Billy Is Back

I am thrilled to hear the news that Billy Crystal will be back to host the Oscars. It will be his ninth time as host,. This is good news. It brings an end to the drama involving the prep for the show of late. Brett Ratner quitting as a producer after a slur, then, Eddie Murphy stepping down as host. Apparently, a solidarity move, but to me much more. A replacement for for Ratner was named in Brian Grazer. The kicker to me is that Murphy pulls out because he is friends with producer Ratner, who also directed Murphy in "Tower Heist." But, Grazer is also a producer listed on "Heist." All involved are no doubt disappointed in the opening numbers for their film. Now enter Billy: The academy seems thrilled with this announcement. "I'm thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar® stage," said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak. "He's a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs." Meanwhile. Grazer chimed in as well: "Like so many others, I've been eager to see Billy host again. It's very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm." And then, another producer, Don Mischer: "With Billy, we're moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars® is, in a sense, a celebration." In the end, this should not only help the show on an entertainment level, but ratings as well. Another thing that would help the ratings would be to throw in "Harry Potter" as a thank you for what the film has done for the business, and because it is good movie. With the possibility of 10 nominees for Best Picture, it the least they could do. Now, how does Billy feel about coming back? "Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions," said Crystal.