Despite the rough patch the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences went through in November with the sudden exit of Eddie Murphy as host for the 84th annual Academy Awards, a viable fan and industry favorite was waiting in the wings to save the day.
Billy Crystal is indeed back to host the Oscars for the ninth time at this Sunday's Academy Awards celebration. Only late entertainment legend Bob Hope has hosted more Oscar presentations, having presided over 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978.
Slideshow: Previous Oscar hosts
Crystal last hosted the Oscars in 2004, when "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" dominated the 76th annual Academy Awards with 11 wins, including Best Picture.
With his return to the host the Oscars this year, the producers of the telecast, Brian Grazer and Don Mischer, are treating Crystal like the king of Hollywood.
"With Billy, we're moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history," said Mischer in an Academy statement in November. "His return to the Oscars is, in a sense, a celebration."
In the statement, Crystal let loose with the same sort of comedic flair that established him as a favorite among fans and Academy members since his hosting debut at the 62nd annual Academy Awards in 1990.
"Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there," Crystal said. "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."
More on the Oscars from Tim Lammers:
Slideshow: Every Best Picture winner, 1927-1977
Slideshow: Every Best Picture winner, 1978-2010
Slideshow: This year's Oscar presenters
Interview: 'The Artist' Oscar-nominated director Michel Hazanavicius
Slideshow: 'The Artist' on, off camera
Slideshow: Major Oscar nominees
Interview: 'Puss in Boots' Oscar-nominated director one cool cat
Slideshow: Every Animated Feature Oscar winner
Interview: 'The Help' producers Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan
Interview: 'Hugo' screenwriter John Logan
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