And Your Oscar Host Is …

The wearer of Broadway’s most glittery pants, Hugh Jackman. He’ll host the 81st Academy Awards, which producers were looking for a Cary Grant or Clark Gable type to bring back old Hollywood.

Add the LAT: “Jackman seems to be an inspired choice. He’s the “it” guy of the moment, having recently been given the full star build-up by Fox in anticipation of the release of “Australia” and even more recently been named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive.” He’s multi-talented (acts, sings, dances) and well liked within the industry. And he would appeal across all sorts of demographics: he tackled the stage in “The Boy from Oz” (2003-2004) and became Broadway’s darling, winning a Tony; he was introduced to moviegoing women in a rom-com, “Kate and Leopold” (2001), earning a Golden Globe nod; and he picked up his guy’s-guy credentials in the “X-Men” films (2000, 2003, 2006), each of which topped the box-office. And, while “Australia” has been a critical and commercial disappointment, he gave an endearing performance and has escaped most of the blame.”