Week of 2/25: Watching Oscar

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Among television's annual traditions is the broadcast of the Academy Awards, which will take place Sunday on ABC.

Having the program on ABC is another tradition, one that's been in place continuously since 1976. NBC has been the other network (1953-59, 1971-75) to telecast the Oscars.

There have been assorted hosts, but three have stood above all the rest.

*Bob Hope hosted the first of his 18 stints in 1940, the year "Gone With the Wind" won Best Picture. His first televised Oscar gig came in the first televised ceremony, in 1953. His last hosting stint came in 1978, the year "Annie Hall" won. His last, memorable appearance came during the otherwise lamentable 1989 telecast (the year of Rob Lowe and Snow White), when Hope appeared with Lucille Ball, who died soon afterward.

About seven minutes into this clip is the beginning of his hosting of the Oscars honoring films for 1954 (actually a co-host job from Hollywood with Thelma Ritter, who hosted from New York)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yE3F0XVCsg



*Johnny Carson: He hosted five Oscar telecasts with the same aplomb he showed on "The Tonight Show." Here's a moving clip, also including Bob Hope, in which Carson introduced the last appearance of John Wayne (It's from a documentary, "Oscar's Greatest Moments," hosted by Karl Malden):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob0JBcfaDgk

With a lot less reverence, Heeere's Johnny in a "Tonight Show" clip of the first "Sniveling Weasel" awards, spoofing the Oscars:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANKazBdsd_0


*Billy Crystal: After the disaster of 1989, the producers brought in comedian Billy Crystal to host - so inspired a choice, he's hosted eight times. Here's the hilarious intro to the 1998 telecast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kui6f6Urxog

Enjoy the Oscars! And until next week, Happy Viewing!