Oscars poll: James Franco and Anne Hathaway were the worst hosts

James Franco and Anne Hathaway weren't merely lousy Oscars hosts — they were the worst in the last 20 years, according to the results of an online poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times' Awards Tracker blog at The Envelope.

That's quite a distinction, considering they beat two past hosts who are widely regarded as the worst in the history of the Academy Awards: David Letterman and Chris Rock. More bad news: Franco and Hathaway received nearly as many votes in the poll as Letterman and Rock combined. 

After 1,543 votes were tallied by Tuesday afternoon, James Franco and Anne Hathaway scored 42.45% (655 votes), followed by David Letterman 22.16% (342 votes), Chris Rock 20.8% (321 votes), Jon Stewart 7.71% (119 votes), Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin 4.02% (62 votes) and Hugh Jackman 2.85% (44 votes). The poll remains open, receiving votes here.

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— Tom O'Neil 

Photo: James Franco and Anne Hathaway at the Oscars. Photo credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press.

Comments

[PortTabacco]

James Franco and Ann Hathaway were fabulous as Oscar hosts!
Anytime anyone is a star at the Oscars the jealous morons feel the need
to attack these performers!

It's because no one has asked them to be hosts for anything!

James Franco and Ann Hathaway were wonderful! Young and beautiful
and charming young stars! That is what makes people green with envy!

[Monroe]

I have watched the awards since Bob Hope did them in the late 50's and he was the best. Johnny Carson was pretty good as was Billy Crystal. After that, forget it.

You can't expect actors to get up there and do a good job. They don't have that kind of talent.

[LD]

I think there were too many expectations from James and Anne and they couldn't live up to it. Also the Academy was perhaps trying to be too safe after all the criticism following Ricky Gervais's Globes hosting. Whatever the case may be, I've been watching the Oscars for a decade now and this was the least entertaining or funny show for me. Sorry to say this but James and Anne were bad. The opening Inception skit was the only funny thing. Rest was a snore-fest! The whole show was thoroughly underwhelming. Very sad.

[Lulu]

Catering to a younger demographic shouldn't be at the expense of the older demographic. Plus, what good is a poll of the younger demographic if they're being asked to compare hosts over a 20-year period? They weren't watching back then. I echo all of Aaron's comments below. And I think the Oscar organizers should take note of the passionate standing ovation that was given Billy Crystal, whom Anne Hathaway introduced by saying she now has the utmost respect for him. The ovation, to me, meant "we wish you were the one hosting, not these young-demographic hosts who bring nothing to the party except, perhaps, the younger demographic." Lastly, if Anne Hathaway had more substance, she wouldn't have needed to change her dress a hundred times. The garment doesn't make the woman. Or perhaps one could take her slightly more seriously if she had exhibited confidence in a single outfit.

[Ian Rosen]

The problem is that the younger generation has a jaded, "roll-your-eyes", kind of attitude about things, and the Oscars represents the last remnant of old-school Hollywood glamour. Acting jaded and casual, like James Franco did, doesn't work at the Oscars. Anne Hathaway had the right kind of attitude, but she didn't have someone to play off her energy, so she looked like she was trying too hard. In the future, they need either someone like Hathaway, or someone wacky and funny like Steve Martin or Billy Crystal. But they're getting older, so they might not attract the ratings.

[jonski22]

they are actors, not host. it's the Oscar's fault, give it to the right person. Those real MC's.

[Maya]

I enjoyed the hosts. I love James Franco. I am part of the younger demographic and I wouldn't have watched the show if it didn't have them!

[Yasmin Oliver]

The 83rd Academy Awards were rather dull and boring. I give Anne Hathaway full marks for trying to be a good host but Billie Christle is the best ever. I enjoyed Hugh Jackman as well although I see he didn't rate very high but I felt he was good. What I noticed as well was when the camera panned the audience there was hardly anyone I recognised of the regular movie stars you usually see at these awards, where was everyone?? The choice of movies this year left a lot to be desired as well

[bill]

even though she is a lightweight for that hosting job (lets face it) she is still one of the most beautiful women anywhere. she would be more powerful being aloof in public but who could possibly turn down that gig? whoever had the idea to put here out there like that is plain stupid. as for franco - he is a non person - i guess he is skillfull at getting invited to those all important clicquey parties in H-wood - not much there otherwise, he must be real good at agreeing with the crowd and appearing sincere while doing so. the whold world caters to the "younger gen" and is it really a better place in doing so? the younger gen is sooo vapid

[J]

This poll was so poorly constructed that it's not even worth reporting. I suspect most of those polled could barely remember the last couple emcees, and I can only imagine how much skewing this fact played in the results. A fair comparison would be to compare similar approval ratings taken immediately following previous ceremonies. Tsk tsk.

[jopsjennings]

I love both of those actors, but they were fish out of water as Oscars hosts...

[unamused critic]

I completely disagree with this.

They were marvelous.

I have not met a single person that has contradicted my opinion. I believe that they received negative votes due to their sense of humor, which was more directed towards the younger generation.

[Lily]

With Franco being a wasted, pompous piece of worthless sociopathic ----, at least have some respect for Hathaway -- she was professional and she tried. How awful it must have been to be HER shoes that night.

[Muffy]

They're just angry because Chris Rock is edgy, and doesn't bite his tongue.

[Tascha]

I missed your poll but the results reflect my view precisely. The hosting of the Academy Awards this year was so bad and cringe-worthy that I had to turn away from the TV numerous times. Franco was absolutely lame and out of synch with that hapless, corny script — and Anne Hathaway ... where do I start? She's so full of herself, and those precious conceits — just gross.

[Aaron]

It's somewhat unfair to do a poll like this, especially when Franco and Hathaway's hosting is much fresher in people's minds. In their defense, I actually liked their low-key hosting. If anyone was to blame, I'd blame the writers. The banter between Timberlake and Kunis fell flat, for example. Then you had a presenter who comes out just to present another presenter (I don't remember who exactly, but I think it was Oprah).Then there's Tom Hanks randomly talking about Gone with the Wind and trying to make a connection to the Award. And so on. Obviously, it's easier to blame the people most front and center, but let's be fair.

[Fay Kaiser]

these people are all losers. Ego, ego, ego,,,,,,overpaid, overpaid, overpaid,,,,, pampered losers. who cares what they have to say. what do they do other than read other peoples lines. PLEASE GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fay Kaiser]

Are we sick enough already of watching these overpaid egotists tell everyone how wonderful they are. When is enough enough? They need to make this world a better place. All they do is read other peoples lines. Really? Really? they are catered jerks.

[Robin]

The writers did not write them one good joke. The hosts should not get all the blame. They are both very talented actors.

[Layla]

I thought they were awesome. I have never laughed so much in an awards show ever

[caroline]

Well, I have to disagree. I loved both of them, and thought they did a pretty good job for their first hosting gigs. I think that most of the voters are just against the Oscars appealing to the younger generation.