My take on the Oscar hosts: James Franco is a lazy, smug, unprofessional douchebag, and Anne Hathaway is a champ. I honestly feel that James did himself no favors with his performance (lack thereof) as host, where Anne’s enthusiasm and professionalism probably won her even more support and goodwill in Hollywood. Coming out of the Oscars, I just had so much respect and sympathy for Anne – she was working her ass off, and James was either doing absolutely nothing, or he was actively hampering her efforts to be cheerful and upbeat. That’s just my take on things, but I know some people disagree.
Now Us Weekly has a “source” who claims that Anne and James totally hate each other after their critically panned performance. While I wouldn’t blame Anne at all for trashing James, what is James’ problem with Anne, for the love of God?
No winners here! A source tells Us Weekly that Anne Hathaway, 28, and James Franco grew to “hate each other” as they rehearsed to host the Oscars Feb. 27.
“She had to provide all the energy — he was just phoning it in,” says a second insider. (“James seemed in his own little world,” during the Oscar telecast, says another source. “Producers were pissed.”)
In fact, as UsMagazine.com reported Monday, after the awards, Franco, 32, skipped his own party at L.A.’s The Writer’s Room.
“He went immediately back to NYC because he was pissed about how the show went,” adds a third source.
Franco’s rep responds, “This is absolutely not true,” while Hathaway’s rep says, “Anne had a wonderful experience with him.”
Still, fans should expect a new MC in 2012. Insiders say both Hugh Jackman and Billy Crystal want the gig again.
[From Us Weekly]
Yeah, Anne was on Oprah yesterday, and she was completely gracious about working with James, and she went out of her way to compliment him. That too will likely win her some fans – she’s not going all Heigl and bitching and moaning and nailing herself to the cross. But even if she did, would you blame her? Their chemistry was terrible, and it was completely Franco’s fault. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that James has been completely MIA post-Oscars. He didn’t go on Oprah, he didn’t go to any of the parties… I really think that he got some sand in his vagina because now everybody knows what a toolbox he is.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I still love him, though! Whats the problem with me??
It really is too bad he had to act like such a prima donna by skipping out on his work obligations. Do you suppose it was because he didn’t win an Oscar? Either way, it was inexcusable, and Anne was left to pick up the slack which she did and she is being incredibly gracious about it.
They were both awful. Franco is, and always has been, a tool; I don’t know what the hell the Oscar people were thinking in hiring him in the first place! But Anne Hathaway was stomping all over my nerves during the show. Please- She was “woo-wooing” the stars. It was tacky as hell. I don’t remember reading one story about how their “chemistry” worked. Everyone pretty much assumed it was going to be a trainwreck and it was. I lay the blame at the feet of the producers who must have just crossed their fingers and hoped for the best.
When I first heard they were presenting together it seemed such a mis-match. Mr. Too Cool for School and Miss Goody2Shoes.
Hugh Jackman and Anne would have made more sense.
I’d love to see either or both Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin back personally.
She got emotional when Billy Crystal told her she did a good job. Poor girl, if James didn’t give a crap on the show, imagine the rehearsals. She is probably so glad it is over.
“Franco is, and always has been, a tool; I don’t know what the hell the Oscar people were thinking in hiring him in the first place!”
I know!!! WHY would they have picked him????? Or her?
I have nothing but respect for Anne and I agree with you, Kaiser. She won people over and he comes out looking like a tool. Oh well James, maybe next time you could at least TRY. That’s what is so annoying, he didn’t even seem to try. If he had, I think most people would have been complaining about the lame, unimaginative writing and lack of anything interesting in the show from the producers, not about Anne or James. Such poor form all around, James.
I think she’s too lazy to hate her. I will never understand what people saw in him. (And this is totally random but: Ian Kinsler, the second baseman for my Rangers looks like his long lost brother.)
He wrote on his twitter that he needed to get back to school. I want to add that no, I am not a fan of his.
JAMES FRANCO IS AWESOME! He doesn’t try to pretend to be someone he is not. He had crap lines to work with and a way too over excited co-host. I think his performance was just that, a performance. He played the bored out of it host comparable to the over the top host. I don’t see why so many people hate on him.
There are also rumors that james franco had “a series of dinner meetings” with lindsay lohan because they want to work on a “sex book” together. Have you read it, kaiser?
UGH!!! What’s wrong with him, rightet now? I used to love him.
I thought she tried to flirt with him several years ago at a party, and he rejecd her?
Granted, it’s probably blohan who created these rumors….. It’s lainey who will be happy with james”I went to film school” franco!
I gotta say Anne Hathaway and James Franco had no business hosting the awards. This Oscar thing won’t make me love Anne any more or James any less.
James goes to two schools, he was a NOMINEE at the Oscars, and he had to play host to a room of his peers. He was under a lot of stress and pressure I imagine. I mean I could care less about this. I of course don’t believe anything Us Weekly prints so I doubt they hate each other but they didn’t have chemistry whatsoever, the show was bound to suck from the moment they took the job. I believe the nice things Anne said about him.
Its not really anyone’s fault the show stunk expect the producers. Besides Anne has always been full of energy. She is great on SNL and James has always been laid back. Even on talk shows and stuff.
I’d venture the guess that he was baked.
They were both bad choices to host.
The total cr*p these tabloids invent astounds me.
I have hard evidence that will clear this all up.
The floozy gave him a hand job during the show!!
That’s how much she likes him.
Video NSFW *shifty*
http://www.whosay.com/jamesfranco/videos/14099
He acted like he was on some kind of downers the whole time. She’s not the greatest. I think next time the producers should just go with what they know works, Billy Crystal, etc.
TEAM FRANCO ( can’t believe I said TEAM).
I think they need comedians to host. It is really sad when ancient clips of Bob Hope hosting got the most laughs. Young and hip my ass.
I was really disappointed in Franco…I did enjoy Anne’s spirit of things given what she was dealing with and Franco looked so high (what was he thinking)
The highlight for me was Franco’s drag get-up and Charlie Sheen comment and that was it.
I thought Anne was lovely and really worked her butt off. I still love Franco because he’s a fantastic nutjob – but that’s also why it was a dumb idea to have him host an awards show. I would love to see Anne and Hugh Jackman. They would be charming. Heck, I’d love Anne and Kirk Douglas. Way to get upstaged by a little old man, there, Franco, you doofus.
Let’s face it, the Oscar telecast is bloated, boring and HORRIBLY written. The best any host can do is appear cheerful and good-natured about it.
I thought Anne was wonderful and was obviously working her ass off. I have a whole new respect for her. Franco, not so much. He acted too cool for the job and came across like a major douche.
Ann was annoying.
Haven’t liked her since SNL. She’s fake happy.
I agree with you completely. Anne is truly talented and she has the ability to play a wide range of roles. I am sure she will be a future Oscar winner. Her ability to smile and to endure James Franco’s, “I’m better than you”, attitude speaks alot for her acting abilities. I would love to see more actresses like Anne and Bullock grace the big screen as opposed to over compensated and over hyped actresses like Aniston.
I vote for Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey
Agree that Ann is/was annoying. Can’t stand her smug, over-talkative personality
Kaboom-I was just about to write the exact same thing. =)
#11- i don’t know why you think Lainey would be rooting for Franco. he was HORRIBLE to her during their interview. He is such a douche, I just really can’t even stomach him anymore.
while anne hathaway seems like a very nice girl, i would never put her in a catagory of actors like franco. franco takes his job seriously. not only does he do a phenomenal job by getting oscar nominated, but he goes to 2 highly regarded schools to learn more. he does soaps, to learn more. he pushes his envelope.
hataway, on the other hand, makes light little rom-coms. theres nothing wrong with that, many people enjoy them, but it doesnt take raw talent or skill to pull them off. shes cute and perky. wow.
so, i dont get all the franco bashing. this was going on before the oscars. i give him credit for taking his job seriously. just because someone wants to better themselves doesnt mean they are a tool. i dont know what happened at the oscars, but franco bashing has gone on long before it.
Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey would probably be a lot of fun. Good choices.
@garvels, we all have our own opinion, but to me bullocks performance in the blind side was a joke. like hathaway, she is better suited for a rom-com. that was the worst southern accent i have ever heard and im from the south. it wasnt a challenging role, it wasnt an ‘i am sam’ movie. i never did understand why she got nominated. it doesnt mean that their movies arent enjoyable films, they are, but i wouldnt put it at a level that the oscars stand for.
I don’t know why, I so totally dislike her. I find her cheesy and sort of constructed/fake.
Still, she tried to do her best at the Oscars, so kudos to her.
@ghostbuster: I have to disagree to some extent with your perception of Anne. She was really good in Rachel Getting Married and it was a really difficult part. I know a lot of people hated that movie but I thought is was very beautiful and sad and I felt for her character. She put a lot of emotion in that role and it showed. I also thought she was one of the highlights of Broke Back Mountain. Anne has no problem standing her own in a cast of “serious” actors.
Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey to save, I mean HOST, next year’s Oscars.
They were both too young to host that event. Billy Crystal and Hugh Jackman would be FABULOUS for next year, or for many years to come.
I think he planned to skip his own party from the beginning. Yesterday on General Hospital had a line “I had to come back home, I’m not much for parties” (or something like that) and Franco’s character (Franco) has been saying lines referencing the Oscar hosting gig.
I don’t understand why he was so stiff on the Oscar stage b/c he was so funny on his Twitter posts during the Oscars.
I hate both of them so tar and feather the idiot who chose them to host the event.
Why he take the job only to bitch about it later and not give it 100% of his time and energy nobody made him be the co-host, a real professional would have gave it their all no matter how they felt about it. I think people don’t like him because he takes himself and his job too seriously to the point where he can’t laugh at his self.
Lilo & Charlie Sheen as hosts for next year’s cracked-out Oscars!!!!
According to Deadline …………
“Anne came out during commercial breaks and had fun with the audience, which may be one reason that the Kodak viewers had a better time during the show than home viewers.
For instance, right after Melissa Leo let loose with her F-Bomb, Hathaway offered a sushi plate to an audience member in the top balcony by claiming, “This is not just supermarket sushi. As Melissa Leo might say, ‘This is real fucking good sushi!’”
Good on ye Anne.
I like that idea Brin – they can name the Oscar “LL and Charlie – Snap, crack and coke”
@ghostbuster-I have seen her in several other movies, (“a time to Kill”, “The Net”,”Hope floats”, “The House” with Keanu Reeves), all different genres and she played the roles beautifully. I think the Academy Board of Governors considered the totality of her work verses just the “Blind Side”. I can see why you would think she may not have deserved it for just the “Blind Side”. Best Regards.
Maybe it was all the champagne I drank, but I thought they were perfectly fine. And she was upbeat + fun + looked fabulous. Oscar hosts always get criticized to a ridiculous extent. I don’t know why everyone gets such a thrill out of being a “tough crowd”. It’s an award show, for heaven’s sake. They’re emcees. They weren’t mean, they were efficient + fluid, + the audience seemed happy. It did seem bizarre that he was both nominee + host, though.
At least James was being authentic. Anne’s over-the-top giddy little girl in the big city act is SO ANNOYING. Just stop it. You are a grown woman. Stop trying so hard – it’s embarrassing.
I think next to him, ANYBODY woulda had a hard time making the night fun.
Except Billy Crystal.
I vote BILLY CRYSTAL 2012!!!!
The show was way overhyped! Also past hosts who did it best ALL had a background in live performing so they know how to deal… The mc’s just couldn’t take the hokey writing and crummy jokes in stride…
“Sand in his vagina” I love you Kaiser! I don’t think James did that bad. The writing was terrible.
If he’s not down with the asskissing nature of the Oscars and above it all, then why did he take the job? This isn’t the first Oscars ever. He knew what the deal was. I’m sure he was well aware of the kind of material they were going to use well before the show aired, but not once during that time did he back out of his hosting job when he had the chance.
If he was so stressed out by school, being a nominee, and other obligations, then why did he take the job? I highly doubt anyone put a gun to his head and made him agree to be a co-host.
It seems to me that Mr. Franco thought he could do it all. That he was a “Renaissance Man” and was up for any challenge and thought he would excell at hosting. He probably thought he’d be praised by the media for his amazing hosting job, just like he’s been getting fauned over for all the other things he’s ventured into (ex. education, writing, etc). I think when he realized that the show wasn’t turning out into a brillant display of his talents, he chicken out and baled on Anne instead of being a professional. All while hiding under a guise of smugness and smirks.
now that the show bombed, her people are busy working to distance her from the whole sinking boat, the truth is – they both suck!
Anne did a great job considering her co-host, thought her song was wonderful and she was gorgeous.
I would love to see Billy, Alec, Tina and/or Steve Martin. But next year it might take Ricky Gervais hosting to get the bad taste out of our mouths from this long, boring, show. We would certainly be on the edge of our seats waiting to see what Ricky would say next!
No, she’s an actress. I think she’s a Goddess. And very glad she doesn’t coat herself in orange pickling spray like everybody else.
I actually watched the videos James posted on his twitter during the Oscars and he was completely different than he was on stage. He actually seemed to get along with Anne, she even gave him a hand massage and they were giggling together over something on his phone. Maybe it was nerves? I’m not sure. But I think off stage James and Anne are adorable together. Its strange.
I think Anne did her best given that she had to prop up her co-star’s performance. I have nothing against James Franco, he’s has appeal but couldn’t he have just ACTED the part of an Oscar’s co-host? I think with a different, more upbeat co-host Anne would have toned down her effusiveness.
It was a bit rough having some classic Bob Hope with his perfect lines and the man himself Billy Crystal (if he was going to be there couldn’t he have just hosted?). It made comparasons to Hathaway and Franco that much more dire. Crystal and Jackman together would be too much in a good way.
The Oscars were long and bloated because of the writing. Good on Kirk Douglas but seriously he alone must have put them over by several minutes. I didn’t understand Anne’s musical number without Hugh jumping up to join her. And why do the hosts introduce someone (like Hillary Swank) to introduce a presenter (like Kathryn Bigelow)? Waste of time.
Franco is bad on the soaps! What made someone think he would be good as host of the Oscars? Pitiful! Ann was pretty bad too.
I agree 100% with this post. James looked like he was high as a kite.
Let me say this though, while most people would say they sucked, I think Anne rocked it. I fast forwarded through all the acceptance speech’s and build up to the reading of the winner. The only thing I did watch was Anne and the announcement of the winner for most of the categories. To me that’s progress as I haven’t watched any awards show in about 10 years.
Billy Crystal would be great to host again. Although there’s definitely been some work done on him and to me his comedy felt a bit awkward because of it.
JAMES SHOULD STICK TO ACTING ROLES.
HE APPEARED TO BE STONED.
SHE SEEMED TO BE IN MANIC MODE.
NOT ENOUGH FROM HIM AND WAY TOO MUCH FROM HER.
SHE REMINDS ME OF THE ANNOYING GIRLS AT HIGH SCHOOL.
HE REMINDS ME OF THE GUYS WHO SKIP TO GET HIGH..
BRING BACK THE OLDER HOSTS OF CLASS AND STYLE.
Olivia- I think your caps lock button’s stuck 🙂
How about this-have Anne and Hugh host it next year! They sang wonderfully together two years ago (it was two years ago right?).
If it’s true that he doesn’t like her, it’s probably because Anne seems like she is a fake in front of the camera, high maintenance actress and James is just a normal guy who loves to act and wants to learn, learn, learn and have new experiences. I totally could see how he doesn’t have patience or care for “actresses.”
james franco is not a good actor IMO.
maybe he is a good ‘artiste’ and should stick to performance art, writing, ‘teaching’ by being up his own arse, etc.
but geesh, i can see him thinking about his next lines while he is listening to his co-actor say her/his lines…
he is SO self absorbed and literally sees other actors as background for him to deliver his own ‘brilliance’…
i dont get the love for his work, personally.
and stoner, junkie, whatever he is-he’s not interesting to me intellectually, artistically or any other way. DESPITE what he thinks of himself…lol
Hathaway is a decent actress, she does bug me at times, but overall is very professional and gracious.
I have not seen the oscars or any of their performance there,b ut it sounds like it went off just like I see these two in everything else they do.
What’s all the hubbub? He did just fine. They know he’s low-key, they didn’t hire him because he’s Carol Channing 2.0!
This is bs! I saw the video he recorded, (and based on Anne’s outfit, it was shot close to the end of the ceremony) in which she was giving him a hand massage, and they seemed to be enjoying each other very much. Btw, in his pics off stage he looks happy and relaxed. I think a lot of his behavior had to do with him being a nominee and therefore getting extremely nervous about it.
It was an odd choice for hosts this year. Annie is a sweetheart of a gal and she really carried the show, because James seemed somehow nervous and stoned all at the same time. James is in all honesty a really nice guy too, but this was a really bad fit for him and I feel that Annie felt she had to pump up the volume to keep things moving. In the end, she looks like a star for saving what was left of a tragic show and he comes across as embarassed. You really NEED a comedian to host, Annie and James are great, but neither is known for their quick wit, and a telecast like the Oscars really needs that off-the-cuff commentary to make it flow.
@ Margalane,you could add the writers too, because they are the ones that came up with some of this stuff.Maybe they need to fire everyone and start from scratch or do away with most of these award shows altogether.
The jokes were terrible, but that isn’t Franco’s fault as Anne failed at the poorly written jokes as well. Anne really kept it going with her own enthusiasm it seems to cover that uncomfortable vibe James was putting out there. He didn’t give it his all, or even a little bit but I don’t think the name calling is called for here. The Academy needs performers like comedians who know how to work a crowd and pull off a show, not amateurs who aren’t ready for that gig just yet, younger demographic or not.
I didn’t watch the Oscars so I can’t be the judge of their hosting abilities, but I love James Franco’s acting lessons on Funny or Die so he will not lose me as a fan.
So what if he wasn’t feeling it. Some days you just wake up and don’t feel like doing your job. Especially when that job is watching a bunch of entitled people kiss each other’s asses and pat themselves on the back while preaching adoption from other countries and going green before they go do a bunch of coke at an expensive party and engage in group sex.
That may or may not have happened.
I’ve never been a Franco fan, he’s always seemed ‘off’ to me, none of this surprises me at all. Not at all.
From what I’ve heard come out of his mouth, he sounds Portman-esque in his elitist education shtick. (If Nat’s getting bashed for “highlighting” her Ivy-league education at every opportunity, so is Bake-o.)
From what I’ve read of the Oscar coverage, he was, in fact, extremely baked. He should have been required to share with us home viewers.
The material was awful, and James made Anne look bad by phoning it in.
He was either baked or being an a$$hole, neither of which make him look good.
I vote for Larry David (of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm) to host. He could participate in the writing process and improv., depending upon how he is being received by the audience.
never knew what’s the big deal about him: i don’t find him handsome (too sleazy), and to me, ok, he’s a great actor, but hey-many of the un-famous ones are!
and Anne? i don’t think much about her acting, and i don’t get America’s fascination… she just comes off tacky.
her super-sunny disposition just irks me to no ends. but hey, i’m a sarcastic through and through…so…
I had a strong feeling the Oscar hosts performance would go down precisely as it did….with AH “selling it” like no tomorrow; and JF being too cool for school….and visions that it wouldn’t work. And it didn’t. No big deal, it wasn’t the worst. Billy Crystal and Whoopi should do it together….she’s already “mentioned” it on her show. Comics do better.
I really liked Anne, and I wouldn’t mind seeing her again. But I was disappointed in James. I don’t know if he was stoned or tired, but he had zero energy. I think he’s a great actor, but I want him to steer clear from hosting from now. UNLESS he will step up his act.
I love Anne. She can do no wrong in my eyes.
I love CB’s phrase: “She’s not going all Heigl.” Love it.
Maybe they haven’t asked Billy Crystal to host because he’s done the same thing every single damned time. Hire him if you like, but I don’t want hear any kvetching about ‘Ninth verse, same as the other eight’ the morning after.
Calm it the hell down, Anne. Really, a fleet of tweaking kindergarteners trapped in a methodone clinc could handle themselves with more grace and composure. Luckily, the power of my groans caused my sister to change the channel after three seconds instead of five she would’ve normally seen. Looks like me and my headache were doing God’s work.
Neither of them should have agreed to host the show in the first place-they should have kept their egos in check and realized that neither was a good fit for the job. Still, I give Anne H. credit for trying. She overcompensated because James F. was so lackluster. It reminded me of when you are out to dinner or lunch with someone who doesn’t talk or make an effort so you end up practically standing on your head just to keep things mildly entertaining.
I don’t know how they feel about each other, but after watching the worst Oscar broadcast ever, I hate them both.
Maybe he should have taken Ricky Gervais suggestions.
Regardless of what Franco’s position on the Academy and supposed fakeness of it all, he was HIRED TO DO A JOB. If you’re at all professional, you do that job with professionalism and grace to the best of your abilities and then you smile and go home and rant about it. It’s not rocket science. Sure, blame also goes to the writers and producers for such a crapfest, but I’m thinking that if you think you’re such a hot-sh** actor, you then elevate the crap and make it your own. Clearly, he didn’t have the ability to do so. Some actors can make crap material shine. Others can’t and have it only show how crappy they themselves are. I think Franco isn’t as good as he thinks he is.
Neither of them helped their careers.
They’ll both still work but it’s obvious that Hathaway really, really wants to win an Oscar and Franco couldn’t care less.
That means he ultimately has a better chance.
Seriously, what were they thinking with Franco? Who did he sleep with to get the job?
They should have had Hugh Jackman with Anne. They had good chemistry together.
He obviously tried and took the Oscar host job seriously–did everybody forget about the promos!!!!
He was suppose to sing, suppose to dance Grease but the producers obviously cut out all Franco’s action at the last minute!
They sent him out in front of millions of people with nothing but a pink dress and a Charlie sheen joke and everybody’s blaming Franco???
Forever Team Franco. Live and let smoke a bowl.
Franco has always been a overrated hack!
that red dress is really beautiful
oh please– you ever host the oscars?? I know I wouldn’t wanna. seems to me something ticked him off part way through or maybe he just realized what just fell on his head. they are actors–give’em a year in the groundlings or second city