Family Guy creator and “Ted” director Seth MacFarlane will take the Oscar’s stage for the first time to host the 85th Academy Awards on February 25 live on Velvet Channel.
“We are thrilled to have Seth MacFarlane host the Oscars. His performing skills blend perfectly with our ideas for making the show entertaining and fresh. He will be the consummate host, and we are so happy to be working with him,” said the show’s producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “It’s truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars,” adds Seth MacFarlane. “My thoughts upon hearing the news were, one, I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set forth by my predecessors; and two, I hope they don’t find out I hosted the Charlie Sheen Roast.”
He also recently announced the nominees – the only Oscar host to do so since Charlton Heston in 1972 – along with actress Emma Stone.
MacFarlane made his debut as a film director in the box office hit “Ted” which he also co-wrote and produced. He was also the voice behind the foul-mouthed teddy bear, the title character. “Ted” has brought in over $420 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Apart from “Family Guy”, he’s also the co-creator of “American Dad!” and “The Cleveland Show”. His work on “Family Guy” has earned him two Emmy Awards and 13 nominations. An accomplished live performer, MacFarlane has played to sold-out audiences at London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Carnegie Hall. In 2011 he released his debut album, “Music Is Better Than Words,” which earned two Grammy nominations.
The live and complete telecast of the 85th Academy Awards will premiere on Philippine television via Velvet Channel on February 25 starting at 6:00 a.m. with the red carpet/arrivals special followed by the main ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Velvet (SkyCable Channel 53) is available on SkyCable Platinum, SkyCable Gold, SkyCable Silver and other quality cable operators nationwide. For updates, log-on to http://www.velvet.com.ph/ and http://www.facebook.com/VelvetChannel.
