For the first time in Oscars history, three women will be hosting the awards this coming March.
Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes have been named as the hosts of the 94th Oscars ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed this week.
The all-female line-up will be the first time the ceremony, arguably Hollywood’s biggest night, will have a host since 2018, and the first time in 35 years it has had three presenters share the stage. In 1987, the ceremony was hosted by Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn and Paul Hogan.
The historic moment was announced on Tuesday on “Good Morning America”.
“I’m not sure who thought this was a good idea but I am hosting the Oscars, along with my good friend Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall,” comic, writer and producer Amy Schumer said in a telecast.
On Instagram, the 40-year old star of ‘I Feel Pretty’ expressed her excitement:
Let’s goooooooo!!!!! Honored to be performing with these legends and Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall this was my big news.”
In a joint statement, Hall, 51, Sykes, 57, and Schumer said: “We want people to get ready to have a good time. It’s been a while.”
First time Oscars producer Will Packer said this year’s show “will be about uniting movie lovers.”
“It’s apropos that we’ve lined up three of the most dynamic, hilarious women with very different comedic styles,” the ‘Girls Trip’ filmmaker said in the statement.
“I know the fun Regina, Amy and Wanda will be having will translate to our audience as well. Many surprises in store. Expect the unexpected!”
Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment added, “Imagine having one of the funniest women in comedy today hosting the Oscars… Now, multiply that by three.
“Regina, Amy and Wanda are comedy powerhouses who will make history as the first female trio to host the biggest night in entertainment, and we’re thrilled to have them at the helm to deliver an incredible show full of unforgettable moments and laughter.”
Last year’s ceremony, held in Los Angeles’s Union Station, was delayed by two months due to the COVID-19.
ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was the last person to host the Academy Awards in 2018. The following year, comedian Kevin Hart was tipped to host the ceremony for that year, but was dismissed after homophobic tweets from his past re-surfaced.
Ratings for the ceremony have fallen over the past few years, with inequalities in the award’s recognition, such as #OscarsSoWhite, made headlines.
Last year’s show ratings fell by more than half from the previous year, which had already hit a record-breaking low.
This year, for the first time ever, the awards will allow Twitter users to vote for their favourite movie of the past year — regardless of whether the film has been nominated for an award.
Voting has commenced and will end on March 3. Users who cast a vote on Twitter will have the chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to next year’s Oscars in L.A.
This year’s show will return to its traditional venue of the Dolby Theater on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood.
Categorised as a ““super-event”, the ceremony will not require attendees to be vaccinated, however they must show a negative PCR test or negative rapid antigen test on the day of the ceremony.
The Oscars 2022 will be aired exclusively on Channel 7 and 7plus, LIVE AEDT on Monday, March 28, at approximately 12pm.