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New York Post
Steve Martin refuses to host the Oscars for a fourth time: ‘They don’t pay’
By Alexandra Bellusci,
2024-08-20
In a simple twist of fate, Steve Martin is no longer interested in hosting the Oscars.
In an interview published Monday, the 79-year-old star told the Los Angeles Times that if he were to host the coveted award ceremony for a fourth time, he’d have to start prepping “yesterday.”
Steve Martin at the 82nd Academy Awards. ABC Steve Martin gives his opening monologue at the 73rd annual Academy Awards Sunday March 25, 2001. AP
Why viewers won’t see him and Short taking the stage together?
As Martin put it, “That represents so much work for us. And we love our summers. When I hosted before, I started working months ahead of time. And now I have a completely different life. I’m not as free. It’s a lot of work, and we’re working.”
Steve Martin delivers his monologue to open for the 75th annual Academy Awards telecast Sunday, March 23, 2003. AP
The “Pink Panther” star continued, “I have a joke for the Oscars that I never used. But I always think it’s funny. I’ll come out and say, ‘I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, ‘Steve, how did you get to host the Oscars?’ It was easy. I just called my agent and I said, ‘Get me something thankless.’”
Besides the fact it would be tireless work, Martin confessed that the salary is nothing to write home about.
“They don’t pay, either,” he shared. “ The Golden Globes pay, so they get Tina Fey and Amy [Poehler]. And Ricky Gervais. The Oscars should pay. When you consider the amount of work, it’s at least several months of mental churning.”
Steve Martin delivers his monologue to open for the 75th annual Academy Awards telecast Sunday, March 23, 2003. AP
Martin also mentioned what may be the most important factor of all: “Oh, and one last thing: They have not asked.”
The “Cheaper by the Dozen” alum also took a moment to reflect on hosting the Oscars in 2001, 2003 and with Alec Baldwin in 2010.
“I’ve hosted the Oscars three times,” Martin recalled. “The first two times, I was very nervous. But I overcame it because I’m a professional. And then the third time, I hosted with Alec Baldwin and I was not nervous at all. Looking back, I realized, ‘Oh, I had someone else out there with me.’”
Something else fans won’t see the “Saturday Night Live” vet doing? An impersonation of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on the late-night sketch show.
Steve Martin, pictured with large Oscar statues. REUTERS
“I wanted to say no and, by the way, he wanted me to say no,” he explained. “I said, ‘Lorne, I’m not an impressionist. You need someone who can really nail the guy.’ I was picked because I have gray hair and glasses. And it’s ongoing. It’s not like you do it once and get applause and never do it again. Again, they need a real impressionist to do that. They’re gonna find somebody really, really good. I’d be struggling.”
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