On Opposite Day, we do our best* to argue in service of a position that, under normal circumstances, we argue against. Coke people might sing the praises of Pepsi, Cat people might talk about why Dogs make for superior pets, Political Types might put forward the position that is usually held by their opponents. After all, *ANYONE* can beat up a strawman. Here is the kickoff post for the symposium. Here is a list of all the posts so far.
Okay, haters. It’s time to step back. It’s time to wipe those smug grins off your face and to ditch your unflattering comparisons to Billy Crystal. (Because he was so dynamic this year, amirite?) It’s time to let go of your mean girl “Worst Host Ever” snipes.
It’s time to invite James Franco back to host the Oscars.
Yeah, I know your gripes. That he seemed listless and uninterested when he hosted the last time. That poor Anne Hathaway (of whom my opinion has improved substantially since then) was forced to drown in a pool of her own flop sweat. That the edgiest thing they could up with for him to do was put on a dress, which was done and done better in 1959. That his performance could have been charitably described as “embalmed.”
To which I say, “get over it.” You morons wouldn’t know “cool” if it came up and gave you the wedgie you desperately deserve. James Franco is a serious talent, and if you think he has to bow and scrape and tell lame jokes to earn Hollywood’s approval, you’re sadly mistaken. Why, he was nominated for an Academy Award the same night he hosted, and he didn’t even seem nervous! (True, Colin Firth was such a lock for “The King’s Speech” he could have spent every interview on its publicity tour loudly passing gas and still taken home the statuette, but that’s not the point!) What other marquee name conveys both a willingness to do daytime television (which, OK, maybe didn’t go that well) and serious scholarship? Nobody, that’s who.
It’s time to ask him back. It’s time to recognize that Seth MacFarlane is a middling hack who’ll probably spend the whole night doing lame jokes in his Stewie voice. That what Tinseltown needs is an Oscar host not afraid to broadcast indifference and barely-concealed disdain. That Tina Fey and Neil Patrick Harris apparently don’t want the job and decent alternatives are thin on the ground.
It’s time for James Franco… again.
*[Editor’s note: I may not have taken this aspect of things entirely seriously.]
I expect to see a full apology in the threads from James Franco Troll.
I’m hoping the above oozes enough sincerity to be seen as a fitting olive branch.
I must have missed “The James Franco Troll Incident” (my next bandname, BTW) but I see that James Franco Spam has found the thread, down below….
I don’t know if it’s actual spam, or simply non-native English speakers who are going to be sadly disappointed when they finally realize the OP wasn’t real.
And James Franco troll is probably my favorite of all of BT’s (numerous) trolls, eclipsed maybe by the guy who compared me to Josef Mengele.
I’m thinking that if you catch Freaks and Geeks you’d feel a little more forgiving of Mr. Frankel…
Seconding Snarky – if you haven’t seen F & G, you must.
Oh, I am willing to concede with no argument that he is a legitimately talented actor, no question. I think he’s very, very good at that aspect of his career.
Hosting a live awards show? Not so much.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! i am very happy that franco will host the oscars again!!!!!!!!!i think this time he will be better and no so bored and boring!!!!!!!! but i have to say that he is very talented actor and absolutely handsome…..excuse me for my english but i am from greece….
The “Jamesi” is super incredibly talented and he is definately and shall be asked to host the Oscars again!! He is talented in not only acting but in so many facets of his stupendous dynamic career. It’s like anything he touches he is so successful at it!! Hmmmnnn will it be this upcoming one can this really be happening lol!!!!!