Hot Take: 5 Reasons Why Wayne Brady Should Host the Oscars
Getty Images Reading Time: 3 minutes
Nominations for Hollywood’s biggest night will take place this month. The Oscars brings together A-list stars as they celebrate the magic of movies. The ceremony is scheduled for March, but with the Covid-19 pandemic still interrupting our daily lives, the event is subject to change. In the meantime, the Academy Awards social media team is having fun with their fans by having them name celebrities they would like to see host, and I’m here for Wayne Brady.
Will Packer will produce this year’s Academy Awards. Hollywood executives are hoping this year the show will be a ratings hit. Besides the movies and its stars, the big draw for the night is the host. Everyone from Ellen DeGeneres to Neil Patrick Harris have hosted in the past. DeGeneres at one point had the world’s most famous selfie taken at the awards. While hosting, she was able to snap a picture with some of the biggest movie stars in the world.
With the 2022 show coming up, I’m here to throw Brady’s hat into the mix of potential hosts. Not only is he hilarious, but he’s hosted his fair share of shows in the past.
1. Wayne Brady is Funny
You need to be funny to host the Oscars. Luckily for Brady, comedy is in his wheelhouse. The comedian was a main staple on the Emmy Award winning improv comedy series, Whose Line Is It Anyway? for years. On the show, his quick wit gained him laughs each episode.
Brady also has iconic scenes guest starring on The Dave Chappelle Show. He is not afraid to take risks as a comedian for a good laugh and is able to tell good clean comedy.
2. He Can Sing
Hosting the Oscars is like hosting a variety show. Whoever takes on the big task will have to keep the show fresh and alive. The three hour telecast is often regarded as a boring award show when the wrong host doesn’t make viewers feel as though time is not a factor.
Brady is a singer who has proven himself. He has been nominated for a Grammy and he played Lola in the hit Broadway musical, Kinky Boots. Brady also proved his chops when he won Season 2 of The Masked Singer.
3. America Loves Him
I know it is a broad statement to say that America loves him, but it’s true. Brady is a much loved host viewers tune into every morning to watch on Let’s Make A Deal. Brady has hosted the show since 2009. The show has become a part of many households. Having a familiar face host the Oscars can attract viewers who don’t even have the award show on their radar. Brady was recently able to bring in nearly 5 million viewers to the Let’s Make A Deal primetime special.
4. He Knows Hollywood
Brady first made it big throughout the 90s, appearing on multiple TV and game shows. The host of the Oscars not only need to be a familiar face, but they should know Hollywood inside and out. There needs to be old Hollywood references, callbacks, both a formula that makes a great host. Brady working his way up in the business will serve as great material for his opening act.
5. He Has Hosted an Awards Show Before
There is a lot riding on this year’s Oscars. Ratings have to be a hit in order to not have weeks worth of bad press and questions on if the show is still relevant. Award show ceremonies have been taking a hit across entertainment. What was once the biggest spectacles of the year, comes and goes with not much of the same excitement.
Whoever is chosen this year to lead the charge has to be someone with experience. Simply being a well-rounded entertainer is not enough. This year, someone who has walked that path is necessary. Brady fits the requirement having hosted the 2011 NAACP Image Awards and BET Honors in 2014.
