Perhaps you’ve been a regular Oscars viewer for a long time, and if you are, you’d definitely remember what went down at the 2011 Oscars ceremony. To say it was strange is an understatement. But, we can all agree that it was one of the most embarrassing nights in award shows’ history.
Getty Images | Never before did a host keep such robotic expressions during an award show
It All Came Tumbling Down…
…as soon as the hosts stepped onto the stage. Hoping to tap into a younger audience – particularly social media users and enthusiasts – the producers decided to cast young and fresh faces to host the 2011 Oscars. They were soon to realize that this was perhaps the worst decision they could ever possibly make. The night stands as proof that actors don’t always make for good hosts.
It goes without saying that many people were shocked at this casting choice. After all, these were two still-on-the-rise actors asked to hold court for three hours over the most prestigious award ceremony in Hollywood. Sure, both had just starred in recent comedy hits but, it takes much more to keep thousands worldwide entertained live for multiple hours.
Getty Images | Who can get this image of Franco dressed as Marilyn Monroe out of their mind because we can’t
Another word to describe it would be awkward. When Hathaway stepped on the stage, she glanced at the audience, chuckled nervously, and exclaimed, “oh my gosh, you’re all real”. On the other end of the spectrum, Franco, determined not to make eye contact, boasted his Best Actor nomination for 127 hours.
Too Funny to Take Advice
Oscars writer David Wild remembers thinking what an odd choice this tag-team was. He knew the press would have a field day over this – after all, a job is a job. Wild writes about this one instance during rehearsals when the tension between the two actors was completely undeniable. As far as his memory goes, he remembers Hathaway giving a suggestion to Franco, to which she received a stone-cold, “Don’t tell me how to be funny”. Clearly, someone thinks a bit too highly of themselves.
And the red flags didn’t start just there. The writer reports having the toughest time for producers to get a hold of the actor. He was always flying somewhere or just unavailable to take a call. Hathaway, on the other hand, immediately said she was on board. Her actions reflected her excitement and everyone noticed the hyped-cheerleader vibe she exhumed that day. Meanwhile, Franco maintained his I’m-too-cool-for-you stoner kid vibe, with hardly a smirk here and there.
Oscars 2011 | We can’t tell what’s more forced – Hathaway’s enthusiasm or Franco’s indifference
That’s All Folks
Perhaps this one very bad night served as a lifelong lesson for the producers – don’t take risks with the host. For that reason, the Oscars will be going hostless for the third year in a row. And honestly, after the whole Hathaway-Franco fiasco, no complaints here. No matter how entertaining their monologue is to date.
