Eddie Murphy To Host Academy Awards Solo

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Murphy's stint as Oscar host marks a return to the single-host format the show has employed most often over the past two decades. Photo David Shankbone
Murphy's stint as Oscar host marks a return to the single-host format the show has employed most often over the past two decades. Photo David Shankbone

By SANDY COHENAP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES _ In the tradition of Bob Hope and Johnny Carson, and later Billy Crystal, Steve Martin and Whoopi Goldberg, Oscar is going back to its comedic roots with Eddie Murphy as host.

The last comic to host the show alone was Jon Stewart in 2008. A singing, dancing Hugh Jackman took over in 2009, and in recent years, pairs of actors have helmed the show.

This is Murphy's first time hosting the Academy Awards. He said in a statement that he's ``enormously honored'' to join the ranks of the aforementioned Oscar hosts.

Murphy made a rare TV appearance in April on the inaugural Comedy Awards, which Mischer produced, when the 50-year-old entertainer accepted the Comedy Icon award.

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