Photo: NPR
Seth Rogen doesn’t get why the industry is so focused on promoting the Oscars.
“I don’t get why movie people care so much if other people care what awards we give ourselves,” said Rogen in an interview with Paul Rudd about their Lay’s potato chips Super Bowl ad.
“To me, maybe people just don’t care,” the Canadian actor and filmmaker added. “I don’t care who wins the automobile awards. No other industry expects everyone to care about what awards they shower upon themselves. Maybe people just don’t care. Maybe they did for a while, and they stopped caring. And why should they?”
The Academy Awards have been struggling to maintain popularity and relevance with audiences for years. They’ve made changes like removing hosts from hosting duties or cutting down song performances in order to gain some recognition and, at one time, considered a most popular category.
With the pandemic, last year’s Academy Awards had their lowest ratings ever. Only under 10 million people tuned in to watch.
The Oscars are looking to redeem themselves this year by getting a host. It will be the first time they’ve had one after Jimmy Kimmel took over in 2018.
The host of the show is yet to be announced. When asked who they bet to be the host, Rogan answered, “that’s a tough one,” but further speculated that it may end up being comedians.
Rogen and Rudd suggested someone “outside the box” such as Nathan Fielder, co-creator of “Nathan for You” or John Wilson, creator of HBO’s “How To with John Wilson.”
When asked if they had ever been recruited to host the Oscars before, both remained silent for a while.
“Maybe a soft conversation,” Rogen finally replied with a laugh.
“I don’t think I would be a good host,” Rudd added.
The Academy Awards winning ceremony will be broadcast on ABC this March 27.
