In a time-slogging, minutes-eating ceremony that spanned four hours from start to finish, the 2013 Oscars were held together by three things: 1) Anticipation for the awards, 2) the music, and 3) host Seth MacFarlane. And although there will be a number of detractors that lambaste his hosting abilities and nitpick at this or that, it must be said that, unlike some other Academy Awards ceremonies, the 2013 show broadcast live on Sunday, Feb. 24, was not dull. And while there were a few gaffes and missteps (see: Jennifer Lawrence), MacFarlane joked and sang his way from beginning to end.
He even started out singing. Of course, this has become expected, a big opening production as an introduction to the evening's content. And with MacFarlane's background in music (he has an album of big band music -- 2011's Music Is Better Than Words -- he composed himself), he had no problem providing an original composition of his own. With the Gay Mens Choir of Los Angeles backing, he sang and danced around lyrics that highlighted seeing Kristen Stewart's breasts (which she bared in "On The Road").
And when the night ended, he wrapped up the show with a song, borrowing actress Kristen Chenoweth from the red carpet to help. The song was an irreverent nod to all those that had been nominated for Oscars and had gone home empty-handed. "Here's To The Losers" was well-written, pulling in Best Actor nominee Bradley Cooper (nominated for "Silver Linings Playbook"; lost to Daniel Day-Lewis for "Lincoln") and telling him he still had "Hangover 4" to look forward to. And there was tiny Quvenzhané Wallis, who MacFarlane consoled by noting that she was only nine years old and would be at awards show after everybody else at the 2013 ceremony was dead.
MacFarlane, like many of his predecessors, took shots at the longevity of the night's show as well. Nearing the night's last award presentation, he quipped that the 2013 Oscars ceremony had gone on so long, they were going to start the 2014 show.
But even with a few eyebrow-raising songs, a few jokes about Jews and gays, and poking fun at quite a number of Hollywood icons and up-and-comers (not to mention himself), would the creator of "Family Guy," "American Day," and the movie "Ted" consider coming back next year or sometime in the future?
"No way," he said on Twitter (via Reuters). He added, "Lotta fun to have done it, though."
And despite some negativity from that element that will never be pleased, many considered it fun to watch as well. A surge on social media around the Oscars saw website Fizziology pronounce MacFarlane the "best host ever."
Well, now that might be going a little too far...
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