The Oscars [1] this year are set to make history in a lot of ways. There's the first superhero film [2] nominated for best picture, the first Netflix movie [3] to break into the "real" film industry's top echelons, and, as always, at least a few controversies [4] surrounding the nominees [5]. But one of the biggest changes will be to the broadcast itself. After some back-and-forth and a scandal around planned host Kevin Hart [6], the Oscars announced that there will be no official host [7] for the 91st Academy Awards. Instead, an array of celebs will take turns moving the ceremony along and cracking jokes in between, as well as doing their usual presenter duties.
While we wait to see how a host-less evening turns out, we're looking back at 10 classic Oscars hosts who truly are the best of the best — which one is your favourite?
Ellen DeGeneres
Ever the professional host, Ellen DeGeneres [8] ran the show during the 2007 and 2014 Oscars. Her most memorable stunt? Orchestrating that impossibly star-packed selfie [9] on her second turn around.
Johnny Carson
The beloved late-night host took on the Oscars gig five times, including four years in a row from 1979 to 1982. By the time he hosted again in 1984, his monologues were finely polished to tweak at the films as much as turning the humour on himself, as he did to make fun of his own failed marriages with puns about the nominated films.
Jimmy Kimmel
Jimmy Kimmel's year at the Oscars is more remembered for the biggest screw-up in Oscars history [10], but the emcee of the 2017 ceremony held his own long before the best picture mix-up, with casual but pointed jabs at the film industry and the little-seen films nominated that year.
Hugh Jackman
You can't beat Hugh Jackman [11], who hosted in 2009, for sheer charm. Long before The Greatest Showman, he proved his chops at hosting Hollywood's greatest show with this opening number, supported by cardboard props and a surprise Anne Hathaway [12] cameo.
Jon Stewart
Not only did Jon Stewart [13]'s 2006 opening bit pay homage to (and mock) classic openings of the past, but it also playfully skewered the year in current events and film — exactly how an Oscars opening should go!
Whoopi Goldberg
Hosting the Oscars tends to be a bit of a boys' club, but Whoopi Goldberg hosted the ceremony four times through the '90s and early '00s, typically with a balance of topical humour and wacky bits (often complete with costumes to match).
Chris Rock
Never one to shy away from controversial jokes, Chris Rock [14]'s hosting gigs have typically come with gut-punch jokes about current events (see: his 2016 monologue skewering #OscarsSoWhite) alongside the usual good-natured ribbing at the night's nominees.
Neil Patrick Harris
He only has hosted once (in 2015), but boy, did he make an impression. Neil Patrick Harris [15]'s song-and-dance opener took the place of the traditional comedy monologue but kept the biting jokes coming — all to a jaunty tune.
Billy Crystal
For the modern Oscars, the host who seems to be most associated with the ceremony is Billy Crystal. Like many hosts of years past, his comedy routines have grown a little dated with time, but the balancing act between a love for the movies and a love for skewering Hollywood's sillier tendencies is ageless.
Bob Hope
The Golden Age entertainer hosted the Oscars more than anyone in history, overseeing a grand total of 18 ceremonies. Although some of his jokes read as pretty dated now, his old-fashioned humour is a symbol of the classic Oscars vibe.