The US daytime television Queen was hand-picked to host Hollywood’s night of nights for a second time – having hosted the prestigious awards ceremony in 2007.
Academy Award producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron made the announcement about next year’s show, set to broadcast March 2nd, over the weekend.
“There are few stars today who have Ellen’s gift for comedy, with her great warmth and humanity,” the producers said “She is beloved everywhere,” they added.
Comic DeGeneres took to social media to share the good news, humorously announcing her role to fans on Twitter:
“It’s official: I’m hosting the #Oscars! I’d like to thank @TheAcademy, my wife Portia and, oh dear, there goes the orchestra.”
Many commentaries have said that in choosing DeGeneres, producers of the show are hoping to capitalise on the stars international appeal, opting for a star that most viewers would be ‘familiar and comfortable’ with.
Last year’s Oscars host Seth MacFarlane – better known as the creator of animated show Family Guy – drew mixed review from critics. His ‘edgy’ performance, including a song-and-dance number entitled We Saw Your Boobs left some in the audience more than a little uncomfortable.
MacFarlane was chosen in the hopes of attracting a much younger audience back to boost the Academy Awards ratings, and the producers succeeded in that. Now the heat is on 55-year-old DeGeneres to keep the Oscars 40 million viewers glued to their screens.
Ellen was nominated for an Emmy Award after her last performance hosting the awards more than 5 years ago. Since then her self-titled talk show has won 45 Daytime Emmy Awards during it’s decade-long stint on air.
Hosting the US’ most-watched television event of the year is an honour, one DeGeneres hopes to make a third time: “I am so excited to be hosting the Oscars for the second time. You know what they say — the third time’s the charm.”
The Oscars announcement has our attention on next year’s nominees. Here are a selection of potential Academy Awards winners for the 2014 show:
Best Picture
The Butler
Blue Jasmine
The Monuments Men
American Hustle
August: Osage County
Labour Day
Best Actress
Oprah, The Butler
Meryl Streep, August: Osage County
Naomi Watts, Diana
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock, Gravity
Judi Dench, Philomena
Best Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Michael B Jordan, Fruitvale Station
Idris Elba, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom
Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years A Slave
Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, American Hustle
Cameron Diaz, The Counselor
Catherine Keener, Captain Phillips
Margo Martindale, August: Osage County
Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
Best Supporting Actor
Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years A Slave
Benedict Cumberbatch, August: Osage County
Josh Brolin, Labor Day
John Goodman, Inside Llewyn Davis