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@JamesEpplerAfter the misfire of James Franco and Anne Hathaway, the Oscars are looking to Eddie Murphy for a rebound. He's been selected to host the 84th Academy Awards. The director of his newest film, Brett Ratner, is also producing the broadcast and he suggested Murphy be given the reigns.
It's a good choice as long as the right Eddie Murphy shows up. We forget he was once one of the funniest, edgiest comedians out there. His concerts "Delirious" and "Raw" still make me laugh myself silly - in no small part because of the purple leather suit he wore in the latter.
But that was the 80s.
For the last 20 years or so - he's been soft and, frankly, embarrassing.
Need proof? Here's the rundown of movies he's made since 1992 where he wasn't voicing a talking Donkey:
-Imagine That
-Meet Dave
-Norbit
-Dreamgirls *
-The Haunted Mansion
-Daddy Day Care
-I Spy
-The Adventures of Pluto Nash
-Showtime
-Dr. Dolittle 2
-Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
-Bowfinger
-Life **
-Holy Man
-Dr. Dolittle
-Metro
-The Nutty Professor
-Vampire in Brooklyn
-Beverly Hills Cop 3
-The Distinguished Gentleman
-Boomerang
* He was very good in "Dreamgirls," for which he scored an Academy Award nomination, but that wasn't a really a comedic role.
** "Life" is actually a terrific movie that Murphy made with Martin Lawrence and the late, great Ted Demme back in 1999. The R-rated comedy was deeply funny, and it reminded us why we fell in love with Murphy in the first place.
So how will Murphy do as an Oscar host?
I think he certainly has the potential to be good if he really cuts loose. No soft peddling. The best hosting gig I've seen in years was watching comedian Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes earlier this year. It was brutal, mean and hilarious. He mocked the Hollywood Foreign Press, commented on the absurdity of the awards, and even took a few celebrities down a few pegs. Some critics cried foul, but I don't think Gervais did anything worse than what Don Rickles has done for years.
Murphy has the chance to top Gervais for pure audacity and stinging humor.
Or he could go the other way and just change into a different fat suit for every segment.
