Academy Awards 2025: Will There Be More Than One Host?

The 2025 Oscars are approaching, but finding a host has been a struggle. Jimmy Kimmel, John Mulaney, and Steve Martin have all said no to the gig.

Kimmel recently hosted in 2017, 2018, and 2022. But on a podcast, he shared that balancing Oscar duties with his late-night show was too demanding. “It’s a lot of work,” Kimmel explained. “I just decided I didn’t want to deal with that this year.”

Mulaney flatly told Vulture “I’m not doing that” when asked if he’d host. And Martin told the LA Times he no longer has time to prepare like he could when he hosted in the 2000s. “It’s a lot of work,” Martin said. “I have a completely different life now.”

Why is Finding an Oscars Host So Difficult?

Per producer Molly McNearney, potential hosts fear criticism in our hypercritical age. The Oscars also don’t pay, unlike other major awards shows. “It’s a relatively thankless job,” McNearney said.

So hosting is now seen as high-stress and risky, with little financial upside. As Steve Martin quipped, “The Oscars should pay.”

Will there be more than one host at the next Academy Awards in 2025? According to 22bet.com, it’s not too likely! They’re currently reporting a percentage chance of 31.70% and odds of 3.15/1 that multiple hosts will be present. Check out the site for more predictions about the Academy Awards and more.

Could the 2025 Oscars Have Multiple Hosts?

With so many big names unavailable, rumors suggest next year’s Oscars may opt for multiple hosts instead of just one. This has been tried before, to mixed results.

The last hostless Oscars were in 2019, after Kevin Hart dropped out. The show succeeded relying on celebrity presenters like Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy.

In contrast, the two-host approach with James Franco and Anne Hathaway in 2011 was panned as a disjointed effort. But ensemble casts are now common, from awards shows to Marvel movies. A team of funny stars could potentially handle hosting’s pressures better.

Will the Show Go on without a Host?

The data shows a hostless Oscars doesn’t necessarily mean lower ratings. According to research by Lynx Insights, 10 of the 12 lowest-rated Oscars had hosts. The 2019 hostless ceremony actually drew more viewers than the previous year under Kimmel.

What really seems to drive viewership is having popular films nominated. The 2019 edition benefited from hits like Black Panther. In 2022, smaller nominees contributed to less interest.

So, while hosts can provide entertainment, their impact on the ratings looks minimal. A strong 2025 nominee pool may be enough to attract viewers, with or without a host guiding the ceremony.

The 2025 Oscars march on. But it remains uncertain if an emcee will lead the ceremony. With top comedians unwilling, the Academy must decide whether to embrace a new model or keep searching for that ideal solo host. But compelling nominees may be the most critical factor, regardless of who’s behind the mic.