Eddie Murphy Is Out As Oscar Host. Will Neil Patrick Harris Replace Him?

With the news that Brett Ratner has stepped down as Oscar producer, it was probably inevitable that Eddie Murphy has now dropped out as host. It was Ratner who convinced Murphy to take the job, and Eddie didn't want to proceed without his help:

“First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”

But now the question is, who should replace Murphy? He was always a questionable choice, but now the Academy has a chance to start from scratch. And we have the perfect host.

Let's face it, NPH is an old pro at this. He's hosted everything except the Adult Video Awards (and that was probably only because they couldn't decide what should go in the gift basket), and he's proven himself to be quick, funny, and able to move things along (which seems to be a problem at some of these shows).

Sure, he hasn't made a huge mark in the cinema, unless you count playing "Neil Patrick Harris" in those Harold & Kumar movies, or playing "Officer In Hilariously ill-fitting Uniform" in Starship Troopers, but Johnny Carson (by most accounts the greatest Oscar host) wasn't a movie star, either.

So Neil has our vote. Who would you choose? Would you like to see Billy Crystal back? Revolving hosts? Or how about two hot young Hollywood actors to bring in the younger demographic? Oh wait ...