Who should host the 2011 Tony Awards?

Yes, it’s only November and the Tony Awards are still months away. But people are already buzzing about who should host Broadway’s biggest night.

 You can thank (or blame) “Modern Family’s” Jesse Tyler Ferguson for that. The Emmy-nominated actor recently offered up his services as Tonys host via Twitter in response to a news Tweet announcing the broadcast time and date (that would be June 12 on CBS). Then, in a Q&A with the New York Post, Ferguson made his big pitch:

"I never thought I would be, but thanks to "Modern Family" I’m in a place where I might actually bring viewers to the Tony Awards that might not necessarily tune in otherwise -– which is awesome. I could use my power for good. But at my core, I’m a song and dance man. It’s what I feel most comfortable doing. That’s where my roots are, that’s my first love, it’s my home. I’ve also never been nominated for a Tony, so I think it would also fill that void of being on that stage by myself with that community of people [laughs]. Basically, everything Neil Patrick Harris does I want to do."

Ferguson, theatergoers know, is no stranger to the boards. He appeared on Broadway in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (as Leaf Coneybear, the kid with the cape) after making his Broadway debut in 1998 in a revival of “On the Town.” And last summer, Ferguson appeared in the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park production of “The Merchant of Venice” alongside Al Pacino. He even did some flash mob dancing on last week's episode of the ABC comedy.

Now, Culture Monster is without a doubt a fan of “Modern Family” and of Ferguson, but let's consider some of the other names popping up. The in-the-know chatters over at Talkin’ Broadway had other ideas, starting with Paul Ruebens, a.k.a. Pee-Wee Herman, whose “Pee-Wee Herman Show” is playing a limited run at the newly dubbed Sondheim Theatre. Other suggestions? Rosie O’Donnell, who hosted the show in 1997, 1998 and again in 2000; Ellen DeGeneres; “Glee’s” Matthew Morrison; and, of course, Neil Patrick Harris.

So who do you think should host the Tony Awards? Take the poll. And if you don’t like the choices, throw in a name or two of your own in the comments below.

--Lisa Fung

Photos: Times Square in New York/AP. "Modern Family"/Twentieth Century Fox.

 

Comments

[Bob Thomas]

Who really cares?

[Nancy]

To host the Tonys? Hugh Jackman. Robin Williams. Raul Esparza.

[Diana Moreno]

How in the world could scara paylin host the Tony's when her own daughter has never even heard of the Broadway Hit Chicago?????? You are trying to pull a funny, right?

[sara]

neil pattrick harris!!

[PT Flynn]

Hugh Jackman. Hugh Jackman. Oh, and then there's Hugh Jackman.

[Miguel]

Why do you ask about people who are not even interested in being host of the Tonys?

[marley]

MATT AND LEA. no question

[Tony Baloney]

PHONEY Awards : Sarah Palin.

[Silvio]

Phony Tony. Best Musical made from a Movie made from a TV show made from a Movie. Ugh.

[Lisa Pease]

Hugh Jackman was the best host the Tonys have ever had. Would love to see him again. But this year, I'd love to see Raul Esparza. He's electric, he's hot in his new show "Leap of Faith" (which premiered here in Los Angeles) and he's funny. But I wouldn't cry if it was Matthew Morrison and the cast of Glee. They are so much fun! Had to LOL at the Sarah Palin choice. Oh God, please no!

[Morgan]

PLEASE JOHN GALLAGHER JR!!!!!! HE WAS IN SPRING AWAKENING AND NOW IN AMERICAN IDIOT PLESE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Sandy]

Neil Patrick Harris did a great job last time, and I would love to see him repeat!