So listen to this: Not only do we already have a date for the 2023 Oscars—March 12!—but Craig Erwich, a head honcho at ABC Entertainment, said he is open to Chris Rock hosting the big night. Am I the only one who sees that as a little bit shady in the best kind of way? Or am I the drama and just being messy? Welp, just call me Will Smith then! (Too soon???) FWIW, Chris is a veteran Oscars host, getting the gig in both 2005 and 2016. So potential shade aside, he would actually be very good at this.
Aside from The Slap™️ though, this year’s show really was rather good, especially considering how hilarious the three hosts, Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall, and Amy Schumer, were all night.
Getty Images
Craig agrees. “My assessment of the Oscars was that it was really a successful year for the show,” he told Deadline. “Obviously, there was a lot of controversy, which overshadowed a lot of the positive things about the show, but I was really happy with the program. Even before that very unfortunate moment, the show started off up year over year, and we came back in a big way.”
Craig is convinced that next year’s Academy production will be “even better” than this year’s, and I am wondering how that’s even possible. “It was the biggest bounce-back of any award show this season,” he said. “If you look at what they were trying to do, which is really bring entertainment back to the program, they had three amazing hosts, clips, and incredible musical performances, I thought it was a great way for the show to reclaim its place on the mantle. There are always things to learn and we’ll endeavor to do even better next year.”
The show will still be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and air live on ABC on March 12, 2023. The nominations for the event will be released on January 24, 2023.