It’s official! The Oscars are going to be amazing next February. Because Seth MacFarlane has been announced as our host for the evening.

Back in August, we heard rumblings of the possibility that it might be Jimmy Fallon, but now the Academy has put out the official press release stating that the job is going to MacFarlane.

The odds are pretty good that you’ll already know his name – MacFarlane is the creator of such brilliant successes as Family Guy, American Dad!, and The Cleveland Show, and made his feature directorial debut this summer with Ted, which broke box office records upon release, and has been by far one of the funniest films of the year.

So naturally, it’s good news for all who’ve felt that the Oscars could do with a little more comedy.

With MacFarlane front and centre for the night, the Academy are sure to pull in a young audience alongside the regular viewers, keen to enjoy his hosting duties for the night.

Frequent collaborators Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Chicago, Smash) are the telecast producers, and we can look forward to seeing MacFarlane up on stage on Sunday, 24th February in the New Year.

I can’t wait. The man is a comedy genius, and I hope you’ll be joining us for the ceremony. We’ll be keeping you updated on all the awards as and when they hit, and things are looking excellent with MacFarlane now officially set to be our host for the night.

The nominations for the 85th Academy Awards will be announced on 10th January, with the ceremony itself broadcast on 24th February. For now, here’s a look back at Brian and Stewie Griffin’s performance at the 2007 Emmys. Enjoy. (And if you’ve never seen The Sopranos, and don’t want the ending spoiled for you, look away now.)

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygGy7xAGc0c’]

 

And in related, but slightly different news, MacFarlane’s Ted is set to be released in the last week of November on DVD/Blu-ray, following its global success at the box office, turning its m. budget into more than 0m. around the world.

 

“BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Seth MacFarlane will host the 85th Academy Awards®, telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. This will be MacFarlane’s first appearance on Oscar’s stage. The 85th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on Oscar® Sunday, February 24, on the ABC Television Network.

“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,” said Zadan and Meron. “He will be the consummate host, and we are so happy to be working with him.”

“It’s truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars,” said 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.”

“Seth is unbelievably talented,” said Academy President Hawk Koch. “We couldn’t be happier with the creative team we’ve assembled. With Craig, Neil, and now Seth, we’re off to a great start.”

MacFarlane made his feature directorial debut this summer with the box office success “Ted. “He also co-wrote and produced the film, and voiced the title character. “Ted” has brought in over $420 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year.

MacFarlane is the creative force behind the television series “Family Guy” and co-creator of “American Dad!” and “The Cleveland Show. “In September he hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the first time, for the show’s 38th season premiere. 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. He also has earned 13 Emmy® nominations and won two for his work on “Family Guy.”

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®. Don Mischer will direct the telecast for the third consecutive time. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.”