Seth MacFarlane: ‘Family Guy’ creator to host Oscars

The 85th annual Academy Awards will be presented Feb. 24 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles. Nominations will be announced Jan. 10 — nearly a week earlier than typically revealed and coming ahead of the Golden Globe Awards.

Mr. MacFarlane said being invited to host the Oscar show “was just an absolute thrill and I’m very much looking forward to it.” He even posted a video on YouTube Monday of him sharing the big news with his dad.

In the minute-long clip, Mr. MacFarlane says he’s been asked to host the Oscars, and his dad responds by offering him some “barely used” bathing suits.

“I’ve invited you here today to tell you I’m hosting the Oscars,” Mr. MacFarlane says. “This should be huge news to you.”

“Of course, it’s wonderful news,” his father replies. “But also the fact that you’re getting almost brand-new bathing suits is also good news.”

When Mr. MacFarlane seems unappreciative, dad snatches back the swimsuits and says, “I’m going to give these to Billy Crystal.”

Mr. Crystal hosted the last Oscar show. Other recent hosts include Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, James Franco and Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Jon Stewart and Ellen DeGeneres.

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