Oscar Producers Respond to Report that Neil Patrick Harris Was Back-Up Plan for Hosting Role - East Idaho News
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Oscar Producers Respond to Report that Neil Patrick Harris Was Back-Up Plan for Hosting Role

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101714 NeilPatrickHarris?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1414160495444ABC/Mark Ashman(LOS ANGELES) — The producers of the 2015 Oscars telecast say a report claiming Neil Patrick Harris was their fourth option to host the show isn’t quite accurate.

The Hollywood Reporter claimed earlier this week that Craig Zadan and Neil Meron initially “begged” the 2014 host, Ellen DeGeneres, to take on the role again. When she said no, the publication reported, the producers expressed interest in Chris Rock and later Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Zadan and Meron have addressed the report in a statement to Deadline.com, in which they explained the process that led to last week’s announcement of Harris as host. They said, “After every Oscar show there is always a discussion as to who will host the next one. Many names are discussed and sometimes even floated without there being any formal offers. At times, these casual discussions take on a life of their own, and some are eager to break a story without knowing the facts.”

The statement continues, “Neil Patrick Harris received the Academy’s formal offer. He is the perfect choice for the Oscars and will be the consummate host.”

Harris will host the 87th Oscars ceremony on Feb. 22, 2015. ABC will air the show live.


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