Talkback: Who Should Replace Eddie Murphy as Host of the Academy Awards?

In case you haven’t heard, the Oscars have entered a state of crisis — or a state of freedom, if you prefer. Now that Eddie Murphy is out as host of this year’s Academy Awards, let’s vent as quickly as we can and think of the single best option for a replacement emcee. Let’s break our choices into categories. We need to make sure we cover all bases when addressing the importance of introducing the Best Sound Mixing category. Dependable, obvious choices 5. Alec Baldwin 4. Stephen Colbert 3. Jon Stewart 2. Neil Patrick Harris 1. Tina Fey — It’s been years since a woman hosted, so why not invite the woman — the undisputed comic champ of primetime. It’s worth noting that Tina Fey gives the best award-show speeches on the planet. She deserves an entire ceremony in her honor. Old-school charmers 5. Chevy Chase 4. Robin Williams 3. Steve Martin 2. David Letterman (You know you’d watch.) 1. Billy Crystal — The time has come for his reemergence. He was fabulous during last year’s Oscars when the audience wished James Franco would disappear alongside that Bob Hope hologram. We’re in dire need of Comic Relief! Heretofore untapped thespians 5. Joel McHale 4. Tom Hanks 3. Meryl Streep 2. Robert Downey Jr. 1. Sandra Bullock — America’s sweetheart is an award-show dynamo, powering through self-deprecating jokes like a regular Rodney Dangerfield. She and Downey had wonderful chemistry during a podium moment at last year’s Oscars. Nuttier options 5. Mr. Bean 4. Pee Wee Herman 3. Tyler Perry 2. The Muppets 1. Cloris Leachman and Betty White — Leachman has an Oscar and White is an all-around living legend. Let’s let these two feisty octogenarians jive onstage to big band jams! Your turn. Wow me. Follow Louis Virtel on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.