Oscars controversy reaches inevitable anticlimax as Billy Crystal says he's hosting

Faced with one of the most controversial Oscars telecasts in decades, the Academy has dug out its old security blanket Billy Crystal and asked him to host for the ninth time, finally bringing an end to the increasingly wild speculation over who might take over for Eddie Murphy by just choosing the most obvious option and getting it over with already. Crystal made the announcement via a tweet that may or may not have been outsourced to Bruce Vilanch, giving audiences a little taste of the comedy to come: “Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions,” Crystal said. “Looking forward to the show.” The Academy has yet to issue an official statement praising Crystal’s past work with the Oscars, saying that they know he will do a fine job because he’s an old pro and still vital and funny as ever, while also implicitly asking everyone to please leave them alone now, but presumably that’s forthcoming. [via NYP]