The Los Angeles Times reports that Jimmy Fallon is in talks to host next year’s Oscars, with Lorne Michaels possibly producing. The TV vet is a much safer bet than last year’s producing disaster, Brett Ratner. Late-night talk show host Fallon has successfully emceed for the 2010 Emmy Awards and fits the Academy’s younger, hipper ceremonies direction — as a bumpy evening last year with James Franco and Anne Hathaway may help you recall. ABC is apparently unhappy with the possibility, since Fallon’s presence would clash with the network’s spotlight on their late-night host, Jimmy Kimmel. The Times explains that “the job of selecting an Oscar telecast producer usually falls to the academy president… The producer usually selects the host.” Comedy is said to be a “priority” for this year’s show. Even though February is far away, cast your vote for Fallon below, or cast another funny figure for the high-profile awards program.
UPDATE: Deadline is now reporting through their source that “negotiations are dead.” An Academy spokesperson told the website that no one has been hired at this time. This doesn’t mean talks won’t pick up again, or that we know how much of the update is hearsay, so we’ll bring you more news as we get it.