Sacha Baron Cohen was producer’s first choice to host Oscars
February 21st, 2010 - 3:04 pm ICT by ANINew York, Feb 21 (ANI): Oscars producers wanted Sacha Baron Cohen to host the upcoming 82nd Academy Awards show, but Academy turned down the plan.
At an interview with NPR’s “Fresh Air,” Oscars’ producer Adam Shankman said Cohen was the original choice to host the gala when he and co producer Bill Mechanic were sifting through profiles of potential candidates.
The producers thought Cohen’s antics as a swishy fashionista in “Bruno,” a crazy Kazakhstan journalist in “Borat,” and hip-hop-happy Ali G, made him the perfect choice.
However the idea was nixed by the Academy.
“The Academy swatted it down,” the New York Daily News quoted Shankman, the director of “Hairspray”, as saying.
He added: “They thought it was too big of a wild card.”
The awards night slated for March 7 will be co-hosted by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. (ANI)
- Sacha Baron Cohen to present an Oscar - Feb 28, 2010
- Sacha Baron Cohen not welcome to attend Oscars dressed as 'The Dictator' - Feb 23, 2012
- Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin to host 2010 Oscars - Nov 04, 2009
- James Franco, Anne Hathaway to host 2011 Oscars - Nov 30, 2010
- Why is Sacha Baron barred from the Oscar ceremony? - Feb 23, 2012
- Sacha Baron Cohen to play Saddam Hussein - Jan 21, 2011
- Oscars 2010: Up wins the award for the Best Animated Film at the 82nd Academy Awards - Mar 08, 2010
- Oscars 2010: 'The Hurt Locker' wins the Best Original Screenplay Award at the 82nd Academy Awards - Mar 08, 2010
- Alec Baldwin & Steve Martin to host the Oscars 2010 - Nov 05, 2009
- Sacha Baron Cohen to star in film 'inspired by Saddam Hussein book' - Jan 21, 2011
- Oscars 2010: Christoph Waltz wins the award for the Best Supporting actor at the 82nd Academy Awards - Mar 08, 2010
- Oscars 2010: 82nd Academy Awards to be hosted by Alec Baldwin & Steve Martin, can be watched live here - Mar 08, 2010
- Oscars 2010: The New Tenants wins the Best Live Action Short Film award at the 82nd Academy Awards - Mar 08, 2010
- Oscars 2010: Logorama wins the Best Animated Short Film award at the 82nd Academy Awards - Mar 08, 2010
- Isla Fisher doesn't like to discuss her hubby's film ideas with him - Mar 08, 2011
Tags: academy awards, adam shankman, alec baldwin, ali g, antics, awards night, bill mechanic, borat, fashionista, first choice, hairspray, new york daily news, npr, oscars, perfect choice, sacha baron cohen, sifting through, steve martin, wild card, york daily news