25 best award show hosts
By Reed Gaudens
4. Billy Crystal
Show: 29th Annual Grammy Awards (1987), 30th Annual Grammy Awards (1988), 31st Annual Grammy Awards (1989), 62nd Annual Academy Awards (1990), 63rd Annual Academy Awards (1991), 64th Annual Academy Awards (1992), 69th Annual Academy Awards (1997), 70th Annual Academy Awards (1998), 72nd Annual Academy Awards (2000), 76th Annual Academy Awards (2004), 84th Annual Academy Awards (2012)
Memorable Moments: When Billy Crystal hosts the Oscars, it’s usually a seamless and entertaining affair, free of the modern bells and whistles. Although he’s hosted the ceremony a whopping nine times, the year that might be most noteworthy is 2012, Crystal’s most recent turn as host. First of all, he took over hosting duties from Eddie Murphy when he pulled out, not to mention, he followed the previous year’s infamously mismatched hosting duo Anne Hathaway and James Franco. Truly, the ninth time was a victory lap.
Public Reception: Unfortunately, the 84th Annual Academy Awards weren’t Billy Crystal’s most lauded performance from critics. The show opened with an awkward one-man show opening number, but other critics favored Crystal’s familiar delivery as the man of the hour. But no matter what, he’ll always be beloved by the public and a decades-long favorite.
Why They’re One of the Best: Much the like rest of the tried and true hosts featured on this list, Billy Crystal can be trusted to carry a show that often lags well beyond its timeslot. Crystal boasts a sixth sense for the role as host, and it’s what has kept him coming back to the Oscars nine times (and three times at the Grammys). Just as legendary hosts before him provided inspiration, Crystal laid the groundwork for today’s hosts to be innovative and push the boundaries.