FRANCO, HATHAWAY TO HOST OSCARS

Breaking with the tradition of naming comics or song-and-dance men to host the annual Oscar ceremonies, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today (Monday) announced that James Franco and Anne Hathaway will host next year’s presentations. In a statement, Oscar telecast co-producer Bruce Cohen and Don Mischer said, “James Franco and Anne Hathaway personify the next generation of Hollywood icons— fresh, exciting and multi-talented. We hope to create an Oscar broadcast that will both showcase their incredible talents and entertain the world on February 27.” Both Franco and Hathaway currently have films showing in theaters, Hathaway’s Love and Other Drugs, and Franco’s 127 Hours. (Franco is regarded as a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination for his performance in that film.)