable moments and memes from the evening. (Photo via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Allison Janney: Janney is an awards show veteran — she even nabbed her first Academy Award for I, Tonya in 2018 — who tends to totally steal the show at the podium. The actress' recent role in Hereditary earned some Oscar buzz early on, and while the film didn't get any Golden Globes love, we'd love to see Janney make an appearance on the Oscars stage one way or the other — or both. (Photo via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Queen Latifah: Beloved music, movie, and TV legend Queen Latifah has several hosting stints under her belt, including the 2014 Grammy Awards and multiple appearances on Saturday Night Live. There was even a petition to have her host the Oscars a few years ago. Having Latifah host would feel like a return to a more familiar version of the establishment awards show — and we mean that in the best way possible. (Photo via Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
Regina Hall: Hall's lengthy comedic résumé places her in esteemed hosting territory alongside some of the show's biggest past names, and her recent turn in Support the Girls challenged our expectations of her output in the same way seeing her lead the Oscars telecast would. She also slays the late-night talk show circuit and is no stranger to an awards show. We're just saying, Academy. Think about it. (Photo via Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)
The Ocean's 8 Cast: Awkwafina's name has already appeared on this wish list, but we'd love to see the Academy do something bold and different, like have the all-star Ocean's 8 cast take over hosting duties. The crew — which also includes Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Helena Bonham Carter, and 2011 Oscars co-host Anne Hathaway — could easily split into several combinations to introduce presenters and segments, keeping things fresh and very, very fun. (Photo via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
