After a lot of recent speculation that he will host the 94th Annual Academy Awards, it appears that is not the case for Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson.
Despite rumors that the 28-year-old has been in talks with Oscars producers, Variety reports that numerous sources have confirmed he will not be the chosen lead of the iconic awards show.
However, Selena Gomez and her Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short might have a shot at the prestigious gig.
Not the host: Pete Davidson, 28, will not be the host of the 94th Annual Academy Awards due to his close relationship with competing network NBC; Pictured on November 8, 2021
Though an ‘informal conversation’ occurred between Davidson’s team and producers, insiders claim that it’s ‘highly unlikely’ he will be chosen for the job due to his close association with NBC – a competing network of ABC, which broadcasts the event.
However, the event still wants to bring in a younger audience, and they might be able to accomplish that with the help of 29-year-old Gomez.
Those involved with the Oscars are reportedly ‘intrigued’ by the idea of bringing the star and her co-stars to host the show.
New gig? Selena Gomez, 29, and her Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin, 76, and Martin Short, 71, might have a shot at the prestigious gig
‘I mean, they are an iconic trio,’ Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment president Craig Erwich told the publication.
‘They have mass appeal. Everybody loves them. They’d be a dream. That said, there’s a lot of incredible talent we’re considering. We’re having ongoing conversations with Will and the Academy about it,’ he said, referring to Oscars producer Will Packer.
It wouldn’t be the first time on the Oscars stage for Martin, 76, who has hosted the event twice before.
The dream team: ‘They have mass appeal. Everybody loves them. They’d be a dream,’ Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment president Craig Erwich said of the trio
The event will take place on Sunday, March 27, 2022 and air on ABC.
The news comes after it was reported on Wednesday that Davidson was being eyed to host the Oscars, according to Page Six.
A source said of the comedian who is currently dating Kim Kardashian: ‘His people are talking to producers.’
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Interesting: The news comes after it was reported on Wednesday that Davidson (seen in September) was in talks to become host of the event according to Page Six
Golden: The report came at an interesting time as the previous day it was reported this year’s Oscars ceremony is set to be fronted by a main host again for the first time in four years
The report came at an interesting time as the previous day it was reported this year’s Oscars ceremony is set to be fronted by a main host again for the first time in four years.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment, confirming: ‘You heard it here first.’
Meanwhile on Tuesday night Davidson was seen on a hot date with 41-year-old SKIMS mogul Kardashian as they were pictured celeb-favorite Italian restaurant Jon & Vinny’s in Los Angeles.
Loved up: Meanwhile on Tuesday night Davidson was seen on a hot date with 41-year-old SKIMS mogul Kardashian as they were pictured celeb-favorite Italian restaurant Jon & Vinny’s in Los Angeles
Hot duo: The two have been romantically linked since Kim’s SNL hosting gig in October and their relationship has shown no signs of slowing down
The two have been romantically linked since Kim’s SNL hosting gig in October and their relationship has shown no signs of slowing down.
‘Kim is so into him. [Kim and Pete] are both really cuddly and affectionate with each other,’ a source told People as another insider shared with UsWeekly that the unlikely pair are getting ‘serious’ with one another.
Davidson may face a bit of competition over the gig as The Hollywood Reporter claims that Academy bosses have ‘reached out’ to Tom Holland over the possibility of the actor doing the honors.
And the hosting gig goes to: The announcement regarding the host was made Tuesday by Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment, confirming: ‘You heard it here first.
The Spider-Man star has also expressed interest in the gig.
‘If they ask me to, I would, and it would be very fun,’ he said in December.
Jimmy Kimmel was the last person to host the Oscars back in 2018, for a second year in a row.
In it to win it? Spider-Man star Tom Holland has expressed interest in doing the honors, which is being considered by the Academy
Craig Erwich was speaking during ABC’s portion of the Television Critics Association virtual press tour, according to THR.
He provided no further details, but joked: ‘It might be me.’
It was also announced that Glenn Weiss will direct the Oscars telecast, marking his seventh consecutive time doing so.
The Oscars were handed out by celebrity presenters but had no host in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Ratings for the telecast have fallen in recent years, dropping to a record low of 10.4 million people in the United States in 2021. Viewership of other awards shows also has declined.
Ready to roll: The 94th Academy Awards is set to air on ABC March 27
ABC said in a statement that the 2022 Oscars will take place again at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Last year, the awards moved to the historic Union Station train station in downtown Los Angeles with a small crowd of nominees and guests to protect against COVID.
Nominations for the Oscars will be announced on Feb. 8.