Oscar Host Odds: No Host is the Favored Betting Option

For the last two years, there has been no host for the Oscars. In 2019, it was supposed to be Kevin Hart, but after some controversial tweets were dug up, the Academy Awards decided to go without a host for the first time in 30 years. The same thing happened in 2020 as the show employed a variety of presenters instead.

Sportsbook

Now the question is what will be done for the 93rd Academy Awards scheduled to take place on April 25, 2021. Sportsbook has released odds on who will host the Oscars, with No Host as the betting favorite at -220. That option is followed by Dwayne Johnson (+1000), Sacha Baron Cohen (+1000), Tiffany Haddish (+1000) and Dave Chappelle (+1400) to round out the top five choices on the oddsboard.

Oscar Host Odds:

Odds as of November 18 at Sportsbook

Will There Even Be A Host?

Considering the history of the Oscars, it was an anomaly for the show to go without a host the last two years. Prior to 2019, Jimmy Kimmel had hosted for two straight years and before him there were comedians like Chris Rock, Neil Patrick Harris, Ellen DeGeneres and Seth McFarlane. However, one would have to think that because of the coronavirus pandemic, the likeliest choice for 2021 is that there will be no host yet again.

No Host is the Oscar host odds favorite at -225. This makes a ton of sense because the event is likely to be held virtually. On September 20, the entertainment industry held the Emmys, the first award show during the pandemic. Jimmy Kimmel hosted the event, with a few celebrities making an appearance at the venue and making sure to stay six feet apart.

I doubt the Academy Awards will do the same thing. They will probably have celebrities read out the winners from their couches, some making fun of the whole thing while others are dressed up. This is the likeliest scenario and the safest and most practical option, since they won’t be able to fill an arena with nominees.

Who Has A Chance To Host?

One way the Oscars could go would be to have a stand-alone comedian at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the venue for the event, and simply make jokes in front of the camera. There are two people I think would do a terrific job in a scenario like that: Sacha Baron Cohen (+1000) and Dave Chappelle (+1400).

Let’s start with Cohen, who had two movies come out this year. The Trial of the Chicago 7 is actually expected to have a bunch of nominations, including best picture. The other, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, will probably not have any nominations.

Cohen has the acting and comedic chops to play different characters and make the whole event an enjoyable experience, and as we’ve seen in his portrayal of Borat, he is willing to go to great lengths for a laugh.

The other option I think would serve as a great host is Dave Chappelle. If he is willing to host the Academy Awards, there is no better person to have in this kind of situation. Chappelle vocalizes his thoughts into such crafty jokes that his standup comedic chops are unparalleled.

In a year of a global pandemic and racial injustices, Chappelle would be the absolute right choice to host the upcoming Oscars. If there is anyone who can make us laugh and also convey some powerful messages, it’s Dave Chappelle.

At the end of the day, though, I think the Oscars will go without a host for two reasons. One obviously is COVID-19, while the other is that they have done it without a host the last two years and it worked out. However, if I had to choose one person to make me laugh for three hours, it’s without question Dave Chappelle.