The Hall of Fame—and of Shame—of Oscars Hosts

The Hall of Fame—and of Shame—of Oscars Hosts

From Critics at Large | The New Yorker by The New Yorker

March 5, 2026 · 49 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the history and challenges of hosting the Oscars in light of the upcoming Academy Awards.

On this episode of Critics at Large, with the ninety-eighth Academy Awards just around the corner, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz are joined by their fellow staff writer Michael Schulman to take stock of Oscars season. They discuss the biggest races and consider whether the year’s Best Picture nominees—many of them both critical and commercial successes—might represent a return to the bygone era of “grownup movies.” At the center of all this pageantry is the host: a notoriously tricky role for even the most seasoned performers. Together, the critics revisit the highs and lows of Oscars hosting history, from the long tenure of Bob Hope to the golden age of Billy Crystal. These m.c.s’ success hinges on their ability to walk a fine line, embodying the celebratory spirit of the evening while also poking fun at its absurdity. “It’s about that insider-outsider aspect. You are the court jester,” Schwartz says. “Are you really wanting to be vizier to the king, or are you O.K. in that jester role?” Read, watch, and listen with the critics: “ Oscar Wars ,” by Michael Schulman “Marty Supreme” (2025) “Sinners (2025) “The Secret Agent” (2025) “One Battle After Another”…

People in this episode

Hosts: Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, Alexandra Schwartz

Guest: Michael Schulman

Topics covered

  • Oscars
  • film industry
  • hosting
  • Academy Awards
  • movie nominations
  • celebrity culture

Keywords

  • Oscars
  • hosts
  • Academy Awards
  • film
  • celebrity
  • movie nominations
  • Billy Crystal
  • Chris Rock
  • Ricky Gervais

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The New Yorker

Books & works: Oscar Wars, Marty Supreme, Sinners, The Secret Agent, One Battle After Another, Sentimental Value, The Mastermind, Peter Hujar’s Day

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